A Letter from the President: Invitation to attend the DCCFA Convention

A Letter from the President

Colleagues: 

The milestones keep coming. Most of us — many years ago — never imagined a 50^th anniversary for the District or a 38^th year for the DCCFA.  Somehow, the celebratory years that end with a zero seem to need a bit more recognition. We accomplished that in fairly grand fashion in August as we gathered the entire District into one place for the first time in many years.

I invite you to gather again with faculty colleagues at our 38^th Dallas Community College Faculty Association Convention. There is much to celebrate as we reflect on our history and there is much to discuss as we consider the issues that we face.

Traditionally, we always recognize the debt of gratitude we owe to those who helped give life to the organization back in 1977. Given the overall environment in our District at that point, it required vision, energy and courage to be at the forefront for this kind of effort. That gratitude is extended to those who have continued to provide needed leadership as we have faced various challenges over the years. 

We can be proud of our accomplishments as we sought to preserve the autonomy of our profession. Our students have been the beneficiaries as we have carefully protected the classroom as a place where open, honest intellectual inquiry can take place. DCCFA has proven itself up to the challenges that have been presented, and remains a viable and influential voice in Dallas County. We are recognized as one of the pre-eminent Associations in Texas. We can be justifiably proud of our on-going efforts.

It is important for us to remember we have two outstanding organizations working on our behalf. At the local level the DCCFA has long been the champion for faculty as we make every effort preserve our professional independence and protect our livelihood. At the State level, we have another organization representing us — TCCTA. While further from home, the decisions made in Austin have considerable impact on the things that we do. The lobbying efforts provided by TCCTA are extremely important as the contributions of two-year colleges are communicated.

Again, you are cordially invited to attend our 38^th year convention at 2 p.m. Friday, November 13, in the Commissioner Court Room, 411 Elm Street, in downtown Dallas. Our speaker will be Mr. Beaman Floyd, lobbyist for TCCTA in Austin.  A reception will follow at 5 p.m. at Hoffbrau Steaks, 311 N. Market Street, also in downtown Dallas.

We hope to see you there.

Fred Newbury,
DCCFA President