December 2, 2009

Catholic lobbyist appointed to national board

Jenny Kraska, executive director of the Colorado Catholic Conference, was recently nominated to serve on the board of the National Association of State Catholic Conference Directors (NASCCD). Kraska told the Denver Catholic Register the nomination came as quite a surprise.

“I’m very honored at this,” she said. “It wasn’t something I had on my radar.  My name came up before the committee and then I received a call saying that my name had been nominated.  It was completely unexpected and exciting.”

The confirmation vote on her nomination will take place this week. The term of service is two years at each officer position—treasurer, secretary, vice president and president—for a total of eight years. 

The NASCCD is made up of state conference directors from across the country.  Started in 1968, the association’s purpose is to facilitate and encourage the exchange of information among its members pertaining to the activities, programs and organization of the conferences.  The organization gets together twice a year to review policies and laws sponsored at the state level and to discuss initiatives that are presented at the national level.

The Colorado Catholic Conference, a united voice of the three Catholic dioceses of the state, speaks on public policy issues using a three-pronged approach of education, advocacy and the development of lay leadership.  Working with religious and secular groups in promoting the common good of the people of Colorado in the areas of life issues, health, housing, employment, education, corrections and other basic needs, the organization interacts with the state Legislature, U.S. Congress and elected officials.  Kraska has been executive director of this organization since January 2008.