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NYSCAA

NYSCAA Networking Opportunities

Connect with Your Community Action Peers

NYSCAA offers Affinity Groups, Communities of Practice, and online discussion spaces for staff working at Community Action Agencies across New York State. Start by joining a group, then use NYSCAA Discourse to continue conversations, share resources, ask questions, and stay connected between meetings.

Join a Group Visit NYSCAA Discourse View Group Directory

Three Ways to Stay Connected

Affinity Groups

Role-based or topic-based groups for staff working in similar areas, such as HR, finance, IT, AI, executive support, or data systems.

Communities of Practice

Structured learning communities where members build knowledge around a shared area of practice through regular discussion and collaboration.

NYSCAA Discourse

An online discussion space for continuing conversations, sharing resources, asking questions, and keeping group updates organized between meetings.

Online Community Space

Keep the Conversation Going on NYSCAA Discourse

NYSCAA Discourse gives group members another way to stay connected outside of Zoom meetings and email listservs. It can be used to post questions, share examples, upload resources, follow discussion topics, and continue peer conversations in one organized place.

Join a Group First

NYSCAA Discourse is designed to support the Affinity Groups and Communities of Practice you participate in. To access group-specific conversations, resources, and updates in Discourse, please complete the group interest form first.

Once your group participation is processed, you will be able to use Discourse as another way to stay connected with that group. If you do not see a group space you expected to access, please contact NYSCAA for assistance.

Ask Questions

Post questions and get input from peers across the network.

Share Resources

Share tools, templates, links, examples, and meeting follow-up.

Stay Organized

Keep topics easier to find than long email threads.

Join a Group Visit NYSCAA Discourse

Open to New York Community Action Agency Staff

Affinity Group Directory

Affinity Groups are formed around a shared role, system, responsibility, or interest. There is no application process. Complete the interest form to join a group and receive information about meetings and communications.

Discourse access note: To see and participate in group-specific spaces on NYSCAA Discourse, please join the group first using the interest form. Once your group participation is processed, you will be able to use Discourse to stay connected with that group.

Join an Affinity Group

AI Affinity Group

For staff interested in how Community Action Agencies can use artificial intelligence. No technical experience is necessary.

Connects through: Monthly Zoom meetings and online discussion.

Contact: Alexis Rivera

CAPTAIN

For CAPTAIN / CAP Systems software administrators and users.

Connects through: Email listserv and monthly Zoom meetings.

Contact: Tim Nichols

CAP60

For CAP60 software administrators and users.

Connects through: Email listserv for questions, ideas, and peer support.

Contact: Tim Nichols

Executive Assistants

For Community Action Executive Assistant professionals.

Connects through: Email listserv and Zoom meetings.

Facilitators: Melinda Daniels and Liz Campbell

Contact: Shayna Filion

Finance

For Community Action finance professionals.

Connects through: Email listserv and quarterly Zoom meetings.

Facilitator: Nancy Turo, PEACE, Inc.

Contact: Tim Nichols

Human Resources

For Community Action human resource professionals.

Connects through: Email listserv and Zoom meetings every other month.

Facilitator: Mary Jarvis-Cairo, L.E.A.P

Contact: Tim Nichols

Information Technology

For IT professionals and staff involved in technology systems, digital tools, and technical support.

Connects through: Peer connection, shared questions, and technology-related discussion.

Contact: Alexis Rivera

Shared Learning and Practice

Communities of Practice

Communities of Practice are groups of people who share a concern or passion for an area of work and learn how to do it better through regular interaction. These groups support deeper learning, shared problem-solving, and ongoing discussion.

CoP meetings take place online and include staff from Community Action Agencies in New York. Meetings may be up to 90 minutes and are held via Zoom. NYSCAA may also create opportunities for CoP members to connect at in-person events and through NYSCAA Discourse.

Discourse access note: To access CoP-specific spaces in NYSCAA Discourse, please complete the appropriate CoP application first. Once your participation is processed, you will be able to use Discourse to stay connected with that community.

Data Community of Practice

Builds greater understanding of the use and influence of data in a Community Action Agency.

Apply for Data CoP

Trauma-Informed Care Agency CoP

Builds greater understanding and capacity around trauma-informed care practices within Community Action Agencies in New York.

Apply for Trauma-Informed Care CoP

Join the Conversation

Complete the group interest form first so NYSCAA can connect you with the appropriate group. Once your group participation is processed, use NYSCAA Discourse to stay connected with peers, follow discussions, and access group-specific conversations.

Join a Group Visit NYSCAA Discourse