Cal. HSC § 101695

The board, at its first meeting, and annually thereafter at the first meeting in January, shall elect a chair who shall preside at all meetings, and a vice chair who shall preside in his or her absence. In the event of their absence or inability to act, the members present, by an order entered in the minutes, shall select one of their members to act as chair pro tempore, who, while so acting, shall have all of the authority of the chair.