Final day to apply for California Connections

Only a few seats remain in this exciting programlaunch!  Join an assembled cohort of more than 25 Leadership L.A. and Leadership Southern California alumni, as well as other Southern California civic leaders, at SCLN's California Connections launch in the Bay Area, April 28-30, 2010.  In addition to keynote addresses by former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown; California Secretary of Service & Volunteering Karen Baker; and San Francisco Chief of Police George Gason, we have confirmed some of the region's top civic leaders spearheading innovations in science and technology; transportation and land use; and social services in the Bay Area.  The deadline to apply is TODAY at 5 p.m.  Apply now to be a part of the discussion on the future of the state.

Leadership Class of L.A. 2010 experiences arts and culture in Los Angeles                

The Leadership L.A. Class of 2010 explored arts and culture at the Music Center on April 9. Fellows discussed the creative economy with Jack Kyser, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, and spoke with a panel of arts leaders on education, social change and business. Many panelists stressed the need to innovate in their organizations in terms of structure and audience outreach to keep up with diversity in Los Angeles. They also experienced first-hand different arts organizations that focus on arts education (Inner-City Arts pictured above), performing arts and cultural arts. The day concluded with Charmaine Jefferson, California African American Museum on the importance of sustaining the arts in Los Angeles and managing through crises. Read more about the session on Twitter @SCLN. View photo gallery.

LSC Class explores San Diego and the crossborder region
The Leadership Southern California Class of 2010 also met Robert Bonner, former First Commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection, who spoke to Fellows at a dinner designed to deepen understanding of binational security policy and best practices.  Bonner stated, "...successful efforts will require closer collaboration between U.S. and Mexican border law enforcement agencies."  Case study excursions on the local economy brought the Fellows to Sempra Energy, Naval Base San Diego, and Centre City Development Corp to discuss the importance of these entities that are influencing the region. Panel discussions led by Richard Kiy, International Community Foundation, and Robert Kittle, formerly of the San Diego-Union Tribune, highlighted issues related to civic engagement and philanthropy in the region, media coverage of narcoviolence in Mexico, and binational cooperation on security and health issues.  Read more about the two-day session on Twitter @SCLN. View photo gallery.

Southern California Leadership Network staff announcement
SCLN is pleased to announce updates to staffing that will be effective in mid-May. Current Program Coordinator Alex Pampalone will graduate from his master's in public diplomacy program and begin as a full-time employee with SCLN; and current Program Manager Taleen Ananian will have the opportunity to fulfill a graduate school internship requirement at the Paris office of SCLN's partner, The German Marshall Fund of the United States, from mid-May to mid-August. Please join us in congratulating Alex and Taleen. To reach members of the SCLN team, please view our contact information online.

National Urban Fellow Awarded to SCLN to develop 2011 California Connections initiative  SCLN is also pleased to announce that a 2010 National Urban Fellow will be placed with SCLN in September. National Urban Fellows develops accomplished and courageous professionals of all ethnic and racial backgrounds, particularly people of color and women, to be leaders and change agents in the public and non-profit sectors, with a strong commitment to social justice and equity. The Fellow will work full-time with the SCLN team over nine months and will take the lead in developing a full state-wide program for our California Connections leadership initiative. "We are pleased to have been considered as a partner with National Urban Fellows and we are excited about the additional capacity to develop our newest program, California Connections," said SCLN Board Chair Kimberly Freeman, Sempra Energy. The Fellowship is underwritten by a grant from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

SCLN Partner Event: SCAG 2010 Regional Conference & General Assembly, May 5-7

Register now for the Southern California Association of Governments Regional Conference & General Assembly, set for May 5-7 at La Quinta Resort. This year's theme, "Moving Forward - Planning Together," will feature panel discussions around transportation, jobs and the economy, 2010 ballot initiatives, and housing. SCLN is a sponsor of this event. View agenda and register now.