Mission Statement
The Pennsylvania Statewide Latino Coalition (PSLC) is a non-profit, non-partisan alliance of Latino leaders, organizations, community activists, students, and individuals that serves as a statewide institutional catalyst for positive social change and political advancement. Its primary purpose is to analyze issues of common concern to Latino communities throughout the Commonwealth and develop strategies for espousing and advocating a Latino perspective before the various levels of government, the private sector and other relevant institutions.

Vision Statement
PSLC seeks to serve as an instrument for the unification of community voices to take action by advocating for empowerment, protection of human and civil rights, and building a solid social and political movement. PSLC proactively addresses issues and concerns such as: economic development and education, leadership development and political advancement. This coalition of leaders has come together to proactively address issues and concerns, which are impacting the social, economic, educational and political advancement of Pennsylvania's Latino population.

PSLC Goals
To call attention to the state's Latino issues and concerns, the coalition has determined it should take positive action to provide public awareness. PSLC sponsors an annual three-day conference of workshops and seminars, designed to promote a statewide agenda. The conference attracts a broad spectrum of individuals and organizations that are interested in learning how to better serve their Latino clients and constituents.

The PSLC Organizational Structure
The PSLC has established an operating structure that helps advance its work. An organizational framework that is inclusive and representative of any Latino community that exercises their right to participate in the PSLC. The basic structure is designed to allow for the integration of interested and potential members and a decision-making process that takes into consideration the efficient and legal operation of the organization.

Who we are and what we do
In 1995, activists from throughout Pennsylvania’s Latino communities came together to develop an organization that would be an advocate voice and an organizing tool for Latinos in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As a result, the Pennsylvania Statewide Latino Coalition (PSLC) was established in 1996. It was determined that one tool that could be utilized to bring together Latinos from throughout the state was to establish a statewide conference to focus on a broad range of issues and concerns affecting Latino populations and communities.

The first PSLC conference entitled Nuestra America - Año 2000: Reclamando Lo Nuestro was held October 1996. The conference was held in Harrisburg and included a march on the State Capitol to bring legislative attention to the concerns of Latinos in Pennsylvania as part of a proactive agenda. The march to the capitol rotunda focusing on legislative issues was repeated in 1997 and 1998. Until 2000, the focus of the organization was the development of the conference, which continued to annually bring together some 700 Latinos and non-Latinos to work on addressing the issues confronting Latinos through education, organizing and networking.

In 2001, PSLC moved to concentrate its efforts on the development of its role as an advocate organization for Latinos in the commonwealth. An interim board of directors was appointed to focus on organizational development while a committee continued to work on the 2001 conference. In 2002, the PSLC moved from a volunteer board of community activists to a membership organization with a board of directors nominated and elected by the members-at-large.

The first elections took place in 2002 at the 7th PSLC Annual Conference. Also, for the first time, a local community offered to host the annual conference in a move to bring the conference to the local regions. Previously the conference had always convened in Harrisburg or Philadelphia. As a result of those local efforts, the 2003 conference was held in the Lehigh Valley and was a tremendous success in content, support, attendance, and local impact.

This year, the newly elected board of directors has concentrated on the development of its advocacy efforts. They have established an organizational structure that includes regional committees to encourage input at the local levels regarding their issues of concern. In addition, in its new role as a proactive advocacy organization, PSLC became involved in a lawsuit challenging the lack of equity in the hiring practices of the police department in the city of Reading.

In 2004, the organization’s focus is on developing and strengthening the regional committees. In addition, the board plans to continue to strengthen PSLC as an advocacy organization, with this being their primary focus, and developing a standing committee that will assume the responsibility for development of the annual conference.

The PSLC is the result of the contributions of numerous individuals to its growth and development since its inception in 1996.

The Board is the official body for the establishment of policy and procedures for the operation of the PSLC. The Board of Directors consists of 23 elected members (including student representatives) and 1 non-voting appointed GACLA representative. Elections are held during the PSLC General Assembly at our Annual Conference.

To qualify to become a candidate, nominees must:

• have been an active member serving on a standing committee for a minimum of one year;
• be a PSLC member at least 90 days prior to the PSLC Annual General Assembly;
• submit nomination at least 60 days prior to Annual PSLC General Assembly;
• have membership dues up-to-date;
• be of Latino descent; and
• be a Pennsylvania resident.

Board Directors Duties:

• will serve at least a two year term
• must serve on at least one Standing Committee
• are expected to attend scheduled board meetings (at least 6 per year)
• abstain from engaging in partisan activities while representing PSLC at any activity or function.