California Association of Directors of Activities
The California Association of Directors of Activities (CADA) was founded in 1957 and is the country’s largest statewide support network for school culture leaders and activities directors. CADA’s mission is to support and promote leadership development through student activities and leadership. The organization’s goal is to create leadership training experiences that empower educational stakeholders to improve the world, be better people, and take action.The CADA Board of Directors is comprised of an four officers, executive director, one elected representative from each of the 7 geographical areas in the states, and 8 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.It is our goal to promote the attitude and belief that a well balanced student co-curricular program is an integral 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. Any person who is connected or involved with a school’s co-curricular program is eligible for an individual membership or, by adding two additional names, is eligible for a school membership. If you are a CADA member, your students are now members of CASL. Any person or company who provides goods, services, assemblies, entertainment, fund-raising programs, directly to students through the schools sites and activity programs is eligible for an affiliate membership.
Year /Presidents / Convention Location & Theme
1956 Jack Moore (#1)
1957 Jack Moore (#2)
1958 Floyd Moore (#3)
1959 Warren Stevenson (#4)
1960 Warren Stevenson (#5)
1961 Al Grass (#6)
1962 Al Grass (#7)
1963 Bob McAlister (#8)
Highlights:
Jostens finances state wide school survey to determine the interest in CADA becoming a viable resource
CADA Board should consist of one member from each of the CASSA (CA Assoc. of Secondary School Admin) Regions
1964 Bob McAlister (#9)
1965 / Don Soelberg (#10) / Bakersfield (CADA’s 10th Anniversary)
Bakersfield Welcomes You / Hacienda Motel / January 29 – 30
Keynote: Dr. Everett T Calvert, Dr. Grand W. Jensen, Robert F Gray
100 Attendees – 16 Exhibitors (membership fee was $2)
Highlights:
the 4 Presidents Chairs began (VP, Pres Elect, Pres, Past Pres)
President presides throughout the convention, turning over the gavel and Presidency to the President Elect at the last General Session of the convention.
1966 / Gary Goff (#11)/ Bakersfield / February 4 – 5
(No Theme) / Hacienda Motel
Keynote: Cliff Davis, Starry Gange, Ernest Camfield
176 Attendees – 33 Exhibitors
1967/ Larry Thorne (#12) / Anaheim / February 10 – 11
(No Theme) / Disneyland Hotel
Keynote: Early Reum, Danny Welton
233 Attendees – 40 Exhibitors (Registration fee $14. Included 2 meals)
Highlights:
CADA qualifies to hold a seat on the policy making body of CASSA
1968/ Bill Poldevin (#13) / San Francisco / February 23 – 24
(No Theme) / Jack Tar Hotel
Keynote:
### Attendees (Registration fee $15. Included 2 meals / Dues $3)
Highlights:
President Poldevin was instructed to investigate and proceed with steps to incorporate the Association
1969/ Fred Barton (#14) / Palm Springs / February 14 – 15
(No Theme) / Holiday Inn
Keynote:
### Attendees (Registration fee $15. Included 2 meals / Dues $5)
Highlights:
First student member selected to the State Board of Education: Barbara Marshment (Carondelet High School, Concord)
1970/ James Lockner (#15)/ San Francisco / February 13 – 14
(No Theme) / Jack Tar Hotel
Keynote: Keith Kent, Payton Jordan, New Directions
### Attendees (Registration fee $16. Included 2 meals / Dues $5)
1971/ Jean Phillippe (#16) / San Diego / February 19 – 20
(No Theme) / El Cortez
Keynote: John VanDe Water
### Attendees
Highlights:
Fred Kiesel is appointed chair of committee to study the relationship between ACSA and CASC (CADA sponsored state student council organizaiton)
CADA Board composed of Three (3) Vice Presidents (North, Central, South) Secretary, Treasurer and five (5) members at large
1972/ Bill Thorsen (#17) / San Francisco / February 18 – 19
(No Theme) / Jack Tar Hotel
Keynote:
### Attendees
Highlights:
July 23-25 The first “State Student Leadership Conference” is held on the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara. Sponsored by CADA, CASC, ACSA and the CSDE. James Setterlund and Tom Dusek Directors
CADA Board splits the Souther Section into two regions and adds on Representative to the Board.
1973/ Gloria Jones (#18) / Los Angeles February 16 – 17
(No Theme) / LA International
Keynote:
### Attendees
Highlights:
CADA Board combines position of Secretary and Treasurer into one position.
Board approves funding of a Junior High Newsletter
1974/ Aubrey Allen (#19) / San Diego / (10th Convention) February 7 – 9
(No Theme) / Sheraton Harbor Island
Keynote: Earl Reum, Terry Girous (NASSP)
### Attendees (Dues $15)
Highlights:
Board started effort to develop summer Cheer and Leadership Camps
CADA “Road Show” developed and shown at NASC (National Association of Student Councils)
1975/ Bob Mangus (#20) / San Francisco
(No Theme) / Sheraton / February 6 – 8
Keynote: Charles Herman (Jostens), Russell Stokes (Missouri)
### Attendees
Highlights:
CADA Cheer Camps are expanded
1976/ Vahl Clemensen (#21) / Los Angeles / March 5 – 7
(No Theme) / Marriott
Keynote: George Mardikian, Sarah Ruth Cohen (Oklahoma)
### Attendees
Highlights:
Constitutional change ratified: CADA organized into seven (7) regions (following ASCA lines)
Each region will have one board member to be called “Area Coordinator”
1977/ Karen Pearson (#22) / San Diego / March 3 – 5
(No Theme) / El Cortez
Keynote: John VanDeWater
### Attendees (Registration fee $40. Included 2 meals / Dues $15)
1978/ John Dunleavy (#23) / San Francisco
(No Theme) / San Francisco Hilton / February 23 – 25
Keynote: Joseph Sorrentino
### Attendees (Registration fee $70. Included 2 meals / Dues $20)
Highlights:
CADA needs to be visible at Legislative hearings
CADA needs to retain the services of a full time Executive Secretary
1979/ Bob Martin (#24) / Los Angeles
Charge Into the 80s / Los Angeles Airport Hilton / March 8 – 10
Keynote: Don McKinley, Earl Reum
### Attendees
Highlights:
Prop 13 (Jarvis-Gann Initiative) was the topic of the year.
This was the first convention that carried a theme throughout.
1980/ Larry Laird (#25) / San Diego (CADA’s 25th Anniversary)
(No Theme) / Town and Country / February 28 – March 1
Keynote: Harry Wong
### Attendees (Dues $35)
Highlights:
The first middle school person elected to the CADA board
Summer Camps started – John Gibson Coordinator
1981/ Angela Aschbrenner (#26) / Sacramento
Strike it Rich in Sacramento / Red Lion / March 12 – 14
Keynote: Jim Kern, Ernest Smith
### Attendees
1982/ Alden Esping (#27) / Los Angeles
Aloha / Los Angeles Airport Hilton / March 4 – 6
Keynote: Sterling Ellsworth, Earl Reum
### Attendees (Registration fee $80 included dues)
Highlights:
inside joke about meatballs
Developed the theme idea for CADA Conventions moving forward
1983/ John Gibson (#28) / San Diego
Set Sail with CADA / Town and Country / March 3 – 5
Keynote: Bob Tomisch, Bob Moawad
### Attendees (Registration fee $50. Included 2 meals / Dues $35)
Highlights:
Started process to incorporate CADA as a non-profit organziation
CADA signed agreement to hold the first convention outside of California
1984/ Jack Ziegler (#29) / Sacramento
Win the West with CADA / Red Lion / March 1 – 3
Keynote: Dr. Earl Reum, Dr. Don E Glimes, Dr. Jim Kern
### Attendees (Registration fee $50 / Dues $35)
Highlights:
CADA incorporation status competed
Centralized CADA’s Finances
Breakfast with Dr. Jim Kern
Capitol and Old Sacraments Tour
1985/ Bill Calder (#30) / Long Beach
CADA Celebrity Cruise / Queen Mary / February 28 – March 2
Keynote: Jim Kern
### Attendees (Registration fee $58 / Dues $40)
1986/ Al Rose (#31) / Reno, Nevada
CADA Bonanza / MGM Grand / March 6 – 8
Keynote: Michael Brandwein, Jody Warne-Ellison
### Attendees (Registration fee $65 / Dues $40)
Highlights:
First convention held out of state
Last convention done by hand (not computerized)
Got snowed in when convention ended
First insurance coverage secured for all CADA events and activiteis
CADA Legal Counsel placed on annual retainer
State Superintendent Bill Honig appoints Dr. David Gordon as State Department of Education liaison to CADA
CADA presentation to ACSA results in ACSA selecting CADA as state professional body to be parent organization for official California Student Associations.
1987/ J Peter Cahn (#32) / Anaheim
World’s Greatest Show … So Far / Anaheim Marriott / February 26 – 28
Keynote: Tom Sullivan, The Original Mike Smith
### Attendees (Registration fee $75)
Highlights:
The first computerized convention
National recognition through acceptance by ACSA / NASSP division of Student Activities
Development of the first major sponsorships
Creation of the “Grass Roots Task Force”
Honorary Membership Awards program started
1988/ Bonnie Kay Strang (#33) / San Francisco
Puttin’ on the Ritz / Hyatt Regency / February 18 – 20
Keynote: Dennis Waitley, Jack Canfield
### Attendees
Highlights
Hall of Ideas and Round Tables (now Meet the Pro’s) began at Convention
1989/ Bill Smith (#34) / Los Angeles / (25th Convention)
CADA Beach Party (Hang Loose with CADA)/ Los Angeles Airport Hilton
Keynote: Art Lange, Dr. Zacharie Clements, The Original Mike Smith
1010 Attendees
1990/ Joanne Laird (#35) / Sparks, NV
CADA Past, Present & Future / Golden Nugget
Keynote: Jeanne Robertson, The Original Mike Smith
920 Attendees
1991/ Stu Shaffer (#36) / San Diego
CADA Fiesta / Sheraton Harbor Island
Keynote: Frosty Troy, David Parker, Mark Scharenbroich
1040 Attendees
1992/ Bill Tangeman (#37) / San Jose
Touch of Class / San Jose Convention Center
Keynote: Kurt Kilpatrick, Dr. John Compere, Jim Polidora, PhD
990 Attendees
1993/ John McNichols (#38) / Anaheim
Medieval Times / Anaheim Hilton
Keynote: John Alston, Susie Humphries, Dorothy Mitchell
864 Attendees
1994/ Mary Ann Archbold (#39) / Reno, NV
Rhinestone Cowboy / Reno Hilton
Keynote:
1009 Attendees
1995/ Rod Rodriguez (#40) / Los Angeles
Hooray for Hollywood / Century Plaza
Keynote:
869 Attendees
1996/ John Deavers (#41) / Reno, NV
Rock and Roll / Reno Hilton
Keynote:
1069 Attendees
1997/ Tony Ortega (#42) / San Diego
Carnival Cruise / Town and Country
Keynote:
1291 Attendees
1998/ Lynette Hovland (#43) / Reno, NV
CADA Mardi Gras / Reno Hilton
Keynote: Earl Reum, Rolfe Carawan, Jeanne Robertson
1206 Attendees
Highlights:
Cal Meek comes out dressed as Darth Vader to announce next years Convention
1999/ Cal Meek (#44) / Los Angeles
Upon A Venture to the New Millenium / Boneventure
Keynote:
1204 Attendees
2000/ Bob Beale (#45) / Sacramento
River of Gold / Sacramento Convention Center
Keynote:
1192 Attendees
Highlights:
Meet the Pros began
John Nabor / Character Counts Partnership
2001/ Robin Lee-Ramirez (#46) / San Diego
Treasure Island / Town and Country
Keynote: Rick Minnefield, Steve Spangler, Earl Reum
1365 Attendees
2002/ Jim Nyberg (#47) / Reno, NV
AbraCADAbra / Reno Hilton
Keynote: The Original Mike Smith, Emory Austin
1376 Attendees
2003/ Kathy Curtright Pinol (#48) / Las Vegas, NV
CADAs Ruby Jubilee / Rio Suites
Keynote: Ken Blanchard, Ron Jones
1323 Attendees
2004/ Ola King Claye (#49) / Reno, NV
CADA & All That Jazz / Reno Hilton
Keynote: John Alston
1296 Attendees
2005/ Don Dagńe (#50) / San Diego (CADA’s 50th Anniversary)
CADA Celebrates America / Town and Country
Keynote: University President, Texas Lady, Phil Boyte
1404 Attendees
Highlights:
Fireworks over the Golf Course next to Hotel
2006/ Don Shaffer (#51) / Reno, NV
The CADA Film Festival / Reno Hilton
Keynote: Jeanne Robertson, Eric Saperston, Tyler Durman
1482 Attendees
Highlights:
First to have Emcees and Off Stage Voice for General Sessions
Set up Curriculum Roundtables (Meet the Pros )
Denise and husband rides in on a motorcycle to kick off the theme for next years convention
2007/ Denise Van Doorn (#52) / San Diego
Rev It Up / Town and Country
Keynote: Jim Cathcart, Scott Greenberg, Mark Sharenbroich
1583 Attendees
Highlights:
Reffled off a Harley Davidson and donated money raised
2008/ Tiburcio Garcia (#53) / Reno, NV
CADAs Field of Dreams / Grand Sierra
Keynote: David Garibaldi, Bill Cordis, Chad Hymas
1466 Attendees
2009/ Patty Judge (#54) / San Diego
CADA-fari Into the Heart of Leadership / Town and Country
Keynote: Drum Cafe, Tiger Guy, The Original Mike Smith
1246 Attendees
Highlights:
Tiger Guy wasn’t allowed to bring in his tiger due to liability
2010/ Cindy Bader (#55) / Reno, NV
Spirit of New Orleans / Grand Sierra
Keynote: Earl Reum, Jason Ryan Dorsey (The Gen Y Guy), Darrell Scott (Rachel’s Challenge)
1047 Attendees
Highlights:
First Convention after Economic Downfall
First Convention to host 60/60 (60 ideas in 60 minutes)
Gave donation to a school in New Orleans instead of dessert at dinner dance
2011 / Paul Chylinski (#56) / San Diego
License to Lead (Californias Secret Service) / Town and Country
Keynote: Michael Josephson, Jaime Casap/Brian Brushwood/Phil Boyte, Keith Hawkins
1273 Attendees
High Lights:
First fully computerized convention “Tech Lounge” where attendees used laptops.
2012/ Monica Anderson (#57) / Reno, NV
Peace, Love, CADA (A Leadership Revolution) / Grand Sierra
Keynote: Mark Kielburger (Me to We), Harriet Turk, Teen Truth
1262 Attendees
Related Article “Peace, Love & CADA: A Look Back at the 2012 Convention”
2013 / Janet Roberts (#58) / San Diego
Imagine (From Thought to Sketch to Masterpiece) / Town and Country
Keynote: Jason Hewlett, David Garibaldi, Richard Parkhouse
1364 Attendees
Highlights:
Held an Art Auction and all money was donated
2014/ Mike White (#59) / Reno, NV
CADAtoons (50th Convention) / Grand Sierra
Keynote: Justin Beaudreau, Ian Tyson, Kathy Buckley
1313 Attendees
2015 / Suzy Krzacek (#60) / San Diego (CADA’s 60th Anniversary)
Just Dance / Town and Country
Keynote: Steve Southard, Eddie Slowikowski, Tyler Durman
1596 Attendees
2016/ Lauretta Eldridge (#61) / Reno, NV
EPIC Leadership / Grand Sierra
Keynote: Linda Larsen, Ruben Gonzalez, Mark Scharenbroich
1415 Attendees
2017 / Kevin Fairman (#62) / San Diego
JamaiCADA / Town and Country
Keynote: Devon Harris, Phil Boyte, Jeff Eben
1904 Attendees
Highlights:
Brought CADA Slam to the State (Quick 3 minute ideas shared on main stage)
2018/ Debi Weiss (#63) / Reno, NV
Oh the Places You’ll Go / Grand Sierra
Keynote: Chad Hymas, Jason Koteki, Pat Quinn
1608 Attendees
Related Article “Lessons in Children’s Books: A Look Back at the 2018 Convention”
2019 / Margaret Noroian (#64)/ San Diego
Soaring Over California / Town and Country
Keynote: Pete Vargas, Cheryl Kaiser-Ward, Houston Kraft
2017 Attendees
2020/ Allison Gadeke (#65) / Reno, NV
Set the Stage, Shine the Spotlight / Grand Sierra
Keynote: Mike Smith Live, Tei Street, Erin Gruwall
1798 Attendees
Highlights:
Angela Duckworth Additional Keynote
2021 / Ron Ippolito (#66) / VIRTUAL
Leadership Mix Tape / @ Home
Keynote: Lori Hayes / Carlos Ojeda, Patricia Brown, Tim Elmore / Dee Hankins
598 ONLINE Attendees
Highlights:
COVID forced us to have a Convention online 100% over Zoom
2022 / Geniel Moon (#67) / Reno, NV
CADA Tours / Grand Sierra
Keynote: Scott Backovich, Laymon Hicks, Shannon McKain
1119 Attendees
2023 / Bonnie Bagheri (#68) / San Diego
Ven A Mi Casa / Town and Country
Keynote: Dr. Farrah Ortega Choate, Dr. Luis Cruz, Carlos Ojeda Jr.
2040 Attendees
Highlights:
Conference was a complete sell out
2024 / Joe McMahon (#69) / Reno, NV (60th Convention)
CADA Spirit Games/ Grand Sierra
Keynote: Joe Beckman, Shree Walker, Brandon Farbstein
1800 Attendees
2025 / Lindsey Charron (#70) / San Diego
CADAstock / Town and Country
Keynote: Brandon Flemming, Shelley Peiken, Mike Smith (Live)
2000 Attendees
Highlights:
Because of our growing numbers, and the Town and Country remodeling and losing 1/2 it’s rooms, this is the last time we will be going to the Town & Country in San Diego
2026 / Melissa Edsall (#71) / Reno, NV
Camp CADA / Grand Sierra
Keynote:
### Attendees
2027 / Kara Johnson (#72) / Palm Springs
Highlights:
First Convention in Palm Springs.
2028 / (elected 2026) (#73) / Reno, NV
2029 / (elected 2027) (#74) / tbd
2030 / (elected 2028) (#75) / tbd (CADA’s 75th Anniversary)
CADA Intentions
Over the years, CADA has been a hub for excellence in student activities on campus, creative expression, and personal growth. Student activities are a fantastic way to foster a sense of community, provide opportunities for personal development, and create memorable experiences, showcasing the impact of our dedicated educators and engaged student body. We are excited to share our CADA intentions. These guiding principles shape the experiences we aim to provide for all students, fostering a vibrant and inclusive campus life. We invite you to join us in embracing these intentions and making our shared vision a reality.
(This story is ongoing and will be updated as more information comes to past, special thanks to Al Rose – President 1986 for getting the ball rolling in 2007 to save the History of our organization)