Welcome to SASA-Student Association for STEM Advocacy

Conference Dates: November 9th, 2025 to November 10th, 2025
Registration Closing Date: October 6th, 2025
Conference Location: Capitol Event Center – 1020 11th St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Conference Overview

The 2025 SASA California Advocacy Leadership Conference (CALC) will take place from November 9th, 2025 to November 10th, 2025. CALC will take place in Sacramento, the capital of California, and attendees will spend the first day learning about various advocacy techniques, the structure of the CA government, legislative asks, and more! During the second day, attendees will then use the skills they learned to go and conduct effective advocacy meetings with their legislators to ultimately expand STEM education initiatives for students all over CA. Please reach out to [email protected] if you would like more info.

Meet with Assembly Members

As part of our pre-conference preparation, all teams will engage with Assembly Members in their district to set up in-person meetings with Assembly staff. SASA will guide all teams through this process, so that on Day 2 of the Conference, your teams will have the opportunity to advocate directly for robotics and STEM at the State Capitol.

Network with Robotics Teams

The most important aspect of advocacy is building relationships– not just with Assembly Members or Senators, but with fellow advocates, such as the Californian robotics teams you’ll meet at our conference in Sacramento. CALC provides plenty of chances to meet other teams, practice inter-team meetings, and team-build with other STEM advocates.

Hands-On Meeting Support

At CALC, every team has an opportunity to meet in-person with their representatives or staff at the State Capitol and feel confident and prepared to advocate for STEM education in California. SASA staff will guide you throughout the entire process of conducting effective advocacy. Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions!

Agenda

Full Day of Training – 11/9/2025

  • 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM – Registration (registration open till 11)
  • 9:45 AM to 9:55 AM – Introduction
  • 9:55 AM to 10:05 AM – Our Mission
  • 10:05 AM to 10:50 AM – Advocacy 101
  • 10:50 AM to 11:00 AM – Break
  • 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM – Local Advocacy Panel
  • 11:30 AM to 12:00 AM – Intro to California Budgeting Process
  • 12:00 AM to 1:00 PM – Lunch, Team Builder, Photos
  • 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM – Effective Meetings
  • 1:45 PM to 2:15 PM – Keynote Speaker #1
  • 2:15 PM to 2:30 PM – Networking Activity
  • 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM – Keynote Speaker #2
  • 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM – Practice Meeting and Feedback
  • 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM – Trivia
  • 4:00 PM to 4:15 PM – Closing Statement
  • 4:15 PM to 5:00 PM – Walk to Capitol for Pictures

Advocacy Day – 11/10/25

  • Groups meet with office according to their specific schedule

Coordinating Team(s): FRC 1622, FRC 649, FTC 6165, FTC 25742, FTC 20163, FTC 13356, FTC 7303, FRC 1671, FRC 2485, FRC 1138, FRC 3476, and FTC 8872

Conference Registration Rates*

  • Early Bird SASA Member: $85 (until 10/6/25)
  • Early Bird Non-Member: $110 (until 10/6/25)
  • Late Registration Fee: $135 (after 10/6/25)

*CALC is a two-day conference and the registration fee does not cover a hotel for a night of the 9th. Teams are responsible for finding their own accommodations (should they need it).

What is included? Letter pad, name badge, lunch and a pen.
Staff Member to Contact: Arjit Agarwal, [email protected]