Union Governance
Convention
CFT's highest policymaking body, now biennial
The Convention is the Federation’s highest governance body, where delegates shape union policy and positions on issues affecting all members. The biennial Convention is open to all CFT members, but only elected delegates can vote.
Division Councils
Formulating policy for member constituents
The union’s Division Councils represent the educational divisions of the CFT and retired members. The councils meet regularly to share information and to formulate policy proposals for constituent members. Get to know your division of the CFT and join in the discussion.
State Council
Making decisions for the CFT between Conventions
Between Conventions, the State Council makes decisions for the Federation. All locals may send a delegate to State Council. It meets twice yearly during non-Convention years (even-numbered years) and once during a Convention year.
State Council also sits as the CFT Committee on Political Education, or COPE, and reviews ballot propositions and political candidates and their positions on issues. Through COPE, the CFT participates actively in the campaigns of endorsed candidates.
Committees
Member-driven committees develop topic expertise
The standing committees of the CFT meet regularly to examine issues of importance to educators and unions, ranging from special education to labor education. The committees also put forward policy proposals for the CFT in their areas of expertise. Learn more about our union committees and the members who serve on them.
Executive Council
Officers of the CFT meet
The Executive Council, comprising the union’s elected officers, makes decisions for the Federation between State Council meetings, including endorsements for the Committee on Political Education, or COPE.
Policies, Positions and Resolutions
The CFT passes resolutions on a wide range of issues that affect members in our different membership constituencies and that address other state, national and international issues of importance to the union and to our vision for California and beyond. Many resolutions are passed at the union’s biennial Convention, but the State Council and Executive Council also adopt resolutions.