Dear Collaborative Colleague,

 Name (including nickname)?

Paula Jane Jackson, also known as "PJ."

Your family composition?

I live in Novato with my husband Doug and our cat Jill.

Work history before becoming involved with Collaborative Practice? What responsibilities did you have then?

In the mid '70s -early '80s I lived in Hawaii and managed a bookstore called The Book Cache, which was a branch of a bookstore chain in Alaska. In the mid '80s-mid '90s I worked at the San Francisco Foundation, wearing many hats. I handled operations and facilities management, human resources management, ran the multi-cultural fellowship program and the philanthropy grantmaking program, and provided special assistance to the director. In the late '90s I was a program executive at Northern California Grantmakers, coordinating the professional development program for member grantmakers, staffing the Summer Youth Project and the AIDS Task Force, and producing the Guide to California Foundations. I also did consulting for the California Maritime Academy, planning and implementing their first donor database program. In the 2000s, I worked with both AFCC and AAML, coordinating the AFCC-CA conference and the AAML-NorCal Chapter Annual Symposium.

When did you first become involved with collaborative practice?

That was in 2001, when I got involved with the American Institute of Collaborative Professionals (now known as the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals).

Who roped you in?  

That would be my sister Jennifer Jackson. Jenni was one of the founders of AICP/IACP, together with Pauline Tesler, Nancy Ross, Peggy Thompson and others.

What was your job title? What were your responsibilities?

There were no titles back then! Jenni and I had worked together on one of the AAML Symposiums, and she enlisted me to coordinate the second IACP Forum in Emeryville, California. This was in October, 2001 just after 9/11--100 people showed up, surpassing our wildest expectations. My responsibilities grew quickly, from coordinating the annual Forum to managing the database, maintaining membership files and corporate documents, coordinating board meetings and retreats, copyediting and laying out the Collaborative Review and working on the website (together with editor and webmaster Jenni), producing the online newsletter, and handling the bookkeeping. My title evolved into Administrator. It was a great ride.

Then, in 2006 I was contacted by Hal Bartholomew to coordinate the first annual Celebration for CP Cal in Sonoma. It was co-sponsored by IACP. Over 200 people attended! I've coordinated all of the CP Cal Celebrations since then (except in 2007 in Pasadena).

When did CP Cal beg you to come on board?

In October, 2011, Randy Cheek--who was president at the time--invited me on board to do work similar to the work I did for IACP.

What were your responsibilities initially? How has that changed?

At first, in addition to coordinating Celebrations, I worked on producing the newsletter, managing content on the website, maintaining member group lists and corporate documents, and working with the board on meetings and retreats. My time has increased to include more board, finance, and committee work.

What was your job title? Now?

At first, Administrator. Now it's Executive Director.

What is your estimate of how much of your time is spent on CP Cal work?

It's roughly 35 hours a month or so, but is always more time than I realize.

What is it about non-profits that attracts you?

I guess I would give the classic response: Making a difference in the world. I like to follow the "path with heart": I look forward to each day because I love what I do; I have balance in my life and have time for myself, friends and family; I feel motivated and productive in my work; I feel valued and appreciated; and I feel that the work I do is of service to others.

Are you part of any professional organizations for folks who do the kinds of administrative work that CP Cal receives from you? How does that help you with this work?

Yes, I belong to ASAE (the American Society of Association Executives), an organization with more than 20,000 members in the U.S. There is a wealth of resources on the website, as well as a magazine and various listservs (they even have a private social network called "Collaborate"). I can post a question and get answers immediately from colleagues across the country. I learn best practices and benefit from the research they do. I can share articles and items of interest with board and committee members.

What is your favorite thing about your work with CP Cal?

The people! This is an amazing group of dedicated professionals. I love coming to Celebration and seeing familiar faces, reconnecting with friends, and meeting new people--all working toward a shared goal. It's fantastic.

Your vision for where/what the collaborative community generally will be five years from now?

Whenever I mention "Collaborative Practice/Collaborative Law/Collaborative Divorce," everyone will know what that is. People will know the difference between Collaborative and mediation. People can easily distinguish between Collaborative and collaborative (little 'c') processes. There will be enough public awareness of the Collaborative process option that people will be asking for it and practitioners can make a living doing it. The Collaborative model is flexible enough to fit different budgets and different needs of different couples without sacrificing the core components (participation/disqualification agreement, transparency amongst professionals, full, honest and voluntary disclosure, etc.).

Your vision for CP Cal five years from now?

I would like to see all Collaborative Practice groups in California be members of CP Cal. I hope to see more and more talented and diverse people get involved who are not yet members of practice groups, so that groups have a wider pool from which to select delegates and we have a wider pool of delegates as board candidates. I look forward to seeing our outreach to mental health, financial and other communities bear fruit. I'd love to see our website as the "go-to" place for information and resources. We have an ever-growing "Toolbox" of resources in the member area of the website (and I'd love to know that every member of every practice group knows how to log in to the member area. Contact me if you don't!  info@cpcal.com). I hope that CP Cal--board, committees,delegates and member groups--stays focused on its values and objectives and always remembers what it's here for, while staying human, collegial and fun.

The person who influenced you the most to be in this community?

No surprise--My sister Jenni (and other AICP/IACP founders, not to mention Stu Webb!) who got me started, and also the many folks with whom I've worked over the years who have been so inspiring and supportive. Presidents Randy Cheek, David Fink, Fred Glassman and incoming President Suzan Barrie Aiken, to name a few among many.

What is your favorite activity when not doing your professional work?

I take tap dancing classes, I'm in a reading group, I attend my husband Doug's concerts and gigs, I'm an avid Scrabble player, I love to cook and have parties, I love kids (11 nieces and nephews, 20 grand-nieces and -nephews), and I love to travel.

Thank you!

Thank you, Peg!   You've been a great newsletter editor and an outstanding Board member. It's been a pleasure working with you. And, since one of my responsibilities at CP Cal is producing the newsletter, I'm taking the liberty of including a photo of you!