Cal Blooms

About Our Chapter

NCL, Inc., Cal Blooms Chapter is a group of mothers and daughters who have come together in a commitment to community service, leadership development and cultural experiences.
Members shall reside in the city of Lafayette, Moraga or Orinda. Like all NCL, Inc. Chapters, Cal Blooms aims to foster the mother-daughter relationship by serving its communities together.

Established in 2025, Cal Blooms brings together 114 dedicated members. We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive, and spirited group, committed to fostering relationships, building leadership, and cultivating a lifelong love of service.

We are passionate about building genuine connections and emphasizing the mother–daughter bond at the heart of every NCL chapter. Our daughters, known as Ticktockers, represent a mosaic of local schools—including Acalanes High School, The Athenian School, Campolindo High School, Joaquin Moraga Middle School, Miramonte High School, The Seven Hills School, The Springstone School, and Stanley Middle School.

Founded on the principles of hands-on volunteering, true engagement, and giving daughters the chance to lead while mothers support, Cal Blooms embodies a welcoming, growth-focused culture. We invite every family to experience the joy of serving together, learning together, and giving back—side-by-side.

What Makes Us Special

  • Inclusive and Community-Focused: We value every member’s story and offer a welcoming environment for all mothers and daughters from the Lamorinda area
  • Personal Growth & Leadership: Every Cal Blooms member—mother and daughter—has the chance to grow by taking on leadership roles, guiding service projects, and shaping the future of our chapter
  • Joyful Engagement: Our community thrives on active hands-on participation, laughter, and the shared excitement that comes from making a difference as a team

Our Three Pillars

The NCL Experience Core Program for mothers and daughters (7th – 12th Grades) is built on three main pillars:

  • Philanthropy: Our desire is to understand and serve our communities in partnership with local and national non-profits
  • Leadership: Our intent is to build capable courageous leaders through opportunities to learn, reflect, and develop
  • Culture: Our goal is to preserve NCL traditions and core values while appreciating the growth that comes from connecting with different communities and cultures

The Ticktocker (Daughter) Experience

Our Ticktocker program offers young women the chance to:

  • Serve Others: Discover the joy of community service
  • Leadership Development: Hold officer roles and participate in leadership training
  • Personal Growth: Develop life skills, maturity, confidence, and compassion
  • Cultural Awareness: Respect and appreciate diverse traditions
  • Friendship: Make friends through safe, comfortable, and age-appropriate chapter activities

The Patroness (Mother) Experience

As Patronesses, we focus on:

  • Mother-Daughter Bonding: Spending meaningful time with our daughters, guiding them, and supporting their growth through shared service and experiences
  • Community Service: Modeling a heart for service and experiencing the joy of giving back alongside our daughters as we support local philanthropies
  • Friendship: Building genuine connections with other women in our community through shared purpose, social events, and collaboration
  • Leadership Development: Taking on roles that strengthen our chapter, support our daughters’ growth, and allow us to contribute our talents to the Cal Blooms mission
  • Personal Enrichment: Growing individually through new experiences, workshops, speakers, and opportunities that inspire confidence, purpose, and lifelong learning
  • Chapter Stewardship: Helping shape the culture, traditions, and future of Cal Blooms as we lay the foundation for a vibrant, lasting chapter

Join Our Chapter

Interested in joining our chapter? Membership opportunities are dependent on chapter openings.

Please complete the Membership Inquiry Form so we can contact you directly. If you know a current chapter member, feel free to reach out to them as well to learn about getting started.

Membership Inquiry Form

For any questions regarding Membership, requests for transfers or assistance with connecting as a Sustainer, email us.

 

For questions about membership please email us at membershipcalblooms@nclonline.org

To stay informed and receive updates throughout the membership process, we also encourage you to complete our Prospective Member Interest Form

We look forward to connecting with you and sharing more about Cal Blooms. Your journey with us can begin here.

Why Join Cal Blooms?

  • Deepen your mother-daughter connection during these formative years
  • Support your daughter’s growth into a confident and compassionate leader
  • Build lasting friendships and meaningful connections with local families
  • Serve causes that matter right here in the Lamorinda area
  • Join a chapter rooted in purpose, growth, and joy

At Cal Blooms, we empower mothers and daughters to grow together as confident, well-rounded contributors who make a positive impact in their communities. 

Who Can Join?

  • Eligibility: Mothers (or female guardians) and their daughters entering 7th, 8th or 9th grade in the 2027–2028 school year
  • Residency: Must reside in Lafayette, Moraga, or Orinda

 Membership Commitment

NCL is a six-year commitment (7th – 12th grade) designed to support consistent growth and leadership development.

  • Mothers must attend a minimum of 5 meetings minimum per year
  • Daughters must attend a minimum of 6 meetings minimum per year
  • Members must complete 15 philanthropy hours and 10 leadership hours annually
  • Each member holds a chapter role each year
  • Mothers hold at least one leadership position during their tenure_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For additional details, please review our Membership FAQs.   

Mothers and their daughters (grades 7-12) participate in a program that embraces:

Community Service

We understand and serve communities in partnership with local and national nonprofits. Each NCL, Inc. chapter promotes social awareness by considering the local community’s needs and selecting appropriate non-profit organizations to support through different volunteer activities.

We work with the following philanthropies:

  • Alzheimer’s Association
  • American Heart Association
  • American Red Cross
  • Disaster Response
  • Feeding America
  • National Day of Service
  • Operation Gratitude
  • The Kindness Campaign

 

In addition to our national philanthropy partners listed above, below are some of the local philanthropies we also work with:

Breakthrough T1D

Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area

Grateful Gatherings

Hope Solutions

Lamorinda Village

Merrill Gardens

Mindful Littles

Sustainable Lafayette


Leadership Development

We build capable, courageous leaders through opportunities to learn, reflect and develop. Our leaders become successful in their education, career and communities by learning the necessary skills during their NCL experience.

Examples of skills developed include:

  • Confidence
  • Consensus building
  • Team building
  • Conflict resolution
  • Event planning
  • Parliamentary procedure

Our Chapter Board of Directors:

  • President: Courtney Griffin
  • President Elect: Jill Krimmel
  • Secretary: Stephanie Russell
  • Treasurer: Claudia Winter
  • Parliamentarian: Lynn Spiegel
  • Vice President Communications: Dariana Ross
  • Vice President Membership: Amy Coombe
  • Vice President Philanthropy: Dariana Ross
    Lacey Deal
  • Vice President New Members: Alexis Thompson
  • Vice President Ticktockers: Lacey Deal
  • Vice President Chapter Engagement and Inclusion: Erin Roth

Patroness Leadership

Patronesses have various leadership opportunities, including:

  • Board Positions: Serving as officers such as President, Vice President, Treasurer, etc.
  • Grade Level Advisors (GLAs): Supporting Ticktocker classes
  • Event Co-Chairs: Leading and organizing chapter events
  • Committee Members: Participating in tasks and projects for the chapter

These roles allow Patronesses to contribute to the chapter’s success, foster community service, and strengthen the mother-daughter bond.

Ticktocker Leadership Development

Each Ticktocker class has Board Officers and Committee Members. The Ticktockers are trained in parliamentary procedure and conduct their own meetings, with the support of Patronesses known as Grade Level Advisors (GLAs).

Each Ticktocker class year will focus on different areas of leadership development, such as conducting meetings, organization skills, goal setting, public speaking, career building, and personal finance management. Activities of our Chapter include:

  • 7th Grade: Role Modeling, Strength Finding, Self Talk, and Self Care
  • 8th Grade: Being Kind Leaders, Boundaries, and High School Preparation
  • 9th Grade: Brain health, Delegation and Fellowship, and Self Care Essentials
  • 10th Grade: Being Kind Leaders, Presentations, and Budgeting
  • 11th Grade: Safety and Self Defense, Patroness Connections, and Networking
  • 12th Grade: Historical and Current Influences, Preparing for College, and Independent Living

Cultural Experiences

We preserve National Charity League traditions and core values, while appreciating the growth that comes from connecting with different communities and cultures. We continually strive to build stronger ties with our communities and the individuals within them. It is through this understanding that we grow and develop broader worldviews that will shape and support our lives.

  • Traditions – We celebrate the richness of our history through traditions that honor the past while serving the future.
  • Values – We embrace values that make us strong as an organization of mother-daughter leaders.
  • Community Connections – We build connections through experiences that impact our communities.
  • Etiquette – We encourage and mentor kind, respectful and gracious social conduct.

We participate in a variety of community events and activities that broaden our perspectives and strengthen our commitment to empathy and inclusion. Whether we’re exploring the arts, discussing diversity, or learning about tolerance, each experience helps us grow. We also place a strong emphasis on social and business etiquette, good manners, and respect for others. These activities are part of our Core Program, which guides us in developing leadership skills, serving our community, and growing personally. Through these meaningful experiences, we aim to become confident, compassionate leaders who are ready to make a positive impact on the world around us.

Cultural Experience By Class:

  • 7th Grade: Theatre/Musicals
  • 8th Grade: Horticulture/Flowers
  • 9th Grade: Museum
  • 10th Grade: Culinary/Cuisine
  • 11th Grade: Dance
  • 12th Grade: World Culture

The six-year journey with NCL, Inc. culminates in a memorable Senior Recognition Night, celebrating six years of growth, dedication to philanthropy, and the enduring mother-daughter bond. This special event honors senior members and their mothers for their service and commitment to NCL, Inc. 

Thank you for your interest in our NCL, Inc., Cal Blooms Chapter. Please reach out if we can help with anything at membershipcalblooms@nclonline.org.