What better way to get to know your UCOP colleagues than by joining an employee networking or interest group. Share in the camaraderie!

These groups foster a welcoming work environment for all employees by providing opportunities to socialize and work together on educational and philanthropic activities. All staff are welcome to join any or all of them.

• Black Staff and Faculty Organization (BSFO-OP) – an academic and community-based employee organization established to promote the general welfare of African American employees at OP and in our local community
• Latino Staff Association (LaSA-OP) – an employee organization that promotes the general welfare and interests of Latinos at OP, with emphasis on fundraising for undergraduate scholarships
• Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Intersex Staff Association (LGBTISA) – an employee organization that provides advocacy, education and communication in the interest of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex employees in the OP community and beyond
• Office of the President Staff Assembly (OPSA) – dedicated to promoting the interest and welfare of all staff employees at UCOP. Meetings are open to all staff. Read more about OPSA.
• UCOP Cares – an initiative to enhance the culture at UCOP and broaden awareness of volunteer and giving opportunities. Interested in discussing volunteer or giving opportunities? Attend the next UCOP Cares Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at noon in Franklin 6113. Contact Trish Hare, Strategic Resource coordinator, at Trish.Hare@ucop.edu or (510) 987-9124, for more information.

Here are some of the group’s recent activities:

LaSA-OP celebrates 9th Annual Family Night with the Oakland A’s

On Tuesday, August 17, the UCOP Latino Staff Association (LaSA-OP) celebrated its 9th annual Family Night with the Oakland A’s.

“Our UC familias y amigos [friends and family] get together for a fun night away from work and with no agendas, just enjoy the night. The kids enjoy the experience of attending the ball game along with parents and friends. We all share the excitement of the ball game, we laugh, talk, share time together and we always pass goodies around to share because food goes hand in hand with friendship,” said Ana Trejo, payroll team lead in the Business Resource Center (BRC).

Trejo is the LaSA-OP coordinator and made all of the arrangements for the annual outing. A special thanks goes to Elena Zekos, executive assistant in HR, and Luz Miles, executive secretary in Laboratory Management, for their assistance in putting the event together.

There were 30 people in attendance, all of whom were thrilled to see the Oakland A’s win 6-2 against the Toronto Blue Jays. This is just one example of the fun to be had with your OP employee groups!

BSFO Forum: African Americans and Schooling and the Intersection of Race and Policy

The Black Staff and Faculty Organization (BSFO) provides educational forums that highlight the contributions of African Americans and address historical, cultural and contemporary issues facing the African American community.

A recent BSFO forum featured two UC Berkeley education professors, Na’ilah Nassir and Janelle Scott, who discussed African Americans and Schooling and the Intersection of Race and Policy.

“The speakers shared their research and perspectives on the racial politics of education and engaged UCOP staff in a stimulating discussion. Participants found the session thought provoking and informative,” said Nina More, director, P-20, Teaching and Leadership, Education Partnerships. Moore is the vice president of BSFO.

BSFO is planning additional discussions for the coming year.

LGBTISA Presents Speakers on Benefits and Estate Planning

The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Intersex Staff Association (LGBTISA) strives to provide a supportive environment and informative sessions on issues of interest to LGBTI staff.

This past fall, LGBTISA presented a forum on benefits at Open Enrollment time, with speakers Anne Buckland from the UCOP/UCSF HR/Benefits Office and Shane Snowdon from UCSF LGBT Resources, to help staff answer questions about benefits as well as to discuss the history of domestic partner benefits at UC and possible directions for the future. In January the association hosted attorney Virginia Palmer, who discussed estate-planning concerns for the LGBTI community, especially issues created in the wake of Proposition 8. Group members also attended the Golden State Warriors’ first ever LGBT Night in March.

In the coming year, the group plans to provide more informational programs and social events to help build community here at UCOP.

Click here to learn all about OP’s Employee Networking and Interest Groups.

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