Our vision statement: People with disabilities enjoy equality, dignity, power, freedom of choice, independence

Summary of
frequently asked questions
about our board of directors

1. How many people serve on the Board of Directors?

Fifteen to nineteen.

2. Who appoints members of the Board?

The current Board of Directors appoints new members to the Board.

3. How long are the terms of each appointment?

Each term is three years. Members may be re-appointed for a second term. Terms are staggered.

4. What are the eligibility requirements of Board positions?

In general, members of our Board of Directors reflect the diverse constituency served by Disability Rights California. We are mandated by federal acts to serve individuals with developmental, mental, physical, learning and sensory disabilities. Persons with disabilities, family members, attorneys, professionals, and providers are all represented on the Board. PAI is also committed to appointing members which represent California’s diverse ethnic and cultural communities and makes efforts to insure the Board reflects different geographic areas of the state.

5. What are Board members’ responsibilities?

The Board provides overall direction for Disability Rights California. A more specific job description may be found at www.disabilityrightsca.org. Generally, the Board does its work through standing committees. Each Board member serves on at least one committee. Board members are also responsible for fundraising, participation in some outreach events and recruiting new members.

6. What is a Public Member?

Our Board added Public Members to the Legislation and Diversity Committees. Public Members help insure that these Committees receive input from individuals which reflect California’s diverse ethnic, cultural and disability communities. Public members serve as full members of the Legislation and Diversity Committees. They receive all Committee materials and vote on matters that come before the Committee. They are reimbursed for their expenses in the same way that all Board members are reimbursed. Public members currently serve one year terms and are eligible for reappointment.

7. What is the PAIMI Council?

The PAIMI Council advises the Board on policies and priorities regarding: services to persons with psychiatric disabilities; reviews PAIMI goals and priorities and assists in the annual PAIMI Program Performance Review process.

8. How many Board meetings are held each year, and where are they held?

There are four meetings held a year. They are held in different areas of the state to be more accessible to our constituents. Generally, meetings are held in Sacramento, the Greater Los Angeles area, the San Francisco Bay area, and San Diego.

9. How long are the meetings and what other time obligations are there?

Regular Board meetings are always on a Saturday. Committees of the Board usually meet the Friday before the Board meeting. Board members usually serve on at least one Committee of the Board. Committees include: Finance, Legislation, Diversity and PAIMI Advisory Council. In addition, the Board officers serve on the Executive Committee.

10. What about expenses for Board members?

All travel, room, and board expenses connected with the Board meeting are paid for by PAI. PAI also provides reasonable disability related accommodations for Board members. Members are not paid an honorarium for their services.

11. Are there any prohibitions regarding appointments?

No person shall be appointed or continue to serve as a Director who is:
(1) a contractor of the Agency;
(2) is an employee of the Agency;
(3) as a result of their employment or other activities impedes the Agency’s ability to be independent of any agency that provides treatment, services or habilitation to individuals with disabilities as required by federal law.

No more than one-third (1/3) of the members of the Board may have any loyalty or economic conflict of interest as defined below. Any director with a loyalty or economic conflict of interest shall disclose such conflict and abstain from voting on or deliberating in any action involving provider or program services which causes the conflict. No director may vote on or deliberate in any Board action which would result in that director becoming a contractor of the Agency.
(1) Economic conflict of interest shall mean any person who derives a substantial income or earnings from, or has an investment or ownership interest in, any provider of program services. Substantial income or earnings shall mean 25% of a person's gross annual income or earnings.
(2) Loyalty conflict of interest shall mean any person who is an officer or director of any provider of program services.
(3) Contractor of Disability Rights California shall mean any person who is an employee, officer, director, or owner of any public or private entity which receives a grant from and/or contracts directly with the Agency, whether or not such person is a provider of program services.

12. How do I apply for a position on the Board?

You may fill out an application and submit it at any time. Notices of vacancies are posted on our website and sent to numerous agencies on a regular basis. In addition, the application may be obtained from our website as well. In general, applications (or updates) are due three to four months prior to the position becoming vacant.

13. Where can I get more information?

Please feel free to contact our Administrative Unit at 916.488.9955.