General Manager's Update 

  

I hope this newsletter finds you well. Greetings from Neighborhoods USA's annual conference in Minneapolis! I flew out on the red eye Wednesday night and arrived just as the conference started at 9 am on Thursday. Keynote speaker, John McKnight of the Community Development Institute of Northwestern University, noted that there is a growing gap between government and the people to whom they are providing services. He validated that Neighborhood Councils and Associations are critical to filling this gap.

 

Over 600 people from 33 states and 4 countries are in attendance. I've been very inspired by the keynote speakers and educators.

Our own Stephen, Enci and Sydney Box are also here as workshop presenters, too, instructing on the Lifestyles of the Well Connected. (view the deck on Slideshare here)

  

It's great to see so many like minded people from all over sharing successful stories of advocacy. Next year's NUSA Conference is in Eugene, OR, and I hope that other Neighborhood Council leaders will be able to go and share their successes.

 

I'm happy to report that City Council approved the budget yesterday. Next before City Council is the draft checking account ordinance (Council file 11-1020-S1), which they will review on Wednesday, May 29th. Thanks for all the feedback on the proposed policy and procedures!

 

I'll be flying back Friday afternoon to make the final Plan Review Committee meeting (more below). I hope to see you there!

 

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

  

  

Best,

 

 

Grayce Liu,

General Manager

Department of Neighborhood Empowerment  

 

Empower Yourself.

Empower Your Community.

Empower LA.

    

Neighborhoods, USA is a national non-profit organization committed to building and strengthening neighborhood organizations. Created in 1975 to share information and experiences toward building stronger communities, NUSA now continues to encourage networking and information sharing to facilitate the development of partnerships between neighborhood organizations, government and the private sector. This year's Neighborhoods, USA Conference is underway in Minneapolis, Minnesota with over 600 participants representing 33 states plus Japan, Kenya, South Africa, and Argentina. The City of Los Angeles is represented this year, along with other Southern California communities such as Long Beach, Pasadena, Monrovia, Carlsbad, and Riverside....

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The three keynote speakers for the 2013 Neighborhoods, USA conference had a tough challenge, delivering a message that would resonate for the crowd of 600+ attendees, each one representing a community that has its own unique personality, character, and challenges. John McKnight rose to the occasion by pointing at the gap between the services that municipal authorities provide and the services that healthy communities demand. That gap is the space that community organizations must fill and that gap is the common ground that all community organizations share, regardless of their local and specific circumstances...

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A Neighborhood Council boardmember asked "Where does a Neighborhood Council start when it comes to Outreach?" As in all things, start at the beginning by asking two questions; Where are you? Where do you want to go?...

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After months of review, Board of Neighborhood Commissioners adopts new policies to give NCs more flexibility with stakeholder requirements. More reviews ahead! The Board of Neighborhood Commissioners passed two motions this week that provide Neighborhood Councils with additional flexibility regarding stakeholder requirements...

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Our field division has been extremely busy assisting the Funding Unit with the processing of demand warrants and such. We are all working diligently to pay any outstanding bills from this fiscal year with this fiscal year's monies. If staff contacts you regarding a funding matter, please get in touch with us right away. We are also wrapping up our training sessions and the last Board Development Series will take place on June 29th in the Harbor area, location and link to RSVP will be forthcoming...

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Discounted Printing Services, Copiers and Office Furniture for Neighborhood Councils!

As the fiscal year ends and a new one begins, it is a great opportunity to share with all of you what other City Departments can do for your Neighborhood Council. The Department of General Services (GSD) offers valuable services for the Neighborhood Councils: publishing services, copier lease and removal of non-operational and unwanted items. GSD's Publishing Services provides complete printing, duplicating and bindery services. Publishing Services also provides printed products such as business cards, stationery and more. For additional information, please go to their website:...

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