Tis the season to caucus

November 12, 2010 |
Valor

Attending and participating in CALCASA Caucus meetings gives you yet another opportunity to get involved with your statewide coalition and its members from across the state that represent the California rape crisis centers.  For the month of December you will have a unique opportunity to network and participate in training that will enhance your personal development and contribute to your professional development that will benefit your agency.  The CALCASA Caucus meetings and training dates are as follows:

Women of Color –  South Caucus
December 1, 2010 in Santa Barbara, CA from  8:00 am – 4:30 pm.  For more information contact Cindy Marroquin at cindy@calcasa.org or (916) 446-2520 ext 313.
Women of Color – North Caucus
December 3, 2010 in Sacramento, CA 8:00am – 4:30pm.   For more information contact Cindy Marroquin at cindy@calcasa.org or (916) 446-2520 ext 313.
Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities Caucus
December 10, 2010 in San Diego, CA from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm.   For more information contact Kavin Black at kavin@calcasa.org or (916)446-2520 ext 305.  Click here to register.
Queer Women Caucus
December 14, 2010 in Hollywood (Los Angeles), CA from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm.  For more information contact Kavin Black at kavin@calcasa.org or (916)446-2520 ext 305.  Click here to register.
Or
December 16, 2010 in San Francisco, CA from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm.  For more information contact Kavin Black at kavin@calcasa.org or (916)446-2520 ext 305.  Click here to register.
History of the CALCASA Caucuses

Women of Color Caucus (North & South)
Women of Color Caucus was created and continues to exist for the purpose of creating a safe space for women of color to share information and support surrounding issues that impact women of color who are working to end sexual violence. Women of Color Caucus exists to empower women of color to continue working and taking leadership roles in the rape crisis movement, even when faced with discrimination and opposition. Both the feminist and rape crisis movement have been credited to the work of women in the dominant culture, whereas women of color were at the roots of linking sexism and racism through the civil rights movement and continue to lead and participate in the anti-violence movement alongside our white allies.

Queer Women’s Caucus
In the early 1980’s, the Lesbian Caucus was formed to support lesbians in the Coalition; by 1983, it was formalized to have representation on the CALCASA Council. We expanded our vision to welcome bisexual women to our meetings in 2000. In 2007, the name was changed to the Queer Women Caucus in order to reflect inclusion of transgender, queer, and questioning women. Any woman who identifies as lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning, and is on the staff, board, or is a volunteer at a CALCASA member rape crisis center is welcome to attend. Meetings are considered a safe and confidential space.


Advocacy Caucus for Persons with Disabilities
The Advocacy Caucus for Persons with Disabilities? is a prevention and advocacy caucus for people with disabilities, disability advocates, and allies from Member centers working toward preventing violence and supporting survivors with all types of disabilities, consumers, and deaf survivors.

This December is not the only time to get involved with your CALCASA Caucus.   The caucuses have in-person meetings / teleconferences throughout the year.  Connect or reconnect with your state coalition by getting involved with a caucus.  I look forward to seeing you in December and working with you throughout 2011.