Department of Neighborhood Empowerment

DONE Newsletters 2009

January 28, 2009

In this climate of extraordinary fiscal challenge, it's more important than ever that the voices of people throughout our city are heard.  Please see BONC Commissioner Abrams letter encouraging NC Board members to participate in the Budget process. 

For more information or if you need assistance with the online survey, please contact your DONE Project Coordinator at (213) 485-1360.

LAPD Offers Trainings to Neighborhood Councils on Human Trafficking
The Los Angeles Police Department's LA Metropolitan Task Force on Human Trafficking is offering a short training at NC meetings on human trafficking in the Los Angeles area.  Human trafficking is modern day slavery.  Victims are held against their will and exploited.  The LA Metro Task Force is dedicated to eradicating this crime and educating the public regarding this egregious violation against human rights.  For more information or to schedule a presentation, please call Kimberly Agbonkpolor at (213) 485-2511.

NUSA Is Accepting Submissions for the 2009 Neighborhood of the Year Awards
Neighborhoods, USA (NUSA) is accepting submissions for its competition for the 2009 Neighborhood of the Year Award.  The 2009 Neighborhood of the Year Awards program will recognize exceptional accomplishments by neighborhood organizations during 2008.  Awards will be given in three categories - 1) Physical Revitalization/Beautification in a Single Neighborhood; 2) Social Revitalization/Neighborliness in a Single Neighborhood; and 3) Multi-Neighborhood Project Partnerships.  Judging will be based on the extent of innovation, grassroots participation and capacity building exhibited by the nominated organization.

This year marks the 25th year that NUSA will recognize the outstanding work of neighborhood organizations from all across the United States, particularly for their efforts to improve the quality of life in their communities. A distinguished panel of judges will select four finalists in each category.  Finalists will be invited to make presentations at the 2009 NUSA Conference to be held May 21- 23, 2009 in Spokane, Washington, where a new panel of judges will then select a winner in each category plus an overall grand prize winner.  Eligibility requirements and application guidelines can be downloaded from the NUSA website: www.nusa.org


BONC NEWS

Summary of the BONC's January 26, 2009 Special Meeting
At the January 26, 2009 Special Meeting, the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners reviewed the recent City Council decisions regarding financial disclosure and mandated ethics training.  For the full language, please see links for Council Files and Disclosure & Ethics Training.  Invited representatives from the City Ethics Commission, the City Clerk, and the City Attorney's Office discussed directives and ideas on possible administrative remedies to encourage 100 percent NC Board member compliance.  The BONC will monitor the progress and continue discussions on how best to provide citywide ethics and Brown Act training in multiple languages. 

The BONC's Next Regular Meeting Is Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The BONC's next regular meeting is on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at the Tom Bradley Youth and Family Center, located at 5213 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90019.  At this meeting, we will review and possibly adopt a revised Best Practices questionnaire and cover letter for NC's appearing before us.  We welcome your attendance.

To ensure that you receive an electronic copy of the BONC meeting agendas, you are encouraged to visit the City's website at  www.lacity.org and subscribe to the BONC agendas through the Early Notification System. 

BongHwan Kim, General Manager
done@lacity.org

Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
334-B E. 2nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

866 / LA HELPS
213 / 485-1360
213 / 485-4608 fax
done@mailbox.lacity.org email
www.lacityneighborhoods.com website