Opportunities are now available to join a new CCA Committee focused on our work to pass Legislation, build power and fight for the community colleges our students deserve.

The CCA Council approved the formation of the Advocacy Committee at the Fall Conference in October, separating it from the Legislation Committee and outlining its charge in CCA’s bylaws.

The Advocacy Committee will:

• Examine, research, and monitor faculty points of interest in CTA/NEA, state legislation, the governor’s office, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, and issues from local to national.
• Coordinate with Legislation and Policy committees to ensure consistent and supported positions, and with the Communications Committee for advocacy directed toward or by a larger audience.
• Organize at least one member advocacy training per year.
• Organize member lobby days at local, state, and federal levels with legislators.

Advocacy Committee Chair Denise Kruizenga-Muro

According to Advocacy Committee Chair Denise Kruizenga-Muro, the committee was created to focus solely on advocacy and allow the Legislation Committee to concentrate on the hundreds of bills working their way through the Legislative process.

“The Advocacy Committee will be working closely with the Legislation Committee to determine our goals and work,” says Kruizenga-Muro, from Riverside College. “I am looking forward to this committee beginning its work, and excited to be working with CCA in this role!”

In addition to Kruizenga-Muro, the members of the committee are Andrew Aleman, College of the Desert; E.J. Baldonado-Wilkins, Saddleback College; Kristen Dennis, Southwestern College; Janet Hill, Riverside City College; Kelvin Leeds, Rancho Santiago CCD; and Maria Ortiz, San Bernardino Valley College.

“If we organize and work together, we have the power to face and overcome challenges, to develop creative solutions, and to make the changes we want to see in our state, which can influence what happens nationally,” Kruizenga-Muro says.

Committee members will be reaching out to CCA chapters to identify local advocates to be a part of the statewide advocacy work.