The California Psychological Association explored changing its large governing board structure due to difficulties managing the large number of voting members. A task force developed and recommended a new structure with a smaller board of 10 elected members that would meet more frequently and take on primary responsibility for policy, advocacy, and connecting with chapters and divisions. The board unanimously approved the new structure after an extensive review and discussion process. The changes aim to create a more engaged and effective governing board for the organization.

1. Planning for Change
California Psychological Association
(Presented to the California Dental Association on
September 27, 2013)

2. Current Structure
• 21 Regional Chapters
• 8 Divisions
• CPAGS Chair (Student Organization)
• Federal Advocacy Coordinators (2)
• Foundation Chair
• APA Council Representatives (2)
• Chairs of standing committees (if not already a Board
member in another capacity—currently 3 people meet
this criterion)
• 2013 Board—48 voting members!

3. Why We Explored
Change
• Large Board made serious work difficult to manage
• Due to size, meets 2 times/yr face to face, with 1
electronic meeting
• Executive Committee (elected Officers) are doing
most of the work of the Board (meets monthly)
• Bulky, not agile, and often not really engaged
• Thought we could do better, and create a real
working board

4. The Journey
• Task Force appointed in 2011
• Met twice monthly by phone, with 3 face to face meetings
• In-depth discussions at three CPA Board meetings
• Four phone calls open to all Board members to ask questions
of the Task Force members
• Presented report in October 2012, when board approved major
points and asked for detailed implementation plan
• Implementation plan unanimously approved by Board in
January 2013
• Bylaws change unanimously approved by Board in June 2013
• Currently awaiting approval by membership
• New structure implemented for 2015

5. Six Major Points
• All Board elected by the general membership of
CPA
• Substantially smaller (10 members)
• More frequent meetings (monthly
recommended)
• Board will continue to have primary
responsibility for creating policy
• Board will have primary responsibility for
legislative and advocacy activities
• Board will be knowledge/competency based and
accountable to the general membership

6. And…
• No Executive Committee
• All Board members assigned committees/tasks
• Board will have direct responsibility for link to
Chapters and Divisions (to maintain that connection)
• Meetings to be rotated geographically, if feasible,
and open to members

7. What We Hope to See
• Fully engaged and working Board
• Different way of connecting with our all of our
members
• Different way of connecting with our Chapters and
Divisions
• Leadership and development for the future as an
important responsibility of the Board

8. Why We Got to “Yes”
• Significant opportunity for discussion
• We learned to listen…carefully
• Task Force gave up ownership of a solution
• Emphasized that nothing is written in stone, and the
“new Board” can change things if they don’t work
• Board trusted the members of the Task Force and
were willing to take a leap of faith

9. We Did It!

10. Your Questions…