Mutual respect and trust between leaders at a Community Action Agency (CAA) is essential to the stability of the organization. Without a strong relationship between a CAA board chair and executive director, difficulties can arise that have legal implications, such as not meeting fiduciary duties or making decisions without proper authority. Executive directors are responsible for day-to-day management of the CAA while the board of directors oversees the CAA’s governance and strategic objectives. A secure, collaborative relationship between the board chair and executive director ensures a CAA stays focused on its mission, maintains legal compliance, and completes its goals .

In this episode of CAPLAWCast, Dynamic Duos: A Culture of Respect, Executive Director Lori Schwartz and Board Chair Paul Krabbenhoft of Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership (CAPLP) in Minnesota, discuss key aspects of the executive director, board chair relationship, including the importance of clear and consistent communication, their shared philosophy for encouraging board engagement, and how they work together while sticking to their designated roles.

At first glance, a state CSBG office and state association might seem like an odd couple. State CSBG offices administer CSBG funding and oversee and monitor CAAs in the state. State associations support and advocate for those CAAs, and their boards of directors are typically executive directors from the same CAAs that the state CSBG office monitors. But just as opposites attract, state CSBG offices and state associations share common commitments and goals, and engage in overlapping roles that can form the foundations of positive, productive relationships.

In this episode of CAPLAWCast, Bridging Across Barriers: The Mother of States, Abby Hanks and Matt Fitzgerald of Virginia's Office of Economic Development, and Erik Johnston of the

At first glance, a state CSBG office and state association might seem like an odd couple. State CSBG offices administer CSBG funding and oversee and monitor CAAs in the state. State associations support and advocate for those CAAs, and their boards of directors are typically executive directors from the same CAAs that the state CSBG office monitors. But just as opposites attract, state CSBG offices and state associations share common commitments and goals, and engage in overlapping roles that can form the foundations of positive, productive relationships.

In this inaugural episode of CAPLAWCast, Bridging Across Barriers: The Wonder State, Beverly Buchanan of the Arkansas State CSBG Office, and Terry Bearden of the Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association (ACAAA), discuss key aspects of the state office, state association relationship, including how it has overcome challenges and evolved, and how elements such as respect, communication, and trust have bolstered collaborative efforts and assisted CAAs across the Wonder State.