President Roles and Responsibilities

• Executive Leadership
• Chief Executive Officer of the Association.
• Presiding Officer of the Board of Directors.
• Official spokesperson for SDPA.
• Responsible for implementing the Board-approved Strategic Plan.
• Oversees the day-to-day operations of the Association.
• Supervises the Executive Officers, Office Manager, and independent contractors.
• Ensures the Association complies with its governing documents and applicable laws.
• Chair of the Executive Committee

The President serves as Chair of the Executive Committee, which oversees the Association between Board meetings and assists with strategic planning and organizational leadership.

Finance Committee

The President serves as one of the members of the Finance Committee, working with the Treasurer to:

• Review the financial health of the Association.
• Develop the annual budget.
• Monitor financial procedures.
• Ensure proper stewardship of Association assets.

Ex-Officio Voting Member

The President serves as an ex-officio voting member of all SDPA committees, unless otherwise specified by the Bylaws. This allows the President to participate in committee discussions and votes while supporting committee leadership.

Committee Leadership

• Oversees the work of all committees.
• Recruits and recommends committee chairs for Board approval.
• Assists committees in solving problems.
• Conducts Committee Chairs Meetings.
• Works with Board Liaisons to support committee success.

Strategic Planning

• Leads implementation of the Strategic Plan.
• Monitors progress toward annual goals.
• Ensures committee work aligns with Board priorities.
• Presents the Strategic Plan during the annual State of the Association meeting.

Board Responsibilities

• Presides over Board meetings.
• Sets Board agendas (with assistance as appropriate).
• Organizes the January Board Installation.
• Organizes the annual Board Retreat.
• Facilitates Board discussions and decision-making.
• Ensures Board actions are implemented.

State of the Association

• Conducts the annual State of the Association.
• Presents the Strategic Plan.
• Reports on organizational priorities and direction to the membership.

Office Supervision

• Meets regularly with the Office Manager.
• Supervises independent contractors.
• Coordinates operational activities.
• Ensures Board policies are implemented by staff.

Event Oversight

The President provides overall oversight for:

• Conferences
• Continuing Education programs
• Member events
• Committee-sponsored activities
• The President ensures these activities are conducted in accordance with Board approval and the Strategic Plan.

California Psychological Association (CPA) Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary liaison with CPA.
• Ensures SDPA fulfills CPA Chapter obligations whenever feasible.
• Represents SDPA in state leadership activities when appropriate.

The President-Elect serves one year preparing to assume the office of President.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Work closely with the President to gain knowledge and leadership experience.
• Develop the Strategic Plan and proposed budget for the upcoming presidential year.
• Assist with leadership initiatives and Board projects.
• Serve on the Executive Committee.
• Serve on the Finance Committee.
• Serve on the Nominations, Elections and Awards Committee.
• Serve as an ex officio (voting) member of all committees and task forces.

See Chapter 3 of the Policies and Procedures Manual for additional responsibilities.

The Immediate Past President provides continuity in leadership by advising and supporting the current President and Board.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Provide guidance and institutional knowledge.
• Chair the Nominations, Elections and Awards Committee.
• Serve on the Executive Committee.
• Assist with Board succession planning and leadership development.

Committee Liaison Assignments

• Fellows Committee
• Nominations, Elections and Awards Committee (Standing)
• Past Presidents Committee

See Chapter 3 of the Policies and Procedures Manual for additional responsibilities.

The Secretary is responsible for ensuring the official records of the Association are maintained.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Oversee the recording and maintenance of Board and membership meeting minutes.
• Ensure required notices are issued.
• Maintain official corporate records.
• Oversee membership records maintained by the SDPA Office.

See Chapter 3 of the Policies and Procedures Manual for additional responsibilities.

The Treasurer serves as the chief financial officer of SDPA and oversees the financial health of the Association.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Monitor the Association's finances.
• Present monthly financial reports to the Board.
• Present the annual financial report to the membership.
• Oversee financial policies and internal controls.
• Chair the Finance Committee.
• Serve on the Executive Committee.

Committee Liaison Assignment

• Finance Committee (Standing)

See Chapter 3 of the Policies and Procedures Manual for additional responsibilities.

The Treasurer-Elect serves one year preparing to assume the office of Treasurer.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Work with the Treasurer to learn the Association's financial operations.
• Assist with budget development and financial oversight.
• Serve on the Executive Committee.
• Serve on the Finance Committee.

See Chapter 3 of the Policies and Procedures Manual for additional responsibilities.

The Graduate Student Representative serves as the voice of graduate student members and promotes student engagement within SDPA.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Chair the Graduate Student Committee.
• Serve as Board liaison to the Graduate Student Committee.
• Represent the interests of graduate student members.
• Promote student participation in SDPA programs and leadership opportunities.

Member-at-Large

Members-at-Large serve as voting members of the SDPA Board of Directors and provide leadership, governance, and oversight in support of the Association's mission and strategic goals. In addition to participating in Board decision-making, each Member-at-Large serves as the primary liaison between the Board and one or more assigned committees.

Primary Responsibilities

Members-at-Large are expected to:

• Attend and actively participate in all Board of Directors meetings and Board retreats.
• Review Board meeting materials in advance and participate in informed decision-making.
• Serve as a voting member of the Board and exercise fiduciary responsibility in the best interests of SDPA.
• Act as the Board liaison to assigned committees by providing guidance, support, and communication between the Board and committee leadership.
• Attend committee meetings and committee-sponsored events whenever possible.
• Communicate Board actions, priorities, and strategic initiatives to assigned Committee Chairs.
• Assist Committee Chairs with annual Action Plans, Event/Activity Proposals, Final Reports, and other required committee documentation.
• Monitor committee progress and report committee activities, accomplishments, challenges, and requests for Board action during Board meetings.
• Encourage member engagement by recruiting volunteers and supporting leadership development within assigned committees.
• Promote SDPA programs, conferences, networking events, and educational offerings.
• Support implementation of the Association's Strategic Plan and annual goals.
• Perform additional duties or special projects as assigned by the President or Board of Directors.

Committee Liaison Responsibilities

Each Member-at-Large is assigned one or more committees and serves as the primary communication link between those committees and the Board of Directors. Committee Liaison responsibilities include:

• Maintaining regular communication with Committee Chairs.
• Providing guidance and support to committee leadership.
• Reviewing committee meeting minutes and updates.
• Assisting committees with obtaining Board approvals when required.
• Reporting committee activities and recommendations to the Board.
• Helping recruit Committee Chairs and committee members.
• Supporting leadership transitions and succession planning.

See Board Committee Liaison Responsibilities for a complete description of liaison duties.

Term of Office

Members-at-Large serve two-year staggered terms as established by the SDPA Bylaws. Terms are designated as Odd-Year or Even-Year positions to maintain continuity of Board leadership. When a vacancy occurs before the end of a term, the Board appoints a replacement to complete the remainder of the unexpired term.