VCCCD Board Trustee Dianne McKay talks politics, AAUW panel discussion held at California Lutheran University

Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustee Member Dianne McKay recently participated in a panel discussion hosted by the American Association of University Women at the California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA. The forum, “Throw Your Hat into the Ring: Politicians Discuss the Realities of Campaigning, drew approximately 50 attendees who listened intently as each panelist shared their experience with running for an elected office.

“The tone was educational and non-partisan, with the purpose to provide insight to participants who may be interested in pursuing a political career,” said McKay. She shared the stage with Candidate for Ventura County Supervisor District 3 Carla Castilla; Las Virgenes School District Board of Education member Angela Cutbill; Candidate for California Senate District 27 Henry Stern; and long-time friend and colleague California State Assemblymember District 44 Jacqui Irwin. McKay and Irwin have been friends since their children were in elementary school. During the forum McKay held up a yearbook that included photos of herself and Irwin collaborating at Thousand Oaks’ Madro?a Elementary where McKay served as President of the PTA. She also served on the Thousand Oaks Traffic and Transportation Commission for eight years (2005 to 2013) under Irwin’s appointment.

The common thread throughout the discussion was that none of the participants thought of themselves as politicians, but rather community advocates who view politics as an extension of community service. The most difficult part of managing a campaign (the panelists agreed) is raising funds – asking friends and family for money. “I loaned money to my campaign, but didn’t feel right paying myself back afterwards,” McKay said. “So, I donated the funds to the Moorpark College Foundation.” McKay has served on the Board of Trustees since 2010. She was re-elected to a second 4-year term in 2014. The District serves three colleges (Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura).

Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and VCCCD Dianne McKay

The Ventura County Community College District is a member of the 113-campus California Community College system, and serves more than 50,000 students annually. The District’s three colleges- Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura- offer programs in general education for degrees and certificates, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, career technical education, and provide opportunities to engage in co-curricular campus activities. For more information, please visit www.vcccd.edu.

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