The Columbia Association (CA) Board of Directors, CA President, and Executive Managers, with the assistance of the CA Board Process Improvement Task Force, adopted a set of guidelines for strengthening CA governance in 2006.

Focusing on the role, structure and processes of its Board of Directors, this CA governance enhancement strategy consists of practical steps aimed at transforming an already strong Board into an even higher-impact governing body. The centerpiece of this Governance Enhancement Strategy is a governance "architecture" consisting of five Board standing committees that are intended to serve as the Board's "governing engines," in this capacity doing the detailed governing work that will contribute to more productive and time-efficient full Board meetings.

The committee structure will help to keep Board members focused on the essentials of their governing role and will also serve to orient incoming Board members and to educate Columbia residents about the role and work of the Board. Beginning in January 2010, the CA Board will meet twice per month, on the second and fourth Thursdays; the Board Operations Committee will meet the first Monday of the month to create the agendas for both Board meetings; and the Planning and Strategy, Strategic Implementation; and External Relations Committees will meet once a month during one of the two Board meetings.

The Audit committee will continue to meet on an "as needed" basis.

Click on the links to the left for descriptions of each committee.