To begin, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to our members and colleagues who were recognized for their heroism and courage at the CDCR’s 39th annual Medal of Valor awards ceremony in September. We applaud all the medal recipients for going above and beyond in service to their institutions and communities. For more on the ceremony and honorees, read Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer Mary Towe’s feature.

In organizational news, I’m happy to share that the New Chapter Presidents Training and Orientation that we held in September was a huge success. It was a great opportunity for our new and seasoned chapter presidents to network and collaborate with one another and get acquainted with the office staff here at CCSO Headquarters. I was honored to speak to attendees and share my personal journey with CCSO and goals for the future of the organization. If you missed the event, be sure to check out CSATF Chapter President Christian Gray’s article for his insights on the training. We look forward to making this a recurring event for our new chapter presidents.

On November 15, CCSO hosted an SRN II Power Meeting, led by State Board member Javier Covarrubias, bringing supervising registered nurse members together at headquarters to address pressing challenges within the Department. Key topics included cross-covering and staffing shortages, the critical role of documentation, policy development and enforcement, seniority and vacation policy concerns, the grievance process and data tracking, as well as networking and leadership development. Action steps for resolving these issues were outlined, emphasizing proactive advocacy and strategic collaboration. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to ongoing partnership and effective solutions for SRN II concerns.

To maintain momentum and strengthen collaboration among chapter leaders, CCSO Chapter Presidents Dalend Biles and Jason Baker conducted an engaging SharePoint training session. This session emphasized the platform’s critical role as a centralized hub where chapter leaders can access essential resources, share best practices and streamline communication. While CCSO is still in the early stages of developing its SharePoint system, the goal is clear: to create a seamless space for gathering documents and receiving information quickly — without the need for phone calls. This resource will empower chapter leaders with the support and knowledge they need at their fingertips. By leveraging SharePoint, chapter presidents can more effectively support one another, ensuring consistent leadership and fostering a unified approach to chapter growth and success.

In my last message, I highlighted some of our priority issues, including transfers for sergeants and lieutenants who currently must compete with less experienced individuals for relocation opportunities. Recently, CCSO met with CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber on this matter, and we believe we’ve made some progress.

Another issue I mentioned was our efforts to enhance members’ health care packages. CCSO has engaged in discussions with CalHR about providing a stipend to help improve health care contributions for excluded employees. We plan to attend upcoming CalPERS benefits meetings and will reconnect with CalHR by the end of the year to review any progress made.

In addition, CCSO has made several contacts within the Legislature to discuss these and other issues affecting our members. Read DAPO Chapter President Jorge Robles’ article for a recap of our productive meetings with State Senator Bob Archuleta and State Treasurer Fiona Ma.

I’d like to close out my message by spotlighting how the spirit of giving is truly alive and well across our entire organization. Since the chapter presidents training, we’ve seen increased participation at the chapter level. Our members are actively getting involved in their communities, fundraising for various causes and dedicating their time to meaningful initiatives. We are proud to lend our support to the CCSO chapters that are making a difference across the state. We appreciate your efforts!

On the topic of giving back, CCSO urgently needs Supervisory Time Bank hours to support our executive officers and chapter presidents in attending conferences and meetings that benefit our entire membership. If you can, please consider donating your hours to our organization. Visit ccsonet.org/stb for more information.

I hope you all had a wonderful fall season and Thanksgiving surrounded by friends and loved ones. I’m grateful for your continued membership and support of CCSO.