Academies

Building Strong Locals (BSL)

It’s more important than ever for chapter union leaders to be knowledgeable and prepared for addressing the needs of our members. Fortunately, through its Building Strong Locals Academy, CCA is doing just that. Focused on strengthening local chapters, the primary goal of the Academy is to educate members to serve effectively at the local chapter level with confidence and a working knowledge of their rights and responsibilities. Approximately 20 faculty members from our local CCA chapters are chosen annually to participate in the Academy. These candidates will begin their exclusive training at the Winter CCA Conference, and then participate in training sessions parallel to the Spring and Fall CCA conferences. The academy was initially funded by a grant from the NEA, but is currently funded solely by CCA.

California Leadership Academy (CLA)

Developing Statewide Leaders

Created by CCA leadership, the California Leadership Academy is designed to train faculty interested in leadership positions beyond their local chapters (such as CCA Board members). Like the Building Strong Locals Academy, the CLA meets over the course of three CCA conferences. Approximately a dozen strong union advocates are chosen to participate. The inaugural class began meeting during the Spring 2015 conference and plans are to offer the CLA every other year. CLA members learn how to debunk negative stereotypes of unions, about the various leadership groups in California, brush up on public speaking skills, learn about recruitment of members from various generations, discuss stewardship, get pointers on how to run effective meetings, and discuss threats and opportunities facing community colleges.

Congratulations to the recent graduates of this year’s CLA

Sam Abbas

Heidi Ahders

Suzanne Engelhardt

Mary Lawler

Tracy Redden

Emily Wollery