The Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments was organized in 1968 for the purpose of regional collaboration and problem solving. AMBAG, as it is often referred to, was formed by a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) governed by a twenty-four member Board of Directors comprised of elected officials from each City and County within the region. The AMBAG region includes Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz County. AMBAG serves as both a federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Council of Governments (COG). Membership and participation is voluntary.