One of the most important aspects of CSBA membership is the opportunity for involvement it gives board members, administrators, school districts and county offices of education. You and your board are encouraged to actively participate in CSBA governance and programs. In doing so, you benefit your schools, your students and yourself. Take advantage of the many opportunities CSBA has to offer and get involved in setting the direction for the association and for California public schools.
- Help craft the Policy Platform
- Join the Grassroots Advocacy Network
- Respond to Action Alerts
- Run for Delegate Assembly
- Become a director or executive committee member
- Participate in professional development
- Attend CSBA’s Annual Education Conference and Trade Show
- Adopt and promote Professional Governance Standards
Help craft the Policy Platform
CSBA's Policy Platform guides the association in its policy and political leadership activities, partnership efforts, research and philanthropic activity, as well as working with the public. Learn more about the Policy Platform here.
Delegate Assembly
Delegates serve as integral members of the policy-making body of CSBA. This important role involves attending two Delegate Assembly meetings and several regional caucuses each year. Delegates review the work of the Policy Platform Committee, adopt bylaws, and establish CSBA’s position on key issues. Local board members elect delegates to be their representatives on the CSBA Delegate Assembly. Districts nominate candidates between November 1 and January 7 each year and CSBA member boards cast their votes for delegates between February 1 and March 15.
Become a director or executive committee member
Elections for directors are held each year. Regional directors must be nominated by a delegate from that region. Directors-at-Large must be nominated by a member board and are elected by the Delegate Assembly.
The Executive Committee is comprised of the president, president-elect, vice president and immediate past president. These officers meet approximately once a month, providing direction and leadership for the association and serving as CSBA’s key spokespersons. They are elected by delegates at the Delegate Assembly just prior to the Annual Education Conference.
Participate in professional development
CSBA offers a wide variety of workshops and training opportunities throughout the year, focusing on state and national issues and trends, curriculum and instruction, federal and state legislation, boardsmanship, board-superintendent relations and fiscal policy. The Institute for New and First-Term Board Members is a highly acclaimed two-day seminar that focuses on budget, personnel and curriculum. In addition, the Masters in Governance program provides board members with an opportunity to complete a comprehensive curriculum of 60 hours of instruction and participation and receive certification upon completion.
Attend CSBA’s Annual Education Conference and Trade Show
CSBA’s Annual Education Conference and Trade Show has something for everyone — board members, superintendents, chief business officials, top administrative staff, personnel directors, curriculum directors and vocational education administrators. The conference includes keynote addresses from noted educational, political and social leaders, a robust schedule of workshops, and a trade show. It’s carefully planned by board members and superintendents from throughout the state, representing districts and county offices of education of all sizes and diversity.
Adopt and promote Professional Governance Standards
Boards are encouraged to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to effective governance by adopting and utilizing CSBA’s Professional Governance Standards. The standards provide a framework for understanding the role of individual trustees, how boards and superintendents work effectively as a governing team, and the critical jobs that boards carry out. Individual board members play a valuable role in promoting effective governance for public education and preserving local board decision-making authority by promoting the standards in their communities.