A more nimble, member-centered CSBA takes shape
Published: April 30, 2012
Now in its ninth decade of service to California’s K-12 public schools, the former “California School Trustees Association” continues to change with the times. CSBA Executive Director Vernon M. Billy describes the results as a streamlined and more efficient organization, one better positioned than ever before to “drive the education agenda.”
As part of a comprehensive reorganization, the association reduced 10 major divisions to just seven, organized around CSBA’s core mission. Key to that reorganization was the integration of several components into two areas: the Member Services Department and the Policy and Programs Department.
Member Services
Martin Gonzalez, one of CSBA’s longest-serving staffers who formerly oversaw financial programs and policy services, continues to be in charge of much of that and more as the assistant executive director who heads Member Services.
Member Services includes both membership and leadership development—from training activities (including the Annual Education Conference and Trade Show) and the Masters in Governance program to governance consulting, policy development and update services and governance technology services (GAMUT Online, Agenda Online and Manual Maintenance). Gonzalez also oversees the California School Boards Foundation, responsible for CSBA’s esteemed Golden Bell Awards.
“Our membership and their interests will always remain at the center of what we do,” said Gonzalez. “We are working diligently to recruit and retain our members, with a focus on understanding their needs so we can provide the educational resources and support to help them effectively govern their school districts and county offices of education. We understand the needs of our members, and we’re developing trainings, services and supports to serve those needs better than ever.”
Policy and Programs
The new Policy and Programs Department combines policy analysis with governance research and organizational development.
As Executive Director Billy noted, “It’s the first time the association has had a separate division solely dedicated to developing policy and research positions that support the work of the association and the mission and vision.”
Angelo Williams heads the department as assistant executive director for Policy and Programs. Williams, who holds a doctorate in education, is a former program officer with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, where he managed a portfolio of education and economic development grants.
“When we say Policy and Programs, we really mean policy analysis and foundation work,” Williams explained.
In addition to representing CSBA at the State Board of Education and Commission on Teacher Credentialing, Policy and Programs is focused on producing a comprehensive series of alerts, briefs, advisories and manuals to inform CSBA’s members about critical policy and governance issues. The Policy and Programs team will also be supporting the work of CSBA’s task forces, committees and working groups, and overseeing grant work.
“We believe that if we support policy and programs that ensure good governance, help close the achievement gap, focus on the conditions of children and fight for fair and adequate funding, we will create the conditions to bring CSBA’s vision and mission to fruition,” Williams said.
‘Strategic implementation’
A “blueprint” Executive Director Billy has been developing with input from CSBA staff and guidance from the Board of Directors also contributed to the new departments’ structure, and it guides other changes as CSBA strives for continuous improvement.
“We’ve done strategic planning,” as Williams noted. “We need to do strategic implementation.”
Easy link:
-
Find out more about CSBA's vision, mission, Policy Platform and governance