Welcome Letter

Welcome to CAJPA’s leadership!

On behalf of the CAJPA Board of Directors, committee members and staff, I want to thank you for your willingness to be part of California’s voice for risk sharing pools. CAJPA was founded in 1981, when the pooling concept for insurance purposes was still relatively new and fairly obscure. Not wanting to venture alone in unchartered waters, CAJPA was formed to meet the need for communication and cooperation among the newly formed JPAs. CAJPA has always taken challenges head-on and provides its members with essential member benefits and advocacy unique to California’s risk sharing pools. For the last 39 years, CAJPA has provided its members with up-to-date professional development opportunities, an accreditation program requiring the highest of standards, impactful advocacy at both the Capitol and with state regulators; as well as a family-like culture where professionals share knowledge and support one another. As a member of CAJPA’s Board of Directors, you will be playing a part in the future of the organization, providing input and making vital decisions on how to best serve our members. Regardless if you are one of the nine elected board members or one of the committee chairs, you will find a strong unity of purpose on the CAJPA Board. Currently, the Board of Directors meets virtually each month. We have an annual multi-day strategic planning session as well. Directors are encouraged to attend as many CAJPA events as possible. CAJPA is managed by an association management company, Smith Moore & Associates, with its headquarters located in downtown Sacramento, California. We have included a staff roster with roles and responsibilities to assist you. If you ever need assistance or have questions, please feel free to reach out to staff. CAJPA’s legislative advocate is Faith Lane Borges with California Advocates. Again, thank you for your service to CAJPA and its members. We look forward to working with you. Most sincerely,

Catherine Smith Executive Director

Catherine Smith

As a board member, you are in a unique position to make an invaluable contribution to the effectiveness of CAJPA’s Board, the performance of CAJPA as an organization and to promote the role of risk sharing JPA’s in California. Each of you comes to the place of leadership as a subject matter expert within California’s public risk sharing community. That knowledge will be beneficial as a board member. That said, the role of a board member of a non-profit association is unique and will require each of you to perhaps learn a new role, especially if you haven’t served previously as a board member.

Today’s boards are being held to a higher level of scrutiny to ensure legal and ethical integrity. Today’s boards are committed to greater transparency and seekers of new and innovative ways to serve members. Your service on CAJPA’s Board of Directors will require more than good will, common sense and good intentions. Your decision to step into a leadership role reflects that you are committed to serving as part of the governing body. No individual board member has any authority to singularly make a decision on behalf of the full Board. Many boards discuss what is termed “a unity of purpose” – so each of those serving is committed to the same outcomes.

There shall be a Board of Directors consisting of nine (9) voting members elected from among the Regular JPA Members of CAJPA and elected by all other Regular JPA Members. Chairs of standing committees shall also serve as ex-officio, non-voting members of the Board of Directors. That said, all of the CAJPA Board members are asked to actively engage in all Board discussions. Voting is the only difference between the two types of board members.

Good boards focus on setting direction, ensuring and protecting resources, acting as ambassadors, and providing operational oversight. CAJPA is primarily a volunteer-driven organization with the support of an association management company and legislative advocacy firm so clarity of direction and fiscal stability is key to moving forward. As well, being a visible and influential organization in California which represents almost all public entity risk sharing pools in the state being an advocate, ambassador and voice of California’s for our members and the public agencies they serve is a high-priority.

Come to meetings prepared. Understand the organization’s strategic vision. Understand your roles and responsibilities as a board member. Speak your mind but ultimately support any and all final decisions of the Board externally. Have no hidden agendas. Be engaged. Be an advocate for CAJPA and risk sharing pools across California.