The Board of Directors met for the last quarterly meeting of 2015 on December 1 at this year’s Conference site - the Hyatt Regency and Convention Center in Santa Clara. As the final meeting before the Conference, much of the day was spent touring the beautiful and spacious facilities and finalizing plans to ensure our members have an exceptional conference experience. In addition to the Conference, the Board touched on numerous other topics and reviewed reports from Chairs, Liaisons, and Committees. Please see below for highlights.

• Conference Updates - Conference Chair Sarah Trautman-Eslinger reviewed the roll-out of the new CVENT Registration and Membership portal, which will make planning future conferences much smoother. In addition, CVENT will allow much easier tracking of CEUs (no more paper!). Last year’s After Party was a huge success, and we’ll be looking to continue the fun this year. Stay tuned for details! This year’s Luncheon will be held in a huge room, so all who want to join the fun this year should be able to do so. Finally, rooms are already sold out for the Conference hotel, so attendees will want to be sure to book nearby rooms ASAP.

• Public Policy Updates - Public Policy Chair Bryan Davey updated the Board on the current status of California’s Behavior Analyst Licensure Bill. As January begins the new legislative session, we will be working with a new author and directly with the Governor's office to address the remaining technical issues, including the management of paraprofessionals. Most importantly, we want to hear directly from our members regarding any questions and concerns so we may present a unified front throughout the legislative process, for the betterment of our field and the protection of California consumers. To discuss licensure, please reach out directly to Bryan Davey or Matt McAlear. 

• Professional Standards Updates - Linda LeBlanc, the Professional Standards Chair, reviewed the upcoming CE opportunities, including Invited Workshops and Tutorials, being offered at the Conference. In total, over 55 different CE events were approved, offering CEUs for boards including the BACB, SLPAB, BBS, and CPA. 

• Liaison Updates - Souther California (Ellie Kazemi and Jennifer Harris) and Northern California (Megan Heinicke and and Becky Penrod) Liaisons provided the Board with updates on upcoming events and member services. Invitations are being sent to California professors and researchers to participate in the upcoming 2016 Science Retreat. Topics for this year’s Science Retreat will include issues for higher education in California, and means for increasing collaboration between the science and practitioner arms of our membership. In addition, the Liaisons are preparing a Member Survey - please be on the lookout for the Survey, and prepare to give honest feedback to help the Board more effectively address member needs. Finally, we are in need of a new Student Representative this year. Professors are asked to please consider nominating those exceptional students who’d like to get involved - Contact your Liaisons to pass along your nominations. 

To truly see Your Board in Action, we invite all members to join us at our Open Board Meeting on Thursday, February 25, from 8-9 pm in the Bayshore Room of the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara.