A BIRD'S EYE VIEW INSIDE YOUR CP CAL BOARDROOM
Come fly with me as I take you on a whirlwind tour of your CPCal Board in action. On July 27 th and 28th the Board of Directors gathered together in Pasadena for our annual weekend retreat. During the two-day series of meetings and social gatherings with families and friends, much was accomplished for the benefit of not only our member groups and the individuals they serve, but of the California community at large. Here is a description of what we are now doing, what we plan to do in the future, and how you can participate.
First and foremost: the Board made a conscious commitment to embrace communication among the members of the Board and you, as our most distinguished member groups, in order to bridge the interchange of ideas and the flow of information. We start with identifying communication as a top priority to address at all delegate conclaves; namely, on Friday, November 1st in Northern California and soon to follow in Southern California. So, bottom-line, gather together your ideas, feel free to comment, make suggestions, get ready . . . we are coming at you!
Next up, we are determined to get our delegates and other individuals from the member groups involved in CPCal's numerous committees. Our committee chairs plan to move over and share the chairpersonship with some of your delegates. We plan to enlist many of you who have volunteered to serve on committees. Serving is so rewarding, not only from a professional but also from a personal standpoint. It energizes you; satisfies your appetite for the Collaborative cause; and provides a platform for networking with your colleagues from all allied professions. Last, but not least, you are bringing a real live voice to the general public. Step up to the plate; get involved in one or more of the following committees and task forces:
Delegate Relations, Practice Excellence, Legislation, Diversity, NorCal PEC, SoCal PEC, Website/Social Media, Divorce Options, Professional Outreach, Public Education, Newsletter, Revenue & Fundraising.
Now to some specifics. Let's start with Divorce Options 2.0. Many of you know we launched this project at the CPCal Celebration in Manhattan Beach back in April. Under the auspices of the very talented co-chairpersons, Kathleen O'Connor and George Richardson, together with board members Stephanie Maloney and Charlie Spiegel, all their committee members, our administrator, Paula Jackson, we are grateful for their unheralded hours, pure, unadulterated "blood sweat and tears." CPCal unveiled Divorce Options 2.0, and its use by you, our member groups, is now spreading like wildfire. Feedback from you has been extremely positive. However, the public service message established in Divorce Options 2.0 needs constant tweaking and updating. The committee has developed a time-table for updating divorce options materials. On or about October 1st you should be hearing more from us.
Almost all of our member groups have signed the Divorce Options 2.0 Certification; and certified member groups have been downloading the new materials from the dropbox. Comments are being received and considered for updating. We encourage prospective presenters to get training for how to conduct Divorce Options workshops so we can maintain uniformity throughout California. The message to the public should be consistent. For those of you who have presented Divorce Options 2.0: keep up the good work! For those who have not yet presented: you are in for a real treat!
So, what's new on the legislative front? Many of you are aware that the Uniform Collaborative Law Act (UCLR/A) has been adopted in seven (7) states throughout the United States and legislation is pending in several other states. Our statute has been drafted and circulated for comment. We have had preliminary conversations with legislators and have formed strategic alliances with such stakeholders in California as the domestic violence community. We are planning a "Day in Sacramento," where members of our board will meet, one on one, with key legislators and administrative staff. Stay tuned.
This year, the Board has made a concerted effort to get ahead of the curve on diversity. We identified and pinpointed the necessity for increasing diversity among the Collaborative professionals, increasing diversity within the communities to which Collaborative process services are available, and expanding the Collaborative model to include a diversity component. Some of the goals established by the Board are: to provide service to a diverse cross-section of families so that Collaborative Practice may be expanded throughout California; to increase diversity within the allied professions serving the Collaborative process; to enhance and develop cultural competencies; to stay relevant to the changing dimensions, needs and environments; to embrace the future generation of practitioners for considering the Collaborative model; to inform and educate all diverse populations that the Collaborative model is available to all Californians; to develop practice excellence among practitioners for working in the diversity field; and to increase diversity within the Board, committees, and delegates.
We are just scratching the surface. To address and meet these goals, the Board eagerly and enthusiastically established short- and long-range plans for addressing such goals. You will be asked to join in projects such as: inviting various cultural groups to educate our Collaborative community; inviting professional diversity trainers to educate our Collaborative community; developing and strengthening Collaborative models for modest means families; developing public education programs for high schools and colleges; including diversity for presentations to business and other groups within the community; mentoring future delegates and Collaborative practitioners for Board opportunities; and developing and integrating our skill-set to include diversity awareness. Needless to say we are excited; and you should be also!
Now that you have had a peek inside the Boardroom, what do you think? Our phone lines are open; all Board members are accessible to you. Feel free to pick up the phone or write to us; and we will get back to you immediately. I am tickled pink to have such a dedicated Board working with me. I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of this Board; and that it is an honor to share the Collaborative continuum with them. You are fortunate to have such leaders who possess passion, courage, trust, generosity, work ethic and conviction. A bird's eye view and the photos you see in this Newsletter shine on Suzan, Warren, Julia, Justin, Charles, Dawn, Hal, Jann, Carol, Peg, Stephanie, Natalie, Jay, Shawn, Randy and David. Thank you.
Take care,
Fred
Fred Glassman
President, CP Cal
310-207-0007