California Psychological Association

What it reported doing in 2024

Governance Program CPA has a Board of Directors that has nine (9) voting members (10 on alternate years when there is a Treasurer-elect). All members of the Board of Directors are elected by the full CPA membership, except for the Student Member Seat which is filled by the chair of our student organization.The Board establishes policy for the Association and, according to the CPA bylaws, has the responsibility for actively overseeing the work of the Association to ensure that the Association is adhering to state and federal laws relative to non-profit corporations, corporate ethics, and anti-trust requirements. The Board typically holds several in-person meetings per year and telephone or videoconference meetings monthly. This was modified during the pandemic, and all our meetings have been virtual. During an annual meeting at our convention each year CPA members receive an update on the activities of the association and the CEO and the Board members present are available to respond to questions from the membership regarding the activities of the Association. There are six standing committees of the Board, as well as other committees and task forces that are established as needed for the work of the organization. The Board oversees the work of all committees and task forces. The work of the committees encompasses overseeing the finances of the Association, providing ethical consultation to our members, developing educational opportunities such as continuing professional education, reviewing changes to any governing documents of the Association, developing strategies for membership recruitment and retention, and overseeing the organization of our annual convention that includes professional development and networking opportunities for psychologists in California. CPA also provides, through our various committees and task forces, information to the public about the importance of psychologically healthy behavior and lifestyles and offers services to California communities. An example is our Public Education Committee, whose members are available to speak to community and public organizations such as PTAs and the Rotary Club, and who also respond to inquiries from the Press about current events that have implications for psychological well-being of Californians. The CPA Disaster Resource Network provides relief services in the event of a natural disaster or significant events such as wildfires that affect California communities, and psychologists with special training are on call to respond as needed. CPA also participates as a member organization of the California Disaster Mental Health Coalition that includes other mental health professional organizations. Through the work of the Board we extend our activities and services to the members of our 20 chapters and our 8 specialty divisions. Our advocacy efforts benefit all psychologists in California, even those who are not members of our organization. This means that we provide services primarily to our approximately 3,000 members and secondarily to the additional 16,000 licensed psychologists in California.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 0%; rating input score 0
• Program expense ratio: 0%; rating input score 0
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 90%; rating input score 90; 5th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Limited
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 6 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -13.9%; rating input score 13; 13th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.41; rating input score 54; 54th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.6; rating input score 13; 13th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 26.6%; rating input score 9; 9th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: Limited
• Revenue growth: -1.7% per year; rating input score 0; 10th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -1.2% per year; rating input score 0; 14th percentile among comparable filings