D R A F T
The Arc of California
New Board Member Orientation Packet
Welcome to the Board of Directors of The Arc of California. We are delighted to have you join us! This packet of materials is designed to acquaint you with the work of The Arc of California and the various functions of the Board. You will find information about the chapters of The Arc of California, the issues we tackle, our meeting schedule, by-laws, and strategic plan. There are many ways you can get involved in our work, and your participation will be valued and welcomed. You will help shape the work of the largest association of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, service providers, and advocates that exists in California. We are glad you’re on board, and look forward to working with you.
March 2014
Who We Are
The Arc of California is an advocacy association of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, providers, and volunteers. It was started in 1950 by parents working to support one another and to advocate for development of a community-based system of services for their sons and daughters. Today the Arc of California is involved with virtually every public policy issues that impacts people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Work is carried out by 21 local chapters throughout the State of California, and by advocates who participate to shape meaningful public policy and to create support systems that benefit people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Arc of California
1225 – 8th Street, Suite 350
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-552-6619 (phone) 916-441-3494 (fax)
www.thearcca.org
Join The Arc UCP Action e-List at www.thearcca.org.
Staff
Tony Anderson, Executive Director
Greg deGiere, Director of Public Policy
Tim Hornbecker, Director of Advocacy and Community Organizing
Teresa Anderson, Prevention Coordinator
Gwen Lopez, Executive Assistant
Carlos Palacios, Director of Membership and Self-Advocacy Support
Purpose
The Arc of California, in partnership with people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and the families of people with these disabilities (hereinafter referred to as constituents or The Arc of California’s constituency), members, its affiliated chapters and associated organizations shall work to ensure that The Arc of California’s constituency has the supports and services they need, are accepted in their communities, and have maximum control of their own lives.
The Arc of California exists for the following principal purposes:
· To advocate for the rights of The Arc of California's constituency.
· To improve the quality of life of constituents and the lives of their families.
· To achieve a large, active and diverse membership at all levels of this Association.
· To achieve an understanding by the public and public officials of the strengths, contributions and needs of The Arc of California's constituency as well as the organizations that provide advocacy and services.
· To promote and encourage research on the causes and prevention of mental retardation and other related developmental disabilities and on effective practices in fields related to supports and services for The Arc of California's constituency.
· To promote and encourage best practices in the field of services and supports to The Arc of California's constituency.
· To solicit and receive funds for the accomplishment of these purposes.
· To promote and support the professionals and others who serve The Arc of California's constituency and uphold the core values of this Association.
Major Initiatives of The Arc of California
Prevention:
· Task Force on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
· Focus on water safety and trauma prevention
Workforce Development:
· Establishment of the California Alliance of Direct Support Professional and sponsorship of annual training for DSPs
Education:
· Participation on Early Start Interagency Coordinating Council
· Attend meetings of Special Education Parent Network
· Sponsor IPP and IFSP trainings
Health Advocacy:
· Meet with directors of regional centers and county mental health programs
· Advocate for improved health outcomes for our constituency, including those in developmental centers
Work:
· Co-sponsor of Employment First bill
· Serve on State Council Employment First Committee
Crime/Abuse:
· Follow-up on cases of abuse and neglect, especially at developmental centers
Collaboration & Coalitions:
· Ongoing collaborative agreement with United Cerebral Palsy organizations
· Member of Lanterman Coalition
· Participant on many other coalitions with shared interests
Community Organizing
Local Chapters
Chapter / Executive Director / Arc California Board RepresentativeThe Arc of Alameda County
14700 Doolittle Drive
San Leandro, CA 94577
510-357-3726 / Ron Luter
Chief Executive Officer
www.arcalameda.org / Dick Fitzmaurice, President
Betty Clark, Board Representative
The Arc of Amador & Calaveras
75 Academy Drive
Sutter Creek, CA 95685
209-267-5978 / Shawnna Molina
Executive Director
www.arcofamador.org / Robert Enyeart
The Arc of Butte County
P.O. Box 3697
Chico, CA 95927
530-891-5865 / Michael McGinnis
Executive Director
CCE President
www.arcbutte.org / Elaine Pegg
The Arc of Bakersfield (BARC)
2240 S. Union Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93307
661-834-2272 / Jim Baldwin
Executive Director
www.barc-inc.org / Vacant
The Arc of Contra Costa
1340 Arnold Drive, Suite 127
Martinez, CA 94553
925-370-1818 / Barbara Maizie,
Executive Director
www.contracostaarc.com / Stephen Dale
DART
201 E. Ridgecrest Blvd.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
760-375-9787 / Virginia Deangelois
Executive Director
www.dartontarget.org / Vacant
The Arc of Fresno and Madera Counties
4567 N. Marty Avenue
Fresno, CA 93722
559-226-6268 / Lori Ramirez
Executive Director
www.arcfresno.org / Vacant
Placer ARC
522 Vernon Street
Roseville, CA 95678
916-781-3016 / Elizabeth Marchant
Executive Director
www.placerarc.org / Elizabeth Katz, Secretary
The Arc of Imperial Valley
P.O. Box 1828
El Centro, CA 92244
760-352-0180 / Art Santos
Executive Director
www.arciv.org / Peter Bowers
The Arc of Riverside
8138 Mar Vista Court
Riverside, CA 92504
951-688-5141 / Jim Stream
Executive Director
www.arcriverside.org / Margie Lumbley
The Arc San Diego
3030 Market Street
San Diego, CA 92102 / David Schneider
Chief Executive Officer
www.arc-sd.org / Dwight Stratton, Past President
The Arc of San Bernardino
796 E. Sixth Street
San Bernardino, CA 92410
909-884-6484 / Kristina Oxnevad
Executive Director / Vacant
Alpha Resource Center
4501 Cathedral Oaks Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
805-683-2145 / Kim Olsen
Executive Director
www.alphasb.org / Bruce MacKenzie, Treasurer
The Arc of Solano
3272 Sonoma Blvd., #4
Vallejo, CA 94590
707-552-2935 / Mike Huckins
Executive Director
www.thearcsolano.org / John Kelly
The Arc of South Bay
1735 West Rosecrans Ave.
Gardena, CA 90249
310-532-6333 / Richard Pierce
Executive Director
www.arcsobay.org / James Coleman
The Arc of Los Angeles and Orange Counties
12049 Woodruff Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
562-803-4606 / Kevin MacDonald
Executive Director
www.arcselac.org / Pat Heineke
The Arc of Taft
204 Van Buren Street
Taft, CA 93268
661-763-1532 / Mary Ann Hagstrom
Executive Director / Vacant
The Arc of Ventura County
5103 Walker Street
Ventura, CA 93003
805-650-8611 / Patricia Schulz
Chief Executive Officer
www.arvc.org / Sandy Waterbury, Vice President
The Arc San Joaquin
807 North San Joaquin Street, #101
Stockton, CA 95202
209-955-1625 / Connie Uychutin
Executive Director
www.arc-sj.org.org / Teresa Brown
The Arc of San Francisco and Marin Counties
1500 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-255-7200 / Glenn Motola
Executive Director
www.thearcsf.org / Pat Napoliello
Family Resource Centers Network of California / Patty Moore
People First of California / Vacant
Committees
Public Policy Committee: Peter Bowers, Chair
Membership: Sandy Waterbury and Pat Napoliello, Co-Chairs
Business Development: Dwight Stratton and Dick Fitzmaurice, Co-Chairs
By-Laws: Dwight Stratton, Chair
Public Policy Conference: Sandy Waterbury, Chair
Direct Support Professional Training: Betsy Katz, Chair
California Council of Executives: Michael McGinnis, Chair
California Council of Executives
The California Council of Executives (CCE) is comprised of the Executive Directors of local chapters of The Arc of California. They provide collegial support and professional development to one another as well as serving in an advisory capacity to the Board of Directors of The Arc of California, especially with regard to how Board decisions impact providers. Meetings are coordinated with those of the Board of Directors.
2013-2015 Meeting Schedule
The Board meets three times a year, twice in Sacramento (during the state budget process) and once at a location in Southern California. Our annual Public Policy Conference is held in Sacramento in March and the first Board meeting of the year is held the day before that conference. The Public Policy Conference ends with many of us making visits to our legislators delivering key messages that we learned during the conference. You may be asked to join in a visit to your local legislators’ offices.
June 20-21, 2014: Sacramento
October 24-25, 2014: Alpha Resource Center, Santa Barbara
March 1-2, 2015: Board of Directors and Public Policy Conference, Sacramento
The Arc of California
Work Plan: 2013 through June of 2015
In the past, The Arc of California has focused on two entities: Consumers/Families and Arc Chapters. Because of the financial condition of the organization, we are adding a third entity: The Arc of California itself.
The phrase, “Nothing about us; without us,” captures the vision of the organization. The Arc of California strives to influence every issue that impacts people with I/DD and the families who love them. It is a noble goal - one that continues to guide this organization.
Looking at the future, we ask the question: “How is the Board of Directors going to direct the organization so that it actually does have a thoughtful and positive impact on all the issues?”
The answer is; “People.” The Arc of California must hire top quality people in sufficient number to tackle the complex issues that confront our constituents.
We recognize that hiring people requires more than money – a solid reputation and well-considered hiring criteria come to mind – but the first step in the hiring process is offering competitive salaries. Our goal is to pay our employees salaries that are at or near industry norms. We will offer other benefits as well, including a pension plan and health insurance.
Doing that requires additional revenue, which is why we have added The Arc of California as a constituent.
Here is our internal vision of what will happen:
Tony is often late for his 20-person staff meeting because his weekly meeting with the Governor, key legislators and the DDS Director went overtime.
Developing additional revenue takes time and means many activities in which we are currently engaged must be put “on hold” – or at least be de-emphasized - temporarily. Two-and-a-half people cannot do it all.
We also believe that chapters may wish to supplement their cash dues by offering in-kind services to The Arc of California. For example, a chapter might offer the services of its grant writer to prepare a grant application on behalf of the state office. More work needs to be done but it is a concept worth exploring.
The draft work plan that follows outlines focus areas for the next two years. It also contains a list of issues and activities that will be de-emphasized. Also included are recommendations offering guidance (and permission) to staff on methods of reducing time commitments involved in managing the various issues.
The Arc California Currently Works on Behalf of Two Constituent Groups:
Consumers/Families Chapters
On issues/projects that include:
IPP/Lanterman Act Rates
Employment Workforce Development
Crime/Abuse DC Closure
Communication Communication
Special Education Early Start
Prevention
Health
Mental Health
By using tools such as:
Issue/Legislative Analysis
Legislative Advocacy
Building/Supporting Coalitions
Influencing the Political Landscape
Information Sharing (MMM, Public Policy Conference, Social Media)
Legal Action
Grant Writing
Believing you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others, we will add a third constituent group to the other two: The Arc of California itself.
Constituent: The Arc of California
By June 30 of 2015, The Arc of California will generate $60,000 in additional revenue above the amount collected from Chapters in 2013. Further, by June of 2015:
· The pension debt of approximately $20,000 will be paid
· The organization’s credit card expenses will be current ($15,000)
· The organization will have a reserve account of $25,000 to use as a line of credit for payroll purposes
· The Finance Committee will review the organization’s financial outlook with an eye to increasing staff compensation, reestablishing a pension/401(k) plan, and adding staff members
The Business Development Committee, headed by the immediate past president, will investigate and make recommendations to the Executive Committee and the Board as a whole on revenue-generating strategies. The committee will consider:
· Selling advertising in the Monday Morning Memo ($12,000)
· A low-cost MMM membership allowing access to a Members’ Forum ($12,000)
· Establishing a Corporate Colleagues Program ($10,000)
· Expanding the Public Policy Conference in conjunction with the Public Policy Committee
· Generate fees for assisting other organizations to produce their conferences so they can pay rent, e.g. People First, Alliance for DSPs ($5,000)
· Establishing a new affiliate membership category to include related organizations that might benefit from our advocacy activities ($5000)
· The potential of The Arc CA becoming the manager of a pooled trust (no estimate; long term project)
· Increasing Chapter dues (in conjunction with CCE) ($25,200)
· Increasing the number of chapters. (3 chapters x $600/mo = $21,600)
The Business Development Committee is free to investigate other revenue-generating activities as well.
Constituent: Consumers/Families
The Arc of California will work:
· To preserve and enhance the Lanterman Act, its Entitlement, and the IPP process (continue participating on the Lanterman Coalition)
· On mental health issues as related to the DC closure project
· On enhancing Supported Employment programs (continue service on State Council’s Employment First Committee)
· On selected crime and abuse issues
· On key legislative issues that arise during the legislative session
Constituent: Chapters
The Arc of California will work to:
· Increase reimbursement rates (the new minimum wage law offers an opportunity)
· Ensure the lawsuit is seen to its conclusion