CCGO HISTORY From our humble beginnings in 1996, capably organized and led by Robert Tepel in a series of meetings in the homes of the original charter members, the incorporation of the California Council of Geoscience Organizations (CCGO) and establishment of our not-for-profit status was finalized in 1997. CCGO is an "organization of organizations", founded to coordinate all the diverse geoscience disciplines in California and give them a collective voice in Sacramento. We speak to them with authority in our numbers, and with the background of members with proven scientific ability and geotechnical expertise.

	CCGO Delegation in Sacramento, March 2005

Since 1997, CCGO has grown to include 17 geoscience organizations and 48 geoscience-related businesses within California. In addition, a number of valued individual contributors take the time to read and review legislation, or write letters to their legislators to support or oppose upcoming legislation on the merits of sound geologic knowledge and practice.

CCGO is confident that with our financial health, the support of our current group of dedicated volunteers, and the efforts of our new Executive Director, we can continue performing the activities that have given our group excellent standing in Sacramento and among local government agencies.

Fundraisers

In 1998, we had our first annual fundraiser, headlined by Eldridge Moores, a nationally renowned expert on the Hayward Fault. Tanya Atwater, famous for her defining work on the palemagnetic signatures in the ocean floor, spoke at the second annual fundraiser in 1999.

	Dr Joyce Blueford

Awards programs

CCGO officers have always valued the tremendous amount of work some of our members have contributed to the ongoing work of our organization, but just saying so at our annual meetings was somehow an inadequate "thank you". So in 2002, under the leadership of then CCGO President Jim Jacobs, we initiated an awards program. Each of the awards includes a certificate signed by the CCGO President, an embossed CCGO seal, and mention at the Annual Fundraiser and in a Press Release. The awards are:

• CCGO Certificate of Appreciation - Awarded to the keynote speaker or speakers of the Annual CCGO Northern and Southern California Fundraisers;
• CCGO Outgoing Officers Awards - Awarded to the outgoing officers for furthering the work of CCGO;
• CCGO Founders' Award - Awarded to a California Geologist who has made a major difference in the profession and the public perception of geologists as a result of volunteer work or community service;
• CCGO Gold Award - Awarded to CCGO officers who have shown extraordinary dedication towards advancing the mission of CCGO;
• CCGO Presidential Award - Awarded to CCGO volunteers who have shown dedication towards advancing the mission of CCGO;
• CCGO Legislator Award - Awarded tp California Legislators who have consistently advocated for sound geologic concepts in legislation on behalf of the geoscience professions;
• CCGO California Geological Hall of Fame;
  • Living Legends Award - Awarded to California geologists who have done extraordinary lifetime work towards improving the profession of geology;
• CCGO Internship Grant - Awarded to a student chosen by the CCGO Board of Directors from among applicants. This award includes $1000, and awardee would conduct research to further our mission.

Recent Accomplishments

Within the last year, CCGO has accomplished the following:

• Met with the Department of Consumer Affairs, including Director Charlene Zettel and other members of the staff. Voiced our strong concerns regarding the elimination of the Board of Geologists and Geophysicists (BGG) and the State Mining and Geology Board (SMGB);
• Contributed to the Governor's decision to withdraw his proposal to eliminate the BGG and SMGB;
• Met with Paul Sweeney and George Dunfield of the BGG regarding their planned activities and recent enforcement actions;
• Met with John Parrish, State Geologist, formerly with SMGB, regarding our strong opposition to the proposed California Performance Review (CPR) recommendations, and requested input from the Board;
• Met with Senior Staff in the offices of the California Geological Survey, requesting their input as to how CCGO could help them maintain programs critical to the health and safety of our citizens, such as the Seismic Hazards Mapping Program ( http://gmw.consrv.ca.gov/shmp/ ) and the Strong Motion Instrumentation Program ( http://www.consrv.ca.gov/CGS/smip/index.htm ), both of which are critical for safety planning;
• Met with Senior Staff in the offices of Assembly Members Joe Nation, Carol Liu, and Chuck Devore, and Senators Liz Figueroa and Tom McClintock, regarding important geologic, educational, and legislative topics;
• Aggressively supported the BGG, SMGB, and CGS;
• Sent out letters, faxes, and emails to legislators urging support of CGS after learning of a proposal to withhold funding for their critical programs;
• Talked to staff of the BGG frequently during the year regarding enforcement actions;
• Recommended the BGG have testing two times per year;
• Conducted both Northern and Southern California Annual Meetings in May 2004; these are attended by representative of large geoscience organizations and businesses. We presented five CCGO Service Awards to California Geologists;
• AEG is Currently planning the 2005 CCGO Fundraisers on May 10 (Southern California) and May 12 (northern California);
• Presented two $250 Science Awards, jointly funded by CCGO and AIPG, at the California State Science Fair in April 2004; Currently planning for the 2005 California State Science Fair.
• Hired a professional website designer to redesign the CCGO website to include a fresh new image and interactive geosciences calendar. See us on the web at www.ccgo.org , and,
• Contracted with a professional lobbyist and legislative analyst with an office in Sacramento.