The Congress of Neighborhood Councils is held annually in the fall for the purpose of training Neighborhood Council Board Members, Committee Members and Stakeholders in the finer points of Civic Engagement. Attendees get to meet people from 96 councils across the City and learn about election outreach, working with the media, streetscaping, community impact statements, the mobility plan and more.

Neighborhood Councils have been in existance for almost 15 years and discussion was afoot to stop calling Board Members "just volunteers" but rather to realize that Board Members have the power to call City Departments and affect change. Commissioner Lydia Grant challenged Board Members, "You have the power. You have to take it. Nobody's going to give it to you." She described how several NCs banded together September 24 to get homeless vets into empty beds at the Veteran's Administration and the uncanny timing of that effort with the City declaring a state of emergency due to homelessness. Read more about NCs taking a leadership position on homeless.

This free event is open to everyone and you may want to attend next year to learn how you can make a difference in the City. This year's Congress concluded with remarks by the Mayor.

Valley Disaster Preparedness Fair

One week after the Congress, the PRNC was on hand at the Valley Disaster Preparedness Fair to greet attendees. Shown, Board Members Cheri Derohanian, Alex Kim and Becky Leveque.