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Graduates of CCA’s second Academy for Building Strong Locals include (from left), Alejandro Garcia of Palo Verde College, Tom Moran of Bakersfield College, Mark Carpenter of Riverside College, Mike Javanmard of Rio Hondo College, Jeanna Fox of San Joaquin Delta College, Pam Boyles of Bakersfield College, Ann Wright of Hartnell College, Caroline Dawson of Merced College, and Jennifer Mendoza of San Bernardino College. |
There was something for everyone at CCA’s Winter Advocacy Conference – a welcome back to “History Making” former presidents, an introduction of emerging leaders, a rousing presentation on Union Principles, and workshops on everything from the state budget to trainings in negotiations and grievances.
In a moving “State of the Union” address, CCA President Ron Norton Reel detailed his upbringing as one of 11 children of farm laborers who followed the crops around the state. Reel reported being inspired by a teacher who tutored him at home after he had been bedridden from Rheumatic Fever. Despite his humble beginnings, Reel went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree, a teaching credential, an administrative credential, a minister’s license, a master’s degree, and a Ph.D. Those early experiences also led him to become a strong advocate for community colleges.
Challenges for colleges
After chronicling his personal challenges, Reel discussed the challenges that face California’s community colleges, including the state’s $16 billion budget deficit and the governor’s proposals to cut a staggering $4.8 billion from K-14.
“The Governor proposes suspending Proposition 98 for the 2008-09 fiscal budget year; thus eliminating any minimum funding requirement for K-12 and Community Colleges,” Reel said, noting that community colleges could expect a $483 million reduction compared to the projected budget growth they need.
Reel spoke of the need for forthcoming CCA/CTA legislation that will guarantee that community colleges received the full 11 percent of the funding from Prop. 98 that they were promised.
“It is time we let our California Legislators know to stop using the money designated to the community colleges to help balance the budget,” he said.
(To read Reel’s speech, go to www.ccafca.org)
New leaders emerge
Also on Saturday’s agenda was the introduction of nine graduates of CCA’s second Academy for Building Strong Locals, a yearlong program that provides union and leadership training to emerging campus leaders.
CCA members were immersed in union ideals right from the beginning of the conference, with a presentation by Dan Koen, a CTA staff member who led the group in “Inspiration 101” which featured union principles through voice, song and film.
Said one participant later, “It provided ideal vision/perspective of what it means to be in the union. The principles of unity and solidarity were a great reminder for me, which I took to every workshop.”