About COPE
COPE stands for “Committee on Political Education” and represents the political action arm of the Palomar Faculty Federation (PFF). The purpose of COPE is to engage in political education, to facilitate member-to-member communications about political issues and elections, and to endorse candidates and make contributions to candidate campaigns for the Palomar College Governing Board.
We hold monthly meetings, and there is no requirement to attend these unless you are interested in helping us to discuss and identify current and prospective Governing Board Trustees. In election years, those in COPE who are interested will help to get our endorsed candidates elected to the Palomar College Governing Board. We meet the 3rd Thursday of the month at 4:00pm on Zoom, and as needed for additional meetings.
Debbi Forward
COPE Director
Alyssa Vafaei
COPE Chair
Joel Glassman
COPE Treasurer
Barbara Hammons
COPE Secretary
Join COPE / Change Contribution
A small portion of PFF members’ dues support COPE, and additional, voluntary COPE contributions are key to COPE’s work. For an additional $5/pay period (automatically deducted from one’s paycheck), PFF members can be a voting member of COPE.
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To join, or change contribution level, complete the PFF member form (even if you’re already a PFF member) and be sure to complete the bottom portion regarding COPE. Thank you!
COPE of PFF is proud to endorse for Palomar College’s Governing Board:
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Candidate Edward Pohlert, Area 2
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Incumbent Roberto Rodriguez, Area 3 - Running unopposed!
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Incumbent Michelle Rains, Area 4
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A Trustee’s term is four years, and there is an election every even-numbered year. Trustees from areas 2, 3, and 4 will be elected (or re-elected) in November 2024.
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Current Palomar Governing Board Members
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District 1 - Dr. Judy Patacsil, 2022-2026
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District 2 - Cassandra Schaeg, 2023-2024
*appointed to a vacated seat, filling remainder of 2020-2024 term
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District 3 - Roberto Rodriguez, 2020-2024
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District 4 - Michelle Rains, 2022-2024
*elected to a vacated seat, filling remainder of 2020-2024 term
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District 5 - Jacqueline Kaiser, 2022-2026
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A Trustee’s term is four years, and there is an election every even-numbered year. Trustees from areas 1, 4, and 5 were just elected in November, 2022, and Trustees from areas 2, 3, and 4 will be elected/re-elected in November, 2024. (Area 4 is a two-year term to complete the 2020-2024 term due to the Trustee elected 2020 vacating the seat.)
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Palomar Community College District Area map.
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The Committee on Political Education (COPE) is the political work of PFF. The Committee:
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communicates with members about political issues and elections relevant to Palomar College
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endorses and supports candidates running for Palomar’s Governing Board
A small portion of PFF members’ dues support COPE, and additional, voluntary COPE contributions are key to COPE’s work. For just an additional $5/pay period (automatically deducted from one’s paycheck), PFF members can be a voting member of COPE.
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To join, complete this PFF member form (even if you’re already a PFF member) and be sure to complete the bottom portion regarding COPE. Thank you!
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We do hold monthly meetings, and there is no requirement to attend these unless you are interested in helping us to identify and discuss current and candidate Trustees. In election years, those in the Committee who are interested will help to get our endorsed candidates elected to the Governing Board.
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COPE meets at 4:00pm on the second Thursdays of the month. We meet on Zoom following the PFF Regular Executive Board Meeting. Again, you can be a member of COPE without attending meetings, though we would love to have you.