MEMBER FOCUS
99th Annual Conference recap
Delegates Return to Reno for 99th Annual Conference
Nearly 2,000 delegates, visitors, and guests embarked on six days full of growth, union pride, and conducting the important business of our Union at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV.
Strength and unity were at the forefront of CSEA’s 99th Annual Conference, held July 20th through July 25th. CSEA has overcome many battles and obstacles in the last 99 years, and our strength is needed now more than ever to overcome attacks against public education and working families.
“We are ready for this, and now we must rise to meet the moment,” Association President Adam Weinberger said in his State of the Union address.
“We have the power to stop this,” Weinberger said. “We have the passion to fight for something better. We have the tools to fight back and the vision to chart a better path. And most importantly, we have each other!”
Union Power Takes Center Stage with Inspiring Speakers
The speakers at CSEA’s 99th Annual Conference were nothing short of electric. Delegates heard powerful testimony from two of the labor movement’s most iconic voices: American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley and California Federation of Labor Unions President Lorena Gonzalez, whose words brought attendees to their feet.
Keynote speaker Kath Koschel imparted lessons of resilience and the human spirit. Recognizing that CSEA members are facing unprecedented times, she emphasized how they show up for others: “If you want more kindness in the world, put it there.”
Delivering an exhilarating closing keynote address, Tennessee State Representative Justin Jones called on delegates to harness the power of organizing and meet the urgency of the moment.
“We must organize because the unrelenting assault on labor, on public education, on our school systems, on our freedom to learn is at stake,” Jones said. “Each of you here is a testament to the power of community and the strength of the union lies in the collective power of its members.”
“We must organize because the unrelenting assault on labor, on public education, on our school systems, on our freedom to learn is at stake.”
- Justin Jones, Tennessee State Representative
Education Days Bring Three Days of Learning
Protecting the future also means strategies for how members can learn, grow and leave Conference week equipped with tools to carry forward. Education Days classes are an essential and empowering part of Annual Conference that meets this need.
Offerings this year gave delegates future-thinking ideas, strategies to get involved, how to combat compassion fatigue, learn about the budget, recognize and avoid bias, and more. Delegates especially enjoyed classes that covered current and relevant topics, such as the dismantling of the Department of Education, being an ally to transgender students, and how to deal with artificial intelligence in the workplace.
Ed Days gets the morning going “like how you need your morning coffee, I just needed that morning motivation to get the session going,” said Rodrigo Blanquel, member of Rowland Chapter 133.
Pass the Bucket
In a week that focused a large part on the need to act against current threats to public education, delegates took time Friday morning to show tremendous love and support for their union siblings. The annual “Pass the Bucket” fundraiser, along with other Conference contributions, raised $104,947.19 for the Dorothy Bjork Assistance Fund to provide financial assistance to union siblings in need.
Presentation of Awards
CSEA members understand the extraordinary contributions classified employees make every day, which is one of the reasons the annual Conference award presentations are so special. Throughout Conference members were honored for their efforts to make a difference in their schools, community and CSEA. Click the links to read more about each award winner.
- Honor Roll Placements: Rebecca Rangel Hadley, Charlotte Brothwell, and Elizabeth “Beth” Saldaña
- Member of the Year Award: Katie Cain and Tania Kalemkiarian
- William P. Schwartz Humanitarian Award: Janet Leija
- Richard C. Bartlett Activist of the Year Award: Parker Shankin-Clarke
- Laurence Twoaxe Unity Award: Andrew Parra
- Victory Club Circle of Stars Award : presented to six chapters this year, including two chapters with 100% membership
- Walter J. Blice “Wally” Award: Linda Aguiar
- Membership Unity Program Award: Pajaro Valley Chapter 132
- Communication Awards: Seija Rohkea, Michelle Deibner and Katy Kellers
Find full profiles on each award winner at csea.com/awards.
2025 Resolutions
Delegates voted on 2 resolutions brought to the floor for consideration.
Resolution No. 1: 100 Days of Half Pay
This resolution was defeated
Resolution No. 2: was withdrawn by the authoring chapter. Therefore, Resolution No. 2 is not reported for Conference action.
Resolution 3: Adjustment of Per Diem Allowance for Association (CSEA) Business Travel
This resolution was adopted
Looking Forward to 100!
Delegates left Reno empowered and committed to fight for public education. After hearing from inspiring keynote speakers, exercising their union’s democracy, and networking with nearly 2,000 union siblings, this year’s delegates are already looking forward to next year’s 100th Annual Conference in Las Vegas.
“Being here in person with everybody is a great experience,” said Fauzi Hamadeh member of San Mateo CCD Chapter 33. “Anyone who has the chance to come to Conference should come to Conference.”
CSEA’s 100th Annual Conference will be held July 26-30, 2026, in Las Vegas, NV.
To find more highlights for the 99th Annual Conference, news, videos, photos, and more, check out csea.com/conference.