Mission Statement:

To promote and support leadership development and student activities.

Who We Are:

The California Association of Directors of Activities (CADA) began when a few student council advisors got together to share common problems and solutions. Since that weekend in 1957 CADA has grown into the largest statewide support network for Activity Directors in the nation. The CADA Board of Directors is comprised of four officers, one elected representative from each of the 7 geographical areas in the state, and six directors who direct various programs of the organization. The day to day business of CADA is the responsibility of a management firm under the direction of the Board. The California Association of Student Leaders (CASL) was developed as a CADA board project to provide a forum for student expression. Since 1996, CASL has been governed by a regionally elected student board of 14 directors and assistant directors, and 3 elected officers, under the sponsorship of CADA and guidance from an adult advisory board.

Our Mission:

It is our goal to promote the attitude and belief that a well-balanced student co-curricular program is an integral and vital part of a well-rounded education for all students. By providing both intensive training and diverse resources, CADA provides our adult members the tools to increase the effectiveness of their student leaders. As our student organization, CASL works to provide its student members with the leadership skills necessary to develop, implement, and evaluate co-curricular programs on their own campuses. It is also the intention of CASL to provide assistance in developing leaders with integrity and ethical decision making skills, so that they may be active participants at the local, state, and national levels. These two organizations work side by side in their commitment to training and providing opportunities for students to be effective leaders.

Our Human Rights Policy:

“The California Association of Directors of Activities and the California Association of Student Leaders endorse a policy of complete nondiscrimination honoring and respecting all human differences and encourage our members and their respective schools and businesses to display a genuine tolerance of others.”

Adopted by the CADA Board of Directors – 1999

Our Services:

Annual Advisor Convention

Vendors along with three and a half days of seminars, workshops, and inspirational keynote speakers.

Training to facilitate positive student involvement in activities such as student government, graduation, fundraisers, and other student activities.

Annual publication of Hall of Ideas

Area Conferences

One day events for students and advisors focusing on leadership skills including weekend Advisor workshops.

Motivates students and advisors while reenergizing their enthusiasm.

Leadership Camps

Four day s of summer camp activities to develop interpersonal skills, fine tune student government procedures, and teambuilding.

Emphasis on planning and producing special events and understanding cultural diversity at both high school and middle school levels..

CASL

Operated and governed by students under CADA’s sponsorship, CASL prepares California teens for leadership roles by offering techniques, resources and training. Operated and governed by an elected student board with guidance from an adult advisor committee, CASL is under the sponsorship of CADA.

Annual Awards:

Each year CADA recognizes outstanding activities directors, schools, students, and volunteers for significant accomplishment in activities or student leadership.

Each year the CADA board of directors recognizes an individual who is not a general member of CADA and who has shown their exemplary commitment to the goals of the organization and to the betterment of all students in the state of California with an Honorary Life Member Award.