CFO

This committee consists of the CBA members' financial officers (or those with financial responsibilities) and is formed to assist one another as regards financial reporting legislation and technical pronouncements, and any other financial topics that might impact the CBA members. Where appropriate, this includes, but is not limited to possibilities of collaboration, best practice sharing, benchmarking, etc.

For Members: https://cba.memberclicks.net/cfo

Client Services

This topical interest committee was formed to leverage our combined experience and knowledge related customer service practices. This would include but is not limited to the following: technology, training/quality programs & practices, and employee engagement practices all to better support the mission of our organizations. This will be accomplished by:

• Sharing ideas, programs and practices in each of our organizations
• Discussing and evaluating customer service trends
• Evaluating customer service innovations that could add value for our organizations objectives
  Conducting periodic meetings as a forum for discussions and touring our organizations service centers
• Sharing customer service best practice learnings from training/seminars/conventions attended and/or invite guest experts on service topics related to new and emerging areas for customer service
• Collaborating on new programs/initiatives related to customer service in our organizations.
• Sharing common challenges and brainstorming possible solutions

For Members: https://cba.memberclicks.net/client-services

Communications, Marketing & Education

Unlock the Power of Community with CMEG

Navigating the specialized world of health and retirement benefits communication within denominational organizations can feel daunting. The Communications, Marketing, and Education Group (CMEG) in the Church Benefits Association is your resource for support, understanding, and collective wisdom.

A Unique Community of Peers

CMEG is a network of experienced marketing and communications leaders attuned to the unique challenges you face. We share your journey, understand the complexities of denominational benefits, and grasp the details that might elude others.

Open Sharing, True Growth

What distinguishes CMEG is our culture of openness and generosity. Members freely exchange insights, strategies, and resources. Picture yourself accessing a wealth of best practices and innovative ideas shared by colleagues who truly understand your context.

Collaboration for Innovation

Our gatherings, whether monthly meetings or the annual conference, are catalysts for breakthroughs and collective advancement. This is where ideas flow, challenges are addressed collaboratively, and every member gains the confidence to overcome their biggest hurdles.

Support and Inspiration

Joining CMEG is a step into a world where you're never isolated. It's about feeling recognized and supported within a community that cares deeply. Every interaction is a chance to grow, be inspired, and contribute to a shared pool of knowledge that uplifts all.

Take Your First Step Today

Step into a realm of collaborative growth and professional development with CMEG. Sign up, connect, and become an integral part of a community committed to setting the standard in church benefits communication and marketing. We're excited to welcome you!

What Awaits You in CMEG:

• Monthly Zoom Meetings: Engage in real time discussions, share insights, and connect with fellow members. CMEG hosts one 60-minute meeting and two 30-minute hot topic discussions per quarter.
• Basecamp Community: A continuous platform for communication, collaboration, and resource sharing.
• A Supportive Network: Tap into a community that understands your challenges and is ready to offer support and guidance.

For Members: https://cba.memberclicks.net/comm-marketing-and-education

COO

The Operations Committee of the CBA was formed to leverage our operations experience and knowledge to better support the missions of our organizations.  

We do this by:

• Sharing ideas and information pertaining to initiatives in each of our organizations
• Conducting periodic meetings as a forum for our discussions
• Providing opportunities for networking among ourselves and others within our respective organizations

For Members: https://cba.memberclicks.net/coo

• Funding arrangement discussion
• Plan design discussion
• Plan experiences, trends, and outcomes
• Vendor experience sharing
• Integration opportunities with other vendors
• Market research results
• Communication initiatives

• Quarterly Zoom Meetings: We encourage the engagement of all members to share insights and have open dialogue about challenges or accomplishments within their respective organization in one 60-minute meeting a quarter.
• Supportive Network: Benefit from the expertise and insights of a group that is familiar with the complexities of administering these benefits within a denominational setting.

For members: https://cba.memberclicks.net/disability--life

Financial Literacy & Wellness 

The Financial Literacy & Wellness Topical Interest group includes financial educators and planners with a passion to help our respective plan members increase their financial knowledge and create sustained financial wellbeing.  This group gathers together at the CBA annual meeting and one other time mid-year to share resources and find potential areas for collaboration and partnership. This group hopes to share its collaborative projects and resources with the broader CBA group.

For Members: https://cba.memberclicks.net/financial-literacy-wellness

Health Benefits

The Healthcare Committee of the CBA provides a forum for CBA members that sponsor health benefit plans to discuss the issues and challenges of managing a modern health benefits plan. The committee has existed for over 20 years and for most of that time activities have consisted of holding semi-annual discussion meetings. In 2001 we formed purchasing coalitions to negotiate two pharmacy benefits contracts on behalf of CBA member organizations. Currently, more than 20 plans are purchasing prescription drugs through what is now the merged Express Scripts or Medco Health entity and enjoy more favorable pricing than any single plan could have achieved on its own. In 2002 we also formed a coalition to purchase PPO administrative services from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. We have also developed coalitions for purchasing both Mental Health services and Disability Administrative services.

Currently, we continue to closely monitor federal Healthcare Reform regulatory activity, determine the impact on church plans and, working with Core Lawyers Working Group (CLWG), identify and advocate changes to regulations and/or legislation beneficial to CBA Healthcare plans and the individuals to whom they provide coverage.

For Members: https://cba.memberclicks.net/health-benefits

Human Resources

This committee was formed to leverage our human resources experience and knowledge to better support the missions of our organizations. 

We do this by:

• Sharing ideas and information pertaining to initiatives in each of our organizations as well as common challenges and brainstorming possible solutions
• Sharing processes and solutions related to employment practices compliance and regulatory challenges
• Discussing and evaluating human resource best practices, trends and innovations that could add value for our organizations' objectives
• Soliciting outside expertise to further augment our knowledge in new and emerging practices relevant to human resources
• Conducting periodic meetings as a forum for our discussions
• Providing opportunities for networking among ourselves and others within our respective organizations

If you are interested in joining this committee your primary role should be the senior most human resource professional employed by the CBA member organization.

For Members: https://cba.memberclicks.net/human-resources

Information Technology

This committee was formed to leverage our technology experience and knowledge to better support the missions of our organizations. 

We do this by:

• Sharing ideas and information pertaining to initiatives in each of our organizations
• Discussing and evaluating technological trends and innovations that could add value for our organizations' objectives
• Soliciting outside expertise to further augment our knowledge in new and emerging technologies relevant to our operations
• Conducting periodic meetings as a forum for our discussions
• Providing an Internet website forum where our discussions and information can be shared
• Providing opportunities for networking among ourselves and others within our respective organizations

For Members: https://cba.memberclicks.net/information-technology

Internal Oversight Group (Risk, Internal Audit and Compliance)

All organizations within the CBA face risks and strive to identify and address those risks by implementing effective internal controls. This Topical Interest Committee (TIC) has a primary focus on enhancing and protecting organizational value by providing risk-based assurance, advice, and insight. The purpose of the Committee is to leverage experience and knowledge from a diverse group of retirement fund staff members to better serve each Organization's mission. The Committee will utilize time together to help our organizations evaluate and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes. The Committee will provide an opportunity to learn, network and share ideas and experiences. An online forum was established for this group to meet quarterly that is primarily comprised of Internal Auditors. We are aware that none of our organizational structures look the same. The scope and depth of our roles and responsibilities are also different in each of our organizations as some of these functions are performed within various areas of an organization such as financial services/treasury, compliance, ERM, rather than within an internal audit department. All are welcome at our table for collaboration and sharing. Below are specific areas where this committee would provide value:

• Risk Management
• Internal Controls
• Governance Process
• Enterprise Risk Management
• Compliance
• Review / Testing Methodologies
• Vendor Experience Sharing
• Documentation Template Sharing
• Industry Trends
• Best Practices
• Regulatory Updates 

For members: https://cba.memberclicks.net/internal-oversight

Investments

This committee meets annually at the Church Benefits Association meeting to discuss various issues of interest to those involved in managing, administering, and providing fiduciary oversight of investment programs that support religious retirement plans. Those participating in the group discuss various topics of mutual interest that includes asset/liability management, new asset classes, socially responsible investing practices, investment manager selection, alternative investments, best practices for fiduciaries, participant fund options, and various other investment related topics. Participant’s network and learn from each other based on our respective organizations’ challenges, opportunities, and initiatives.

For Members: https://cba.memberclicks.net/investments

Legal

The Legal Committee of the CBA provides a forum for in-house lawyers and compliance professionals employed by, and outside counsel retained by, CBA members to discuss the legal and compliance issues and regulatory challenges facing church plans. The committee has existed for over 15 years and focuses on continuing legal education and information sharing among peers.  

For Members: https://cba.memberclicks.net/legal

Retirement Benefits

This committee provides a forum for CBA members to discuss the challenges of managing a modern retirement plan for clergy and other church employees. Committee sessions focus on issues of plan design, funding, member services and compliance for defined benefit and defined contribution plans.

For Members: https://cba.memberclicks.net/retirement-benefits