Student chapters don't have to operate in isolation. Get connected with the larger educational community in the state by developing partnerships. Develop partnerships with local CTA chapters, CTA Service Center Councils, retired members, individual school sites, other Student CTA chapters, future teacher clubs at middle/ high schools, community organizations, etc.

CTA Chapters

The California Teachers Association has about 1000 local chapter across the state. Local teacher leaders and staff can be a great resource for information about what's happening in your area including salary information, benefits, mentoring, job openings and educational issues.

CTA Service Center Councils (SCC)

CTA has offices across the state including 26 Service Center Councils (SCC). There is an elected member who serves as Service Center Chair and staff in each area. SCCs provide a forum for interaction between chapter presidents, state council representatives, board members and leaders (including SCTA chapter leaders)! Service Centers hold 4 meetings per year and provide various services (including training) to members and chapters in their area. Contact the SCTA office for the Service Center near you.

Developing partnerships

• Partnerships are relationships. Attend Service Center or local CTA chapter meetings and get to know teachers and leaders in your area. In return, they may fund students to attend statewide and regional CTA/ SCTA conferences.
• Partnerships are inclusive. In addition to attending CTA events and/ or conferences, invite local teachers, leaders, retirees or community members to speak at SCTA chapter meetings.
• Partnerships share resources. Students can be a resource to local schools, organizations and CTA chapters by supporting local issues and campaigns. In return they may be able to provide funding for resources for your chapter.
• Partnerships are joint projects. This can include mentoring future teachers in middle schools and high schools; developing Read Across America activities including teachers and students; school clean-up projects that involve parents and the community or working with retired teachers as mentors.
• Partnerships require planning.
  WHO? Identify potential partners.
  WHAT? Identify relationships, project or event.
  WHEN? Determine timeline or meeting schedule.
  HOW? Determine funding sources, if needed.
  PROMOTION! Advertise the partnership in the SCTA newsletter, campus newspaper, local CTA chapter newsletter, etc.
  EVALUATION! Conduct a survey, focus group, etc. to evaluate partnership and assist with future planning.