Newly Elected Trustee? Here Are Your Next Steps  

By Gerson Perryman-Liahut
Government Relations and Communications Fellow, Community College League of California

Friday, December 18, 2020

As election season comes to an end and swearing-in ceremonies begin to commence, the Community College League of California (League) would like to extend a hearty congratulations to all the newly elected trustees that will embark on a journey towards creating quality community colleges for all Californians. Now that the campaign has ended, you may be wondering what happens now? It’s time to get to work. 

The League is committed to supporting trustee education for excellent leadership and governance and offers a variety of programs and events for trustees to partake in. Our Excellence in Trusteeship Program (ETP) is designed to facilitate the ongoing education of all trustees. This 9-competency, 27-units, 1-year program supports the accreditation requirement for continuing board development and is approved by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) and the Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) and has multiple pathways to completion.

As a newly elected trustee, here are three steps you can take to improve your governance and get involved in advocacy at the state level:

First, it's important to enroll in the Excellence in Trusteeship Program. Follow this link to find all the downloadable materials needed and for frequently asked questions.

Second, register for the Effective Trusteeship Workshop, January 20-22, 2021. This is the most important League event for new trustees. It is the single best overview of responsibilities required for board members of California Community Colleges. State leaders on accreditation and governance and experienced trustees will provide comprehensive information on the knowledge and skills necessary to be an effective trustee. 

Finally, register for the Annual Legislative Conference, January 25-26, 2021. This annual conference offers trustees an opportunity to learn about important state and federal legislation and policy initiatives. This is also a chance for trustees to provide input on the League's legislative agenda and to hear from key members of the California State Legislature and their staff.

Before attending the workshop and conference, newly elected trustees are encouraged to read and review several resources that can be found on our website.

For more information, contact: 
Carmen Sandoval, Director of Education Services and Leadership Development
Email: csandoval@ccleague.org
Phone: 916-245-5034

Sylvia Harris, Leadership Development Associate
Email: sylvia@ccleague.org

Gerson Liahut-Sanchez is the Government Relations and Communications Fellow for the Community College League of California.