Affinity Groups are a great way to learn more about a common purpose or vocation and share knowledge and expertise. CalCAPA Affinity Groups invite the staff and board members of CSBG-funded agencies to convene periodically for discussions, training, and relevant professional speakers.

Fill out the application below to apply for one or more Affinity Groups.

The Comms Affinity Group is for all new and existing communications personnel in Community Action. Communications are important for building stronger communities and organizations. Some of the topics we will focus on include:

  • Community growth and outreach
  • Social media strategy
  • News/media outlet outreach
  • Networking

Meetings are on Mondays at 11:00 AM. Please register below. If your agency has no designated communications team but you would like to join, please register or email jcoxe@calcapa.org and we will work with you as best we can.

The Finance Group welcomes any new or future CSBG accounting professionals who work for a CSBG-funded agency. Subject matter for this group includes:

  • CSBG Accounting Rules
  • Nonprofit accounting best practices
  • Public Agency accounting best practices
  • Updates to fiscal policy
  • Related state and federal advocacy efforts

2024 Meetup Schedule*

January 30, 2024 – Budgets

April 23, 2024 – Board Reporting

July 23, 2024 – Quickbooks Online

October 29, 2024 – Negotiating Grant Terms

*Schedule subject to change.

The Human Resources (HR) Group welcomes any new or future HR professional that belongs to a CSBG-funded agency. Subject matter for this group includes:

  • CSBG Human Resource Rules
  • Agency Workforce Development Programs
  • Nonprofit HR best practices
  • Public Agency HR best practices
  • Personnel Management
  • Updates to HR policy
  • Related state and federal advocacy efforts

2024 Meetup Schedule*

January 30, 2024 – Training for Entry Level Management

April 24, 2024 – AI Tool Awareness

July 24, 2024 – Labor for Managers and HR

October 30, 2024 – Popular Legal Issues

*Schedule subject to change

The Planning Group welcomes any new or future CSBG planning professional that belongs to a CSBG-funded agency. Subject matter for this group includes:

  • CSBG Strategic Planning Rules
  • Data collection and analysis support
  • Nonprofit planning best practices
  • Public Agency planning best practices
  • Updates to policies that affect Strategic Planning
  • Related state and federal advocacy efforts

2024 Meetup Schedule*

February 8, 2024 – Upper Management Transitions

April 25, 2024 – Logic Models and Implementation

September 25, 2024 – Misconceptions about Org Standards

October 31, 2024 – Annual Report Data for CAPlanning

*Schedule subject to change.

The New Executive Director (ED/CEO) Group welcomes any new or future CSBG Senior Director who belongs to a CSBG-funded agency. Subject matter for this group includes:

  • CSBG Rules
  • Leadership skill growth and development
  • Community Action Institutional Knowledge
  • Nonprofit leadership best practices
  • Public Agency leadership best practices
  • Related state and federal advocacy efforts

2024 Innovation for Impact Schedule*

February 27, 2024 – Funding Streams

April 9, 2024 – Strategic Plan

July 9, 2024 – Succession & Sustainability

August 13, 2024 – Narratives & Storytelling

October 8, 2024 – Enhanced Community Assessment

December 10, 2024 – Year in Review

*Schedule subject to change

 

CalCAPA formed California’s Young Professionals Affinity Group (YPAG) in response to a similar group forming at the national level for Community Action personnel. The groups are not officially linked, however, the California chapter of YPAG makes efforts to align with the national group when applicable.

 

About half of California’s Community Action Agencies are considered Public. This group meets in a roundtable format on a quarterly basis to discuss issues that uniquely affect public agencies. Group members also leverage the group email to ask questions of peers and share solutions and resources pertaining to operating a public agency.