Congress 2008: A Service and Clout Party An Insider View
By Albert Abrams
The Congress of Neighborhoods on October 11th was a special gathering of several hundred souls at City Hall in this City of Angels to celebrate their expanding influence and recognize the importance of their personal service to their community.
Over 500 Neighborhood Council Board members packed the City Council Chambers to hear Mayor Villaraigosa relay the reality of the City’s forthcoming budget so they can most effectively focus on the future and properly prepare their priorities.
After his speech, the Mayor then kicked off the Congress which was an inspiring day of sharing and caring by extraordinary citizens. NC Board Members stood shoulder to shoulder to applaud the heroic efforts of their fellow NC members in Chatsworth and Porter Ranch who helped rescue and recover those injured and lost in the Metrolink 111 train disaster. Then, in a multitude of in-depth breakout sessions, experienced NC pros, like Lisa Cerda from Tarzana, shared their successful, best practices in marketing and branding with other NC Board members from across the City. Jill Banks Barad, head of the Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils and Len Shaffer, TNC and LANCC President, provided their expertise on the topic of forming "Neighborhood Council Alliances".
Board members attended fact-filled presentations from experts, like Linda Abrams and Sherry Revord, on how to work closely with non-profits, like the Valley Interfaith Council, to identify those in critical need in their neighborhoods, such as seniors and the hungry. Most importantly, NC Board Members were taught how to effectively respond by alerting non-profit organizations in their area that have the specific expertise and ability to provide services that are available to help.
NC Board Members and stakeholders also found time to attend two standing-room-only Commissioners’ Town Hall Meetings to make their voices heard and offer specific proposals on the critical issues of mandatory ethics training, financial disclosure and conflicts of interest, such as the recommendations by Ken Draper and Greg Nelson for ‘ex parte’ revelations by each NC Board member and Commissioner at the start of their official meetings.
Through generous grants by several NCs, such as the Porter Ranch NC and others, the workshops were video taped to air on the City’s TV network and to be archived for new NC Board members and the public to view online.
Most importantly, the Congress of Neighborhoods was a day of awareness of new political clout, new friendships and celebration. Neighborhood Council members took away renewed inspiration, energy and enthusiasm to focus their talents, experience and time on behalf of their City. For those who attended and participated in the Congress of Neighborhoods, it was a singular honor and privilege to be among so many citizens and community leaders who have recognized the importance and personal value to themselves of providing selfless service to others.
(Albert Abrams is a Commissioner with the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners for the City of Los Angeles, as well as a Board Member of the Tarzana Neighborhood Council and Chair of its Government Action Committee.) ◘
CityWatch
Vol 6 Issue 83
Pub: Oct 14, 2008
