Interested in serving on the 2023-24 Cal Cities Board of Directors?

Mar 15, 2023

Do you have a keen understanding of the complex issues facing California's cities and how they are responding? Consider serving on the 2023-24 League of California Cities Board of Directors. Board members play a key role in shaping both state policy and the actions of Cal Cities.

Cal Cities is accepting applications from city officials interested in serving in one of six at-large board positions or as second vice president. Due to changing circumstances, Cal Cities is also accepting applications from city officials interested in serving as first vice president.

Applications are due before the close of business on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. Below are answers to common questions about board member duties and the application process. For questions or assistance, please contact Zach Seals at zseals@calcities.org or (916) 658-8204.

What are the positions on the Cal Cities Board of Directors?

The Board of Directors is composed of the officers (president, first vice president, second vice president, and immediate past president); one director elected by each of the 16 divisions; one director elected by each of the 10 functional departments; one director elected from each of the five caucuses; 12 directors-at-large, one of which shall be a small city representative (under 10,000 population); and one director designated by each of the 10 largest cities in California.

Cal Cities is currently seeking candidates for six at-large positions, first vice president, and second vice president. Applications for first vice president from southern California and second vice president from northern California are encouraged.

Who is eligible to serve on the Cal Cities Board?

To be eligible to serve on the Cal Cities Board you must be officially in city service in a member city. First and second vice president candidates must have served previously on the Board of Directors.

How long are the terms of office?

At-large board members serve a two-year term and may run for reelection. The two-year term for all newly elected 2023-24 board members begins immediately upon the adjournment of the Annual Conference and Expo in September 2023.

Cal Cities officers serve a term of one year, which begins immediately on the adjournment of the annual conference. Customarily, officers rotate through each of the officer positions, which requires a four-year commitment. Applicants for the first vice president position can expect a three-year commitment.

When are board meetings?

The Board of Directors typically meets on a quarterly basis at locations throughout the state. Officers and directors are expected to attend all meetings. A preliminary list of 2023-24 Board meeting dates is below. Cal Cities will communicate the meeting dates, times, and locations when finalized.

December 2023 Board Meeting: This meeting is generally held in conjunction with an event with the League Leaders — leadership from departments, policy committees, divisions, caucuses, and Board of Directors — to discuss the Cal Cities Action Agenda for the coming year.

February 2024 Board Meeting: This meeting is generally held during February at a location selected by the Cal Cities president.

April 2024 Board Meeting: This meeting is held in conjunction with the City Leaders Summit. This will be a special opportunity for local officials to promote the importance of local priority issues to the Legislature and the Administration.

June/July 2024 Board Meeting: This meeting is generally held in late June or July.

September 2024 Board Meeting: This meeting is held in conjunction with the Annual Conference and Expo.

How are travel expenses handled?

In general, Cal Cities pays actual and necessary travel expenses incurred by directors attending the regular two-day board meetings. However, Cal Cities does not pay the expenses or the registration for directors attending Cal Cities conferences or institutes, nor the expense of directors attending board meetings held in connection with the Annual Conference and Expo, on the theory that as a city official, each director would already be attending the conference or institute at the expense of the director’s city.

Expenses incurred by Cal Cities on behalf of the director, along with direct reimbursements, are reportable to the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) on the director’s Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700). Cal Cities will supply directors with the information necessary to submit the required information to the FPPC.

If I apply, how are the at-large board members and the first and second vice presidents selected?

After the application period closes on April 26, 2023, the Cal Cities’ nominating committee* will review all applications and select up to twelve finalists to interview for the six open at-large positions. All candidates for first and second vice president will be interviewed by the committee.

At-large finalists, as well as all candidates for first and second vice president, will be invited to interview with the nominating committee prior to the Cal Cities summer board meeting in July 2023. The at-large finalists and first and second vice president applicants will be contacted by email with their interview time and interview location. Applicants not selected to become finalists will be contacted by email and mail.

At the Board meeting directly following the nominating committee meeting, the Board will vote to accept the recommendations of the nominating committee in full or part or reject the recommendations. If the recommendations are accepted, the Board shall consider final action (approval) on the recommended candidates at the Annual Conference and Expo (Sept. 20-22, 2023, in Sacramento).

If the recommendations are accepted in part or rejected, the nominating committee shall make additional recommendations, which the Board shall consider either at the same meeting or in a subsequent special meeting called by the president, no less than 30 days before the annual conference. The final recommendations of the nominating committee will be announced at the opening general session of the annual conference (Sept. 20, 2023).

What are the roles and responsibilities of the Cal Cities Board of Directors?

In accordance with the bylaws of the League of California Cities and the policies of the Board, directors have the following collective and individual responsibilities:

General governance responsibilities

Determine and support the organization’s vision, mission, and core beliefs.
Select and support the chief executive.
Ensure adequate revenues and approve a budget for effective management of the revenues.
Assist the Board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, such as reviewing the annual financial statements and the budget.
Participate in grassroots activities in support of Cal Cities’ strategic priorities.
Support Cal Cities ballot measure fundraising activities for CITIPAC.
Determine, monitor, and strengthen the organization’s programs and services.
Review agenda and supporting materials prior to board meetings.
Attend all Board and general membership meetings, including periodic meetings by conference call, and notify the executive director of any planned or emergency absence and the reason for it. (Board members are only allowed three consecutive absences.)
Serve on the nominating or other committees and offer to take on special assignments.

Ethical responsibilities

Ensure legal and ethical integrity and maintain accountability.
Use your Cal Cities position responsibly.
Perform Board duties in good faith and with such care as necessary to promote the best interests of Cal Cities.
Become familiar with and follow conflict of interest legal requirements and policies to promote confidence in the Cal Cities’ decision-making.
Disclose potential conflicts of interest prior to voting on any matter before the Board.

Communication responsibilities

Facilitate two-way communication between Cal Cities and city officials within your sphere of influence (your own city, neighboring cities, division, department, caucus, policy committee, etc.).
Assume responsibility for interpreting Board policy to the membership. Ensure Cal Cities speaks with “one voice” once the Board has made a decision. Division and department representatives should report back directly on a regular basis.
Ensure that board members are aware of the views of city officials throughout the state.
Attend all appropriate division, department, or general membership meetings.
Seek out city officials who have the potential to strengthen Cal Cities and encourage their participation in their division, on the Cal Cities Board, etc.

Roles and responsibilities of Cal Cities first vice president

Carries out the duties of the president when they are unavailable.
Serves as a member of the Cal Cities Executive Committee.
Participates in weekly Executive Committee calls.
Helps to achieve the organization’s annual strategic priorities.
Represents the Cal Cities leadership team at various events.
Participates in Cal Cities meetings and conferences in Sacramento, and around the state.
As a member of the Cal Cities Executive Committee, attend and represent Cal Cities at the National League of Cities’ (NLC) national conferences:
- The City Summit is NLC’s annual conference and is held in a different city and state each year. The 2023 City Summit conference will be held in Atlanta, Georgia from Nov. 16-18.
- The Congressional City Conference is NLC’s legislative conference held in March each year in Washington, D.C. It is an opportunity for city officials to promote the importance of local priority issues to Congress and the Administration. The 2024 Congressional City Conference will be held March 9-10.
Serve as the Chair for the Cal Cities Finance Committee:
- The Board Finance Committee is charged with the responsibility to:
  - Collaborate with Cal Cities staff on the preparation of the Cal Cities budget for Board consideration.
  - Assist with financial matters such as reviewing the mid-year financial report and other internal financial issues as they arise.

Roles and responsibilities of Cal Cities second vice president

Carries out the duties of the president and first vice president when they are unavailable.
Serves as a member of the Cal Cities Executive Committee.
Participates in weekly Executive Committee calls.
Helps to achieve the organization’s annual strategic priorities.
Represents the Cal Cities leadership team at various events.
Participates in Cal Cities meetings and conferences in Sacramento, and around the state.
As a member of the Cal Cities Executive Committee, attend and represent Cal Cities at the National League of Cities’ (NLC) national conferences:
- The City Summit is NLC’s annual conference and is held in a different city and state each year. The 2023 City Summit conference will be held in Atlanta, Georgia from Nov. 16-18.
- The Congressional City Conference is NLC’s legislative conference held in March each year in Washington, D.C. It is an opportunity for city officials to promote the importance of local priority issues to Congress and the Administration. The 2024 Congressional City Conference will be held March 9-10.
Presides over the Resolutions Committee at the Annual Conference and Expo and presents the report of the Resolutions Committee to the General Assembly at the annual conference.
Serves as Chair for the Cal Cities Audit Committee and as a member of the Board Finance Committee:
- The Cal Cities Audit Committee is charged with the responsibility to:
  - Select Cal Cities’ independent auditor.
  - Oversee the audit contract and interact directly with the audit team.
  - Identify any audit issues and, along with the independent auditor, report these to the board.
  - Coordinate with staff to ensure adequacy of accounting and internal control systems.
- The Board Finance Committee is charged with the responsibility to:
  - Collaborate with Cal Cities staff on the preparation of the Cal Cities budget for Board consideration.
  - Assist with financial matters such as reviewing the mid-year financial report and other internal financial issues as they arise.

How do I apply?

The application form is available here. If you are submitting applications for multiple positions, you will need to fill out each application separately. Please note that the application text boxes expand to accommodate responses and that a bio or resume attachment is required at the time of submission. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Zach Seals at zseals@calcities.org or (916) 658-8204.

*2023 Nominating Committee: Chair: Randi Johl, Director of Legislative Affairs/City Clerk, Temecula; Teresa Acosta, Council Member, Carlsbad; Melanie Bagby, Council Member, Cloverdale; Phil Dupper, Mayor, Loma Linda; Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Mayor, Alameda; Neysa Fligor, Council Member, Los Altos; Karen Goh; Mayor, Bakersfield; Marshall Goodman, Mayor Pro Tem, La Palma; Jim Lewis, City Manager, Pismo Beach; John Minto, Mayor, Santee; Richard Montgomery, Mayor Pro Tem, Manhattan Beach; Scott Nassif, Mayor, Apple Valley; Tyller Williamson, Mayor, Monterey