At the California Democratic Party's Annual Convention in San Francisco (May 31-June 2, 2019), I will be running to become an Officer of the Disabilities Caucus. This is the letter I have drafted to the members of the Caucus who will cast their votes before or at the meeting on Saturday, June 1st:
"Dear CADEM Disabilities Caucus Member,
I am running to be an Officer of the Disabilities Caucus at Convention this year and hope to have your VOTE.
I have been an elected AD22 Delegate since 2015 and the elected AD22 Executive Board Representative since 2017.
I am running for this position because I have a vision for inclusive communities and schools, and for our Party... for accessible systems of support, higher expectations for kids & adults, respect, inclusive leadership opportunities, and ultimately, better outcomes.
My focus on disability issues is very personal. My 11 year old son’s mental health diagnosis at age 6 has been challenging and often traumatic, but it has made me realize that the exclusion, stigmas and trauma we have experienced are far too common, and that we can and must do better as a society for all kids to enable them to grow into thriving community members and leaders.
My first profession was as a kindergarten and first grade teacher (1994-1998) in South San Francisco. I graduated from U.C. Hastings and passed the California Bar in 2001, eventually opening my own law firm (Kiski Law, P.C.) in 2010, and I also began working as in-house corporate counsel for Lundberg Family Farms in 2015.
I had the honor of serving as a school board Trustee in the San Mateo-Foster City School District from 2013 to 2017.
If elected as an Officer of the Disabilities Caucus, I promise to work to bring more awareness of disability issues and the need for increased inclusivity within the Party’s structure, and throughout the Party’s Platform.
I hope to have your VOTE for this Officer role.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
All my best,
Chelsea Bonini"