Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
Newsletter

May 13, 2003

Re: Neighborhood Council Training Sessions. Thanks for Understanding.

NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL TRAINING SESSIONS

There were some corrections and updates made to the previous newsletter that contained information about the training sessions. Remember that the Treasurer Training is required for the Treasurer and the other person who will be approving requests for funds from the City. The Brown Act training is so important for governing board members, and especially the officers of the board, that some people are talking about making it mandatory.

May:
Brown Act Training
Thursday, May 15, 2003
from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Van Nuys State Building
6150 Van Nuys Blvd.
Van Nuys, CA 91401

Treasurer Training
Saturday, May 17, 2003
from 10:00 am to noon
Constituent Services Center
8475 So. Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90044

June:
Treasurer Training
Monday, June 16, 2003
from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Van Nuys State Building
6150 Van Nuys Blvd.
Van Nuys, CA 91401

Brown Act Training
Saturday, June 21, 2003
from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: TBD

July:
Treasurer Training
Saturday, July 19, 2003
from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: TBD

THANKS FOR UNDERSTANDING

The city's hiring freeze has had an effect on our department and all others. We are at the low point now as far as vacancies are concerned. We have 15 vacancies. We're in the process right now of getting permission to fill the vacancies, almost all of which are civil service positions. The most critical of the vacancies is the Field Director spot - the one that was filled by Romerol Malveaux before she decided to retire. Still vacant are all of the positions that had been created to run the Neighborhood Council Funding Program. Add to that the restrictions placed on us by the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, and you can hopefully understand why we aren't able to attend as many meetings as we would like to, and why the quality of some of the work that we are doing isn't where we would like it to be.

We have 100 groups that have either been certified or are organizing to become certified. To make life easier for everyone, we're trying to develop as many 'best practices' examples as possible, ranging from bylaws to elections to 'how to get things done.' But each of these takes away from 'face time' with the Neighborhood Councils. Therefore, we need to make the very best use of our time, and attend the meetings at which we will make the greatest impact.

To ensure that we are providing Neighborhood Councils and those forming Neighborhood Councils with the training they need to be successful, we constantly want to hear from you regarding what you feel the City can do better to assist you.

Greg Nelson

213 / 485-1360
866 / LA HELPS toll-free
213 / 485-4608 fax
done@mailbox.lacity.org email