Over 100 attendees came to CCA’s first in-person conference since the start of the pandemic. The Spring Conference was filled with joy, hope, energy and a renewed commitment to empower each other, build strong and effective coalitions, promote equity and preserve quality public education.

From spring elections to membership recognitions to We Honor Ours (WHO) awards, it was a much-needed reunion after so much time apart. Members also got the opportunity to attend sessions from membership engagement to bargaining in order to sharpen advocacy skills at every worksite.

“I am part of the California Leaders Academy, and I thought attending this conference would be a great opportunity. My favorite moment of the conference was the membership game, and we got to learn more about NEA and CTA and the structure,” said Heidi Ahders, a computer science instructor at Mendocino Lake Community College and member of the Mendocino Community College Part-Time Faculty Association.

“I was vice president last year, and I started going to conferences online. It’s neat to see people in-person and have a conversation, rather than in a box.”

– Heidi Ahders, Mendocino Lake Community College

“Having folks back is a great opportunity to be with colleagues and learn more updated tools and best practices. Bargaining tools and knowing how to leverage them are really important,” said Elias Escamilla, an academic counselor at Mt. San Jacinto Community College and member of the Mt. San Jacinto College Faculty Association.

“I wanted to come to the conference because it was in person, and that was exciting. I’ve been very active way before the pandemic.”

– Elias Escamilla, Mt. San Jacinto Community College