The Board of Directors is considered a “working committee or board” and is comprised of 8-15 CSLN members who have met the membership criteria and have been approved by the current Board.  The Board is organized with Offices of Chair or Co-Chairs, Treasurer and Secretary.  Additional sub-committee chair positions include Membership, Training, ILS, Quality Assurance, Governmental Affairs and Historian.

Board meetings are held 8 times per year balanced between Southern and Northern California locations and is usually a full day in length. Steering Committee Members are financially obligated to attend meetings locally and out of their area as well as the annual Leadership Conference in San Diego and annual Steering Committee Retreat.  The cost of transportation and accommodations for Steering Committee meetings are the responsibility of the member. Steering Committee Members review and approve contracts with consultants as well as the annual budget.

CSLN Members wishing to join the Board should express interest in writing to the Chair.  Adequate geographical representation will be considered during application review. Board members are required to attend at least 75% of meetings yearly.  Participation on at least one subcommittee is required, in addition to the Conference Committee. Follow through on assigned action items is a requirement of continued membership on the Board.

Board offices are 2 years in term and may not be held for more than 2 consecutive terms.  CSLN members wishing to serve on the Board of Directors must serve on a sub-committee for at least one year before becoming a Board officer.

Officers:

• Donna Bettencourt, President and Governmental Affairs Committee
  Director of Supported Living Services, Inalliance, Inc.
• Joan Schmidt, Vice President and Governmental Affairs Committee
  Director, Creative Living Options, Inc.
• Sadie Hess, Secretary and Governmental Affairs, Training Committee
  Co-Founder/SLS Director, COMPASS, LLC.
• Joe Donofrio, Treasurer and Training Committee
  Co-Founder, CHOICESS

Board Members:

• Melanie Bazile, Conference Committee Chair and Training Committee
  Executive Director, STEP, Inc.
• Nancy Bunker, Historian and Governmental Affairs Committee
  Executive Director, Independent Community Resources, Inc.
• Rebecca Burkhardt, Membership & Development Committee Co-Chair and Training Committee
  Director of Supported Living, Jay Nolan Community Services
• Deborah Callahan, Training Committee Co-Chair
  Director, Networx Supported Living Services
• Jacquie Dillard-Foss, Governmental Affairs Co-Chair
  CEO, STEP, Inc.
• Beth Gallagher, Training Committee Co-Chair
  Executive Director, Life Works
• Jennifer Lengyel, Membership & Development Committee Co-Chair and Training Committee
  Director of Community Living Services, Jay NolanCommunity Services, Northern CA
• Carol McKinney, Governmental Affairs Co-Chair
  Co-Founder/Executive Director, Harmony Home, Associated
• Jason E. Romero, Governmental Affairs Committee
  MBA, President & CEO of PCS, People Creating Success

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