Congress Workshop Session Planning

Congress of Neighborhoods 2011
Program Session Topics
July 6, 2011

The neighborhood council's own Congress of Neighborhoods will have multiple sessions. There will be two session periods in the morning and one session period in the afternoon. Two or three program options will be offered during each period. Each person can select three sessions to meet their own needs and interests.

There will be two types of program topics. One will be a "101" type of basic information directed at new neighborhood council board members and general-interest stakeholders. The other will be an in-depth set of topics directed at experienced board members or stakeholders with special interests. One session of each type will be offered in each of the three periods. This is the list of planned session topics.

On July 2, the program committee removed the session:
Council Files and Community Impact Statements (how-to information)
The Council File material was moved to the session on
"Working with City Council Committees", and
the Community Impact Statement 'how-to' was moved to
"Who and What Do You Need to Know to Get Things Done"
(where 'and What' was added to the session name)

Two sessions were added (marked NEW). One is on working with volunteers and one is on NC collaborations.


"101" Basic Subjects

How Neighborhood Councils Work (Basics, for New Board Members)
Who and What Do You Need to Know To Get Things Done? (RENAMED)
Funding Program Basics for Everyone (how spending works)
Planning 101 (what Land Use committees do; planning packets)
How to Run a Meeting (procedures, fairness, order, time control)
Effective Outreach and Community-Building Techniques
Ethics and Open Government (State-required training) session 1 of 2
Ethics and Open Government (State-required training) session 2 of 2
Meet Your City Officials (brief remarks and a mixer)
NC Collaborations (Alliances and Peer Mentoring programs) (NEW)

Advanced and Specialized Subjects

Perspectives: The Role of Neighborhood Councils (panel discussion)
Creating Community Partnerships (both financial and joint-action)
Emergency Preparedness (CERT, Homeland Security, ham radio, etc.)
Animal Issues, Organizations and Programs (different perspectives)
Online Resources for Neighborhood Councils (healthycity, zimas, etc.)
Working with City Departments (which does what, resources, staff)
Working with City Council Committees (subjects, council files, contacts)
Green Technologies, Sustainable Living, and Community Gardens
Dealing with Difficult People and Board Conflicts (practical suggestions)
Recruitment, Training and Management of Volunteers (NEW)


Tentative 2011 Congress of Neighborhoods Schedule
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Los Angeles City Hall
200 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Parking by prior reservation and arrangement

07:45 [45m] Mixer and continental breakfast
08:30 [45m] NC Roll Call and Welcome
09:15 [10m] (break)
09:25 [75m] Session 1
10:40 [10m] (break)
10:50 [75m] Session 2
12:05 [65m] Lunch and Networking (lunch provided)
01:10 [75m] Session 3
02:25 [10m] (break)
02:35 [55m] Congress of Neighborhoods (action session)
03:30 [30m] Networking
04:00 Congress Ends