Citizens' Advisory Council

The Santa Barbara Citizens’ Continuing Education Advisory Council has served as a supportive link between the community and Continuing Education since 1951.

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
In the years immediately following the end of World War II, California saw a dramatic increase in the number of students enrolling in Adult Education programs throughout the state. At that same time, opposition in both houses of the state legislature regarding funding of Adult Education classes prompted Sacramento to send independent officials to survey programs in every district.

In his “Personal Memoir on the 50th Anniversary of the Citizens’ Continuing Education Advisory Council," Selmer O. Wake recalled:

In one investigation, ten programs in the state were selected and asked to assemble 12 participants and be prepared to meet with a state investigator for a program evaluation. Ours was one of the ten involved. This investigator was hired by the state legislature and he was to report his findings to the leadership of that body. Six men and six women were selected from our program to meet with him when he came to Santa Barbara.

…It turned out to be a great meeting with many testimonials on how important the program was to them. The investigator was somewhat surprised with the enthusiasm expressed…In the report to the legislature, our program came out with a good rating.

…Since that meeting with that state investigator was so successful, it was decided to call these same 12 people again and ask them to serve as members of a new Advisory Council. They were pleased to do so. That was in the Fall of 1951…They were organized and that was the beginning of the Council.

Over the years, the Council membership grew to 20 members, then 30, and by the year 2001, there were 40 members. The role of the Council during that time included advising on curriculum development, policy making, and public relations.

CURRENT FUNCTION AND MEMBERSHIP
Today there are 27 members on the Council. Joanne E. Funari, President of Business First Bank, serves as the chair. The term of active membership is two years.

Based on new initiatives, the Council formed the following committees:

Scholarship Committee
Public Relations/Communications Committee
Fundraising (to develop a long-term strategy for program funding and sustainability

MEETINGS for 2011-2012
One meeting is held each term (except summer). Meetings are from 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm at the Schott Center, Tannahill Auditorium.

FALL: Thursday, October 20, 2011

WINTER: Thursday, February 16, 2012

SPRING: Thursday, May 10, 2012