Dear AFT Guild Members,
The standing committees of our statewide affiliate the California Federation of Teachers (CFT) play a critical role in the development and implementation of CFT policy. Committee members are chosen from all segments of the CFT from pre-school to the University of California. Committee members are appointed for two-year terms after the convention in odd-numbered years.
The committees meet three or four times a year, usually 10:00am–4:00pm on a Saturday, alternating between northern and southern California. All travel expenses are paid by the CFT.
We need to take advantage of all the skills, knowledge, and abilities that our members possess. Committee participation is also a good way to build activism and sophistication within the CFT and the labor movement in general. Our local generally has very good participation with many of our members taking part in this essential committee work. That doesn’t mean more can’t get involved though!
Below are brief descriptions of the CFT committees with a link for more information. If you are interested in serving on one of these committees, on the attached form at the end of this email, please check the box of the committee you want to serve on, fill out the rest of the requested information, including a few lines in each of the two boxes regarding your interest in serving on the particular committee. Please return the completed form to me via email (do not send directly to CFT or it will not get processed).
Deadline for submission is this Friday, September 1.
In Unity,
Jim
Jim Mahler, President
AFT Guild, Local 1931
Monitors issues and activities relating to adult education and makes policy recommendations to the CFT.
Works to ensure the civil and human rights of members and students, regardless of color, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, or political affiliation.
Monitors the emergence of educational technology in order to formulate appropriate CFT policy and guidelines.
Advances the interests of faculty teaching English language learners and their students.
Develops strategies that CFT and locals can utilize to encourage and train an ethnically diverse leadership within our organizations.
Higher Education Issues Committee
Identifies and monitors significant issues affecting higher education in California.
Devises strategies that CFT locals and union members can use to make the study of the labor movement a part of the curricula of California schools and colleges.
Advances the interests of contingent faculty in higher education, public and private.
PreK-12 Education Issues Committee
Identifies and monitors significant educational issues affecting preK-12 schools and educators in California.
Monitors the activities of both the California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS) and the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS).
Monitors issues relating to school safety at the State Board of Education, the California Department of Education, and other state education agencies.
Keeps the Federation and its members informed regarding special education trends and programs that affect school employees and students.