REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the CALCASA Annual Meeting and Statewide Leadership Conference on August 2 to 4.

We are excited to once again host this year’s conference and bring together rape crisis centers, rape prevention programs and allied members from across California. This year’s theme is “The Evolution and Revolution of Our Movement.” After hosting last year’s National Sexual Assault Conference in Los Angeles, it became clear to us that the rape and sexual assault movement has significantly evolved since its birth 40 years ago. Additionally, our movement is now experiencing major demographic and cultural shifts that could potentially revolutionize how services are delivered to survivors from numerous communities, as well as how advocates and future leaders in our field are trained and empowered. This year’s conference theme and program reflects this unique point and opportunity in our field’s herstory/history to further advance the work each of us are doing to serve more survivors and to help end sexual violence in our state.

To register visit: http://tinyurl.com/calcasa2011

When: Tuesday, August 2 – Thursday, August 4
Where: DoubleTree Hotel, Sacramento, CA
Scholarships: 2 per agency per Cal EMA grant. (Application details will be forthcoming.)

General Agenda:
Tues, 8/2 – Morning: Position Specific Forums; Afternoon: Annual Membership Meeting and Vote for New Slate of Board Officers
Wed, 8/3 – Morning: Opening Plenary and Keynote + workshops; Afternoon: Half-day Institute
Thur, 8/4 – Morning: Half day institutes; Afternoon: workshops

Have you ever had the opportunity to meet CALCASA’s Leadership? Do you know who CALCASA’s Board President is? How about CALCASA’s Executive Director? Region and Caucus Representatives? Well, here is a great opportunity to meet CALCASA’s Leadership as well as have your voice heard as we vote on the slate for the 2009-2010 Board of Directors and a new membership structure for CALCASA’s members.

We will also be celebrating advocates around the state who have been recognized by their peers as outstanding advocates in the field as well as agencies who have celebrated their 20th, 25th, 30th and 35th anniversaries! CALCASA’s Annual Meeting will take place on: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 from 10:00am to 1:00pm at the Hyatt Regency Hotel , 1209 L Street, Sacramento, California.  Don’t miss out!!!

Every year, CALCASA solicits nominees from CALCASA member agencies for the following awards: Outstanding Board Member, Outstanding Intervention Staff / Volunteer, Outstanding Prevention Staff / Volunteer and Outstanding Executive Director or Sexual Assault Program Director. The CALCASA Member Recognition Awards Committee has worked tirelessly over the past six months on guidelines, criteria and finally the selection of recipients of for these four prestigious awards. Please join me in congratulating the following individuals:

• Robert Buelow, Prevention Educator , UC Irvine Campus Sexual Assault Resource Education (CARE) – Outstanding Prevention Educator

• Debbie Ruiz, Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Advocate, Community Solutions – Outstanding Intervention Staff

• Sherrill Nickerson, Board Treasurer, Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center, – Outstanding Board Member

• Kim Goldberg Roth, Sexual Assault Program Director, Valley Trauma Center, Outstanding Sexual Assault Program Director

Each recipient received an award and free lodging, travel expenses and registration to conference.

I would also like to thank the selection committee that consisted of Nina Alcaraz, Christine Dillman, Yesenia Curiel, Yvette Lozano, and Sonia Rivera along with CALCASA staff.