Kim Anderson Awarded Shirley Igo Award

CUCPTSA Legislative Team Honored with National Award
SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY – A local legislation group that has tirelessly advocated on behalf of
Capistrano Unified students and teachers has been honored for its achievements. The Legislation Team
for the Capistrano Unified Council of PTSAs, made up of PTA leaders from 52 CUSD schools, won the
National PTA Outstanding Advocacy Award. In addition, Legislative Chair Kim Anderson was awarded
the National PTA’s Shirley Igo Outstanding Advocate of the Year Award.
Much of the Leg Team’s award was attributed to the council’s “Shock and Awe” advocacy effort to
preserve Prop. 98, which guarantees a minimum level of funding for public education, amid the
State’s threat of major budget cuts for the 2008-2009 school year. Had funding for Prop. 98 not been
provided for this school year, CUSD would have seen devastating job losses as well as increases in
class size.
“We are thrilled with this type of honor from National PTA,” said Lisa Scharmann, CUCPTSA president.
“It felt great to know our efforts made a big difference in Sacramento, and that our work directly
benefited our students. National PTA is recognizing how comprehensive our campaign was last year
with this award.”
According to National PTA’s criteria, the “2009 Outstanding Advocacy Award was presented to a
local, district, council or region PTA that, through their dedication, leadership and efforts affected
child related policy, regulation or legislation compatible with PTA’s mission and goals.”
As the CUCPTSA ramped up its efforts to save Prop. 98 last year, they implemented a widespread
grassroots effort among parents, teachers and community members. Some of these efforts included the
following:
• Formed several coalitions and shared resources and materials with other advocacy groups,
such as the Capistrano Ed. Coalition, South Orange County Ed. Coalition, the Orange County
Ed. Coalition, teachers’ unions and other groups, to increase its voice.
• Held monthly meetings and training sessions to educate representatives on funding, contact
information for legislators, and advocacy rules and samples, so they could accurately inform
parents in their unit.
• A “Shout Out” day was organized, during which more than 1,000 CUSD parents bombarded
Governor’s and other State officials’ offices, urging Prop. 98 funding
• CUSD parents sent more than 25, 000 Pink Slips” to the Governor’s office alone, asking for
his termination, and support of Prop. 98, in response to pink slips issued to teachers;
• Substantial media attention was generated through local newspapers such as The Orange
County Register and other media as to the volume and effectiveness of these advocacy campaigns,
raising awareness.
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CUCPTSA parent representatives made five 400-mile trips in one year to the Capitol in
Sacramento and met with key state representatives to discuss ways to deal with the budget.
As part of the award, The PTA will receive two all-expense paid trips to the 2009 National
Legislative Conference and be recognized at an awards ceremony on Capitol Hill on March 12. In
addition, the PTA will receive $500 which may be used solely to cover direct expenses for PTA
work.
In addition, Anderson was honored with the Shirley Igo Outstanding Advocate of the Year Award.
Shirley Igo was National PTA President from 2001-2003 and recently passed away. Known as a
model of public service and volunteerism throughout her life, the National PTA created this award
on her behalf. The honoree is one individual who most exemplifies the qualities that made Shirley
an advocate for all children.
“I feel humbled to received an award with Shirley Igo’s name on it,” Anderson said. “She demonstrated
that we can advocate for our children with grace and dignity, and I try to follow that example
in my volunteer work. We know that for the students, our efforts are never done, and, with
more looming cuts on the horizon, we have to continue on this course to fight for them.”
Anderson will receive an all-expense paid trip to the 2009 National Legislative Conference and
also be recognized at an awards ceremony on Capitol Hill on March 12.
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CUCPTSA Award –