Returning Attendee

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Pre-Conference Workshop #1: Tips for Managing the Records Retention Lifecycle*optional/additional fee

Christine Wood and Jennifer Ransom, Best Best & Krieger, LLP

There are specific events that can trigger a record’s movement to the next phase of the records lifecycle and help to define retention needs and requirements. Examples of these events can include, but are not limited to, expiration of a contract, termination of employment, completion of an audit, and settlement of a legal matter. These events help in determining the value the record continues to bring to the agency, and when to consider the matter “closed” for retention purposes as the value diminishes. Join us to learn about these triggers and how to handle them when they arise.

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Pre-Conference Workshop #2: How to Get Started with a DEIB Program *optional/additional fee

Jacques Whitfield, CPS HR Consulting

This course will provide a comprehensive approach to identifying key components of a well-versed and robust diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) program. Participants will learn how to develop and implement a sustainable program to support diversity, promote a positive culture of inclusion, raise awareness, and diversify collaboration in their workforce.

• Understand the benefits of a DEIB program
• Learn how to generate buy-in and approval
• Create a committee
• Determine possible training and coaching connected to DEIB
• Outline events and timelines
• Create a rough draft of a DEIB program plan
  
  

4:15 - 5:15 p.m.

CSDA Benefits Trivia: There’s Nothing Trivial About CSDA Benefits!

True or False: CSDA has sample meeting agendas online? Choose the right answer: Members receive (a) free car washes (b) car rental discounts

We will be handing out plenty of prizes at this CSDA Trivia Challenge

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Registration and Opening Reception

8:30 - 9:45 a.m.

General Session: Change Chose Me…Now What?

Merlyna Valentine

Staying positive in tough times means learning to embrace change. Merlyna’s presentation will teach your group that life is more than just what happens to you. How you respond is what matters most. Merlyna teaches you how to live a purposeful life, believe in yourself, embrace change, and succeed in life.

9:45 - 10:15 a.m.

Break, Networking with the Exhibitors

10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

FPPC Form 700 and Conflicts of Interest

Adam Ramirez and Toren Lewis, Fair Political Practices Commission

This seminar will provide general information for public officials and designated employees who must file a Form 700, Statement of Economic Interests. Participants will learn about the relationship between a conflict of interest code and the Form 700, filing deadlines, disclosure categories, reporting thresholds and gifts. A detailed overview of how to complete each schedule of the Form 700 will be provided as well. Additionally, this seminar will provide a brief overview of the conflict of interest provisions of the Political Reform Act and Government Code Section 1090. Participants will learn to spot and analyze issues, as well as information about seeking informal assistance or formal written advice from FPPC.

10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Not My Job is Not Acceptable: Public Agency Customer Service

Stephanie Smith, Best Best & Krieger LLP

Ask any elected official and they will tell you, constituents matter. In the private sector, customer service is a top priority because unhappy customers tend to purchase less, resulting in revenue loss. In government, bad customer service results in frustration when trying to obtain information. When citizens are frustrated, they sometimes give up on completing important tasks, like filing their taxes or paying their bills, simply because it is too difficult to obtain the necessary information. The government then wastes resources by having to single out these individuals. Strong customer service also builds important community connections, allowing your agency to leverage resources it might not know it has. In this session, participants will learn:

• Why winning the popular vote is important
• The key relationship between service and economic stability
• How to boost productivity by improving their service skills
• What to do when the customer “isn’t” always right.

12:15 - 1:15 p.m.

Networking Luncheon

1:30 - 2:45 p.m.

Get Reacquainted with the Public Records Act and Recent Updates

Lindsay Thorson, Richards Watson Gershon

This session will provide a brief refresher on the Public Records Act, as well as explain recent updates to the Act that every Board Secretary/Clerk should be familiar with.

This session will provide a brief summary of the important provisions of the Public Records Act, including the substantive requirements of the Act and the procedure for implementing the Act. In addition, it will explain recent statutory updates to the Act and cases implementing the Act. Outcomes will include:

• Reacquainting Board Secretaries/Clerks with the requirements of the Public Records Act.
• Understanding how to implement the Public Records Act.
• Informing Board Secretaries/Clerks on the latest updates to the Public Records Act.

1:30 - 2:45 p.m.

Where Do I Begin? Building a Strong Data Backup Strategy Step by Step

Corey Kaufman, VC3

Local Governments often lack a strong data backup strategy and foundation—leaving them at risk to lose data even when they think they are taking the right steps. Do you have the right data backup strategy in place? We will discuss the essential elements of a data backup and disaster recovery strategy to truly protect your organization’s data—specifically touching on how cloud-based solutions can enhance this strategy.

2:45 - 3:15 p.m.

Refreshment Break with Exhibitors

3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Project Management Best Practices: The Key to On-Time and Under-Budget

Stephanie Smith, Best Best & Krieger LLP

Managing projects can be a big headache sometimes. The challenge can be so large, sometimes it’s easier to just “wing it” and hope everything turns out okay. Managers often time spend more time managing the people involved in the project than the project itself. But what if there was a better way? From developing the project business case, to driving decision-making from stakeholders, this session will cover all the skills necessary to ensure your next major project is completed on time and under budget. Participants will learn:

• How to understand the process and project documents
• The keys to effective project planning with the team
• The five stages of team development
• How to facilitate effective team meetings
• Take away a better understanding of how project management can assist you in performing your role in your organization.

3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

When the Gavel Strikes: Tips for Efficient and Effective Board Meetings

Lindsay Thorson, Richards Watson Gershon

Public meetings influence how your agency is perceived by the public. Meeting management strategies can make board meetings more effective, and promote an image of efficiency and transparency. In this session, we share tips for minimizing disruptions, facilitating public participation, and fostering a thoughtful-yet-convivial atmosphere during board meetings.

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Reception

8:30 - 10:00 a.m.

Recent Legislative Updates to the Brown Act, the Public Records Act, and More

Jessilyn Ho and Brendan Adams, Hanson Bridgett, LLP

This session will discuss recent legislative updates that impact special districts and will be important for board secretaries and clerks to know. It will include updates to the Brown Act, the Public Records Act, the Political Reform Act, and more. The presenters will offer practical recommendations to comply and get your district ready for 2024.

8:30 - 10:00 a.m.

Using Marketing Techniques to Attract and Retain Employees

Melissa Asher, CPS HR Consulting

You may not associate marketing with Human Resources, but this competency has emerged as an important skillset to attract and retain employees, especially in the public sector. The public sector is not known for selling itself, but in the current labor market successfully telling the story about what your organization does and how you positively impact communities will make a difference in the talent you attract and the satisfaction of your current workforce.

• Discuss what marketing in human resources means (you don’t need a marketing degree)
• Explain how to apply these practices for a better recruiting result
• Apply marketing techniques to internal employee communications to improve the employee experience

10:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Break, Networking with the Exhibitors

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Elections Update: The Status of the California Voting Rights Act

Doug Johnson, National Demographics Corporation (NDC); Derek Cole, Cole Huber LLP

Special Districts and other jurisdictions continue to receive California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) litigation threats. In Sacramento there are rumblings of efforts to apply the procedurally burdensome and expensive requirements of the FAIR MAPS Act to special district districting and redistricting.

NDC President Douglas Johnson and Cole Huber LLP Founding Partner Derek Cole will provide an update on Santa Monica’s litigation fighting its CVRA lawsuit. They will also discuss how to tell if your District faces legal risk and how to manage that transition, and what challenges face by-division special districts if the FAIR MAPS Act is expanded.

Attendees will hear:

• The latest status of the CVRA and how to analyze if your jurisdiction is at risk
• Learn how the Santa Monica case might (but probably won’t) allow more jurisdictions to stay at-large
• Learn the dangers for special districts if the requirements of the FAIR MAPS Act are expanded

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Write for Effortless Reading, Even in Government

Erin Lebacqz, CPS HR Consulting

Good writing that leads to effortless reading, even for government communications, can be a reality! Join us for this engaging session on how to make your messages read, understood, and best of all, used. Following the federal and state mandates for writing in plain language, you can craft communications that are clear, concise, and easy to read. With a few tips around wording, structure, and design, your intended audience will walk away with the right message the first time. Avoid the cost of poor communication by applying these techniques which will save you time and frustration.

Learning objective:

• Understand what the plain language mandate is
• Learn how to write concisely at the word, sentence, and paragraph level
• Learn how to eliminate governmentese and get your message across clearly

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Networking Luncheon

1:15 - 2:30 p.m.

The Brown Act in a Modern World

Nicholas Ghirelli, Richards Watson Gershon

This presentation will review the following:

1. The Brown Act's new virtual meeting rules, including AB 361, AB 2449, and the Brown Act's traditional teleconferencing options.
2. AB 992's rules for commenting on social media about agency business.
3. Avoiding constitutional issues when monitoring your social media pages.

1:15 - 2:30 p.m.

Challenging Situations for Board Secretaries and Clerks

Margaret Long, Prentice Long PC

What do you do when one of your board members is sexually harassing staff? How can you get your board members to attend legally required trainings? What happens when your board members personally attack each other and engage in bullying behavior? In this session you’ll learn what your responsibilities are for ensuring that the elected officials in your agency follow the laws. You’ll also learn about practical tools and resources for successfully dealing with elected officials who refuse to comply. And finally, you’ll learn about what can legally be done if your attempts to resolve these issues have failed.

2:30 - 2:45 p.m.

Break, Networking with the Exhibitors

2:45 - 4:00 p.m.

Your Board Member Resigned . . . Now What?

Nicholas Ghirelli, Richards Watson Gershon

Every so often Board Secretaries/Clerks are faced with a Board vacancy. It is important to know and understand there are legal requirements and steps to take when this occurs.

• A vacancy occurs, Now what?
• How to fill the vacancy within the required timeframe
• Vacancy Notice is posted
• Appointment is made
Now that you have a new Board Member, now what?

2:45 - 4:00 p.m.

Practicing Emotional Intelligence

Sylvette Wake, CPS HR Consulting

There is strong evidence that emotional intelligence is one of the strongest predictors of performance. Some research states that it is responsible for 58% of your job performance and 90% of top performers have a high EQ. So, getting more EQ is a good thing. Join us for this session to unpack the four quadrants of emotional intelligence and what you can do to boost your EQ.

4:00 p.m.

Conference Concludes