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1996 COiVl; OF EXPOSITION
<br />
<br />AN OPPORTUNITY TO
<br />
<br />LEARN, SHARE IDEAS,
<br />AND BUILD SKILLS
<br />
<br /> Join with your colleagues
<br /> from around the country to
<br /> learn about successful and
<br /> innovative local programs.
<br /> Talk to elected officials who
<br /> have the same concerns you
<br /> have in your city. Find ways to
<br /> anticipate and resolve problems
<br /> faced by elected officials
<br /> everyday. Bring your ideas
<br /> and help to create and enhance
<br /> strong communities.
<br /> The conference will offer a
<br />wide range of substantive ses-
<br />sions organized into six major
<br />themes. The topics for the
<br />conference were selected by a
<br />45-member committee of NLC
<br />members who met in April to
<br />develop the program plan for
<br />the conference. Four general
<br />sessions during the conference
<br />will feature top notch speakers
<br /> 'ho will raise ideas and set the
<br />_4age for concurrent workshops
<br />and networking sessions. And,
<br />the city of San Antonio is plan-
<br />ning a series of mobile work-
<br />shops highlighting successful
<br />city programs to complement
<br />the issues covered in work-
<br />shops and roundtable discus-
<br />sions. The conference will
<br />offer in depth information in a
<br />variety of formats to ensure
<br />that your trip to San Antonio
<br />will benefit your community in
<br />positive and productive ways.
<br />The following sections provide
<br />a snapshot of the issues and
<br />ideas that will be covered dur-
<br />ing this exciting learning expe-
<br />rience.
<br />
<br />CITIES AND CITIZENS:
<br />STRENGTHENING THE
<br />CONNECTIONS
<br /> The health of our democratic
<br />process is under serious chal-
<br />lenge today. Many people feel
<br />not only disconnected from
<br />government, but even openly
<br />negative toward it. Local offi-
<br />Is sometimes feel that their
<br />.onsrituencies are disinterested
<br />
<br />government. As a result, local
<br />leaders are seeking ways to
<br />invigorate the roles and
<br />processes that, at the communi-
<br />ty level, bind citizens, institu-
<br />tions, and government together
<br />in a mutual effort to establish
<br />goals and solve problems.
<br /> This series of workshops
<br />will focus on tools, insights,
<br />and ideas you can take back to
<br />your city or town and imple-
<br />ment to create stronger connec-
<br />tions between your government
<br />and citizens. The sessions will
<br />draw on the Advisory
<br />Council's year long study of
<br />civic democracy and civic
<br />responsibility which will con-
<br />clude in San Antonio. Topics
<br />to be covered include the cur-
<br />rent media interest in civic
<br />journalism, community conflict
<br />that can emerge from racial
<br />and ethnic differences, as well
<br />as consider the enriching
<br />potential of mulficultural cities,
<br />and strategies for preserving,
<br />and enriching democracy at the
<br />local level.
<br />
<br /> SMALL CITIES...
<br /> CELEBRATING THE
<br /> COMEBACK
<br /> Small cities are on the up
<br />and up! According to the U.S.
<br />Census Bureau, 74 percent of
<br />America's non-metropolitan
<br />areas grew between 1990 and
<br />1994, reversing population
<br />losses of the 1980s. During
<br />those years, employment grew
<br />faster in rural areas than in
<br />urban ones. The bottom line--
<br />more and more Americans are
<br />choosing to live and work in
<br />smaller communities. As a
<br />local official, it's likely you can
<br />take some credit for-- and
<br />advantage of-- this positive
<br />trend.
<br /> This series of workshops
<br />will explore, share, and cele-
<br />brate the successes of
<br />America's small cities and
<br />towns. And, no matter what
<br />style of learning you prefer,
<br />there will be something to meet
<br />your needs. Whether it's strate-
<br />gies for citizen involvement ...
<br />
<br />nomic development and down-
<br />town revitalization ... commu-
<br />nity-oriented programs for pub-
<br />lic safety or housing ... regional
<br />partnerships for providing
<br />essential services ... cutting-
<br />edge leadership skills ... or cre-
<br />ative solutions for adopting
<br />technology, you'll return home
<br />with plenty of ideas tbr effi-
<br />cient, cost-effective programs
<br />already at work in today's most
<br />vital small communities. This
<br />series of workshops is spon-
<br />sored by the Small Cities
<br />Council.
<br />
<br /> THE CHALLENGES
<br /> AND DEMANDS OF
<br /> LOCAL LEADERSHIP
<br /> What kind of skills does it
<br />take to lead today's cities and
<br />towns into the future? As tech-
<br />nology soars, as city demo-
<br />graphics shift, and as new local
<br />responsibilities evolve, the suc-
<br />cessful local elected official
<br />may benefit from a new vision
<br />of leadership -- one that views
<br />leadership as a "relationship of
<br />influence" within the govem-
<br />lng organization and within the
<br />community.
<br /> This series of workshops
<br />will examine how leadership is
<br />evolving and will provide an
<br />opportunity to learn and dis-
<br />cuss the tools and strategies
<br />needed to be an effective
<br />leader. Sessions will focus on
<br />collaboration, consensus build-
<br />ing, effective communications,
<br />and emerging leadership issues.
<br />And, through a variety of for-
<br />mats, including panel presenta-
<br />tions, roundtable discussions,
<br />case studies, and informal dia-
<br />logue, participants will have
<br />the opportunity to develop and
<br />enhance their ability to lead
<br />changing times. This series of
<br />workshops is sponsored by
<br />the Leadership Training
<br />Council.
<br />
<br />CHANGING
<br />GOVERNANCE...
<br />THE FUTURE IS NOW
<br /> Power to the cities.
<br />
<br />emi mandates. These are the
<br />signposts of the 90's. As we
<br />approach the 21 st century,
<br />many policy makers are
<br />rethinking how government at
<br />all levels works to serve the
<br />people. From a major new
<br />telecommunications law to the
<br />Unfunded Federal Mandates
<br />Reform Act to emerging city-
<br />states, the relationship between
<br />cities, counties, states, and the
<br />federal government is in flux.
<br />And this environment of gov-
<br />ernmental change offers local
<br />officials a unique opportunity
<br />to become leaders in creating a
<br />new intergovemmental system.
<br /> This series of workshops
<br />will examine what is happen-
<br />ing in Washington and in state
<br />houses, that will have an
<br />impact on local government
<br />and how local officials can
<br />identif~ the risks and seize the
<br />opportunities. Sessions will
<br />also focus on strategies for
<br />ensuring an effective local gov-
<br />ernment voice in decision-mak-
<br />ing about roles and responsibil-
<br />ities. Attend these workshops
<br />and you will hear the perspec-
<br />tives of decision-makers and
<br />experienced government
<br />observers who will give you
<br />the tools to equip you and your
<br />city for change.
<br />
<br />PUBLIC SAFETY
<br />CHALLENGES AND
<br />SOLUTIONS FOR THE
<br />NEXT CENTURY
<br /> Public safety is everyone's
<br />top priority. When local offi-
<br />cials are asked about issues
<br />they want to discuss at NLC
<br />annual conferences, public safe-
<br />ty shows up on everyone's list.
<br />This year is no exception - and
<br />this series of workshops will
<br />continue a dialogue that has
<br />been a cornerstone of annual
<br />meetings for the past four years.
<br />These concurrent workshops
<br />will explore comprehensive
<br />approaches to ensuring safe and
<br />secure communities, examples
<br />of successful programs, and
<br />
<br />zens of all ages partners in the
<br />community's public safety
<br />efforts. Through panel discus-
<br />sions, roundtables, and mobile
<br />tours, you will learn about inno-
<br />vative approaches to these and
<br />other public safety problems
<br />that affect your commuruty.
<br />Additionally, workshops will
<br />examine innovative methods to
<br />provide public safety through
<br />community policing and how
<br />using technology to provide
<br />public safety can be cost--effec-
<br />tive and more efficient.
<br /> No matter what public safe-
<br />ty challenges your municipality
<br />faces---these concurrent ses-
<br />sions will provide new
<br />approaches for your community.
<br />
<br /> COMPETITIVENESS:
<br /> YOUR COMMUNITY'S
<br /> ECONOMIC FUTURE
<br /> The economic vitality, qual-
<br />ity of life, and social and physi-
<br />cal infrastructure of a commu-
<br />nity may depend on its ability
<br />to compete in the global mar-
<br />ketplace. Policy decisions
<br />local leaders make about eco-
<br />nomic performance may deter-
<br />mine the quality ora communi-
<br />ty's jobs, schools, neighbor-
<br />hoods, and civic institutions.
<br /> To help local officials build
<br />and enhance a stable, growing
<br />economy that supports commu-
<br />nity assets such as schools,
<br />churches, and civic organiza-
<br />tions, these workshops will
<br />focus on developing strategies
<br />for business growth and job
<br />creation; building multi-sector
<br />coalitions to shape local eco-
<br />nomic strategies: preparing
<br />workers for jobs in the new
<br />economy; and strengthening
<br />the capacities of local
<br />resources. A mobile tour along
<br />San Antonio's River Walk and
<br />a tour of the Casa San Antonio
<br />free trade program will also
<br />highlight economic "best prac-
<br />rices" that delegates can take
<br />home and implement for their
<br />community's economic future.
<br />
<br />in and uninformed about lock__Devolution No unfunded fed- oppommities for making citi-
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