In February, planning
for the Northern District May 21st Spring Conference
began. Early decisions made included a suitable location and
available facility dates. As the conference topic, I chose the
climate action plan since all counties must comply with SB 215
and AB 375. I added our counties cluster housing ordinance,
agricultural districts ordinance, solar housing ordinance and
solar facilities ordinance for some valuable variety.
Once
the program was determined, the six guest speakers were
contacted and a date established that was workable for all.
Next was contracting the lunch caterer, the bus for the
afternoon’s three tours, the conference facility and making
hotel arrangements. Registration packets were designed and
sent to all planning directors and planning commissioners
state-wide in early April. My telephone committee phoned
planning directors throughout the state and a follow-up reminder
post card was then sent to 20 plus neighboring counties’
planning directors.
Planning a conference is a major part of
its success, but paying for it is another challenge. My plan to
ask a relatively small favor of many people worked well. I
called in a lot of personal, agricultural industry and business
favors, resulting in $100.00 or larger donations received from
30 sponsors. The net result was a good profit for the CCPCA
bank account to help underwrite the CCPCA Annual Conference in
Sacramento this October.
While the
conference attendance was disappointing, those who were absent
were the losers. We had great speakers, great food, great tours
and great weather. Who could have asked for more? All early
bird signees received a bottle of wine, a rose bush or an oak
tree. My thanks go out to my telephone committee consisting
of Karimah Karah, Cliff Swetnam, Matthew Pope, Charlotte Hague
and Jerry Morrow.
Many thanks go to the chairman of the Yolo
County Planning Commission, Richard Reed, the computer wizard
who compiled my conference data and designed our program
packet. My wife, Linda, was the proof reader, typist and
provided moral support for me. CCPCA Executive Director Renee’ Lederer was a big help
with program and post card printing and mailing.
Now let’s
get involved and support our Association President, Charlotte
Hague, with the 81st Annual CCPCA Conference on October 21 and
22 in
Sacramento. She is busy working on it now.
Leroy Bertolero,
CCPCA Northern Director
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