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Be Part of the Community!

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NYSCAA has many networking opportunities, which are open to staff working at any Community Action Agency across the state. We encourage you to join one of the groups to connect with your peers to share ideas and concerns with other CA staff across the state!

The main types of networking opportunities are:

  • Affinity Groups: The groups formed based on position in CAA (HR, finance) or job responsibilities (senior services, volunteer engagement)
  • Communities of Practice: Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly. Members share a common interest, engage in joint activities, and have ongoing, sustained interaction over time.

Below, you will find a brief description of each.

Affinity Groups:

An affinity group is formed around a shared interest or common goal. NYSCAA offers the following affinity groups to all CA staff.

NYSCAA creates opportunities for members of the affinity groups to meet in person at NYSCAA in-person events, in addition to regular Zoom meetings. There is no application process for Affinity Groups.

Click here to join!

60th Community Action Anniversary Workgroup:

  • The 60th Anniversary Workgroup will collaborate to develop materials and plan celebrations in honor of Community Action's 6 decades of service to the community.
  • Meets Monthly
  • Questions? Please reach out to Charlie Barbay at [email protected]

AI Affinity Group:

  • Comprised of Community Action agency staff interested in learning more about how CAA Agencies can use Artificial Intelligence. No technical experience is necessary!
  • Meets via Zoom monthly
  • Questions? Please reach out to Phoebe Schimpf at [email protected]

Community Action Book Club:

  • Comprised of Community Action agency staff interested in reading interesting and thought-provoking books and having lively discussions.
  • Meets via Zoom monthly
  • Facilitator: Nicole Laurin, JCEO of Clinton and Franklin Counties, Inc.
  • Questions? Please reach out to Jackie Orr at [email protected]

CAPTAIN:

  • Comprised of CAPTAIN (CAP Systems) software administrators and users
  • Exchanges ideas and questions for an immediate response via email List-serv
  • Meets via Zoom monthly
  • Questions? Please reach out to Phoebe Schimpf at [email protected]

CAP60:

  • Comprised of CAP60 software administrators and users
  • Exchanges ideas and questions for an immediate response via email List-serv
  • Questions? Please reach out to Phoebe Schimpf at [email protected]
*NEW! - Communications:
  • Comprised of Community Action agency staff, this group will develop a plan to build awareness of the Community Action Network in NY, increase the exposure of the network, and create a statewide message.
  • Meeting Schedule TBD
  • Questions? Please reach out to Charlie Barbay at [email protected]

Executive Assistants:

  • Comprised of CA Executive Assistant Professionals
  • Exchanges ideas and questions for an immediate response via email List-serv
  • Meeting schedule via Zoom TBD
  • Facilitators: Melinda Daniels, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee; Liz Campbell, Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc.
  • Questions? Please reach out to Heidi Barcomb at [email protected]

Finance:

  • Comprised mainly of CA Finance Professionals
  • Exchanges ideas and questions for an immediate response via email List-serv
  • Meets via Zoom quarterly
  • Facilitators: Nancy Turo, PEACE, Inc.
  • Questions? Please reach out to Charlie Barbay at [email protected]

*NEW! - Housing

  • Comprised of CAA staff who work in housing.
  • Exchanges ideas and questions for an immediate response via email List-serv
  • Meeting Schedule TBD
  • Facilitators: David Dodge, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee; Katelyn Autry-Agen, St. Lawrence County Community Development Program, Inc.
  • Questions? Please reach out to Heidi Barcomb at [email protected]

Human Resources:

  • Comprised mainly of CA Human Resource Professionals
  • Exchanges ideas and questions for an immediate response via email List-serv
  • Meets via Zoom every other month
  • Facilitators: Matt Bull, Pro Action of Steuben and Yates, Inc.; Mary Jarvis-Cairo, LEAP
  • Questions? Please reach out to Phoebe Schimpf at [email protected]

Information Technology:

  • Comprised mainly of IT Professionals
  • Exchanges ideas and questions for an immediate response via email List-serv
  • Questions? Please reach out to Phoebe Schimpf at [email protected]
Social Justice Committee:
  • Comprised mainly of CA staff from across the state
  • Exchanges ideas and questions for an immediate response via email List-serv
  • Meeting schedule via Zoom Monthly
  • Questions? Please reach out to Jackie Orr at [email protected]

Communities of Practice (CoP):

What do the Communities of Practice (CoP) look like?
CoP meetings take place online and include diverse staff from CAAs in New York. Each CoP meeting can be up to 90 minutes long and take place via Zoom. It is also expected that NYSCAA will create opportunities for CoP members to meet at NYSCAA events, specifically the annual Professional Development Conference.

Who can be a CoP participant?
CoPs are open to CAA staff in NY. The CoPs are developed on the belief that regardless of a person’s formal role in a CAA, we all have valuable knowledge to share and learning to do. The CoPs are designed to leverage connections and open conversations that might not otherwise occur. Those interested in participating should complete a short application. Links are provided below.