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Early Registration Open for National Summit on Your City’s Families
by Michael Karpman
It’s the nation’s largest gathering of municipal leaders and community partners working to improve the lives of children, youth and families in their communities. It’s an unparalleled opportunity to learn new ideas and strategies, network with peers from cities and towns across the country, and solidify partnerships for future action.
It’s the 2007 National Summit on Your City’s Families, and it’s back.
The summit is returning to the Westin Riverwalk hotel in San Antonio from September 30 to October 2. Mayors, council members, senior municipal staff and other city leaders can now register for the summit and get a significant discount on their registration until July 16.
In addition, city officials are encouraged to bring teams of school district, nonprofit and other community partners to join them, and these partners will also get the discounted registration rate. The registration form is available online at www.nlc.org/iyef.
Tough Questions, Local Responses
Sponsored by NLC’s Institute for Youth, Education, and Families, the summit will offer a wide array of workshops, plenary sessions, and interactive discussions to help attendees grapple with many important questions, such as:
• How can I strengthen families and improve outcomes for children and youth in my city?
• What can I do to improve our local schools and promote school readiness?
• Which strategies are effective in keeping youth safe and out of trouble?
• How can my city develop afterschool programs that support learning and reduce crime?
• Are there models I can use to encourage youth leadership and participation in municipal government?
• What are cities doing to combat the childhood obesity epidemic?
• Where are mayors and other city leaders making progress in reducing poverty and helping families build financial assets?
Summit participants will learn how communities of all sizes and of every region of the country are addressing these concerns, and how lessons from their experiences can be applied at home. In addition, site visits to innovative programs in San Antonio will provide participants with a first-hand understanding of creative local strategies and approaches to helping children, youth and families succeed.
Build A Network
The summit is a unique opportunity to network with and learn from hundreds of peers and colleagues from cities and towns across the nation. City officials often connect with each other and discover they are not alone in confronting a particular problem or question.
The cross-city exchange of knowledge and ideas is a valuable part of the overall summit experience. Participants realize they do not have to reinvent the wheel as they discuss promising practices and policies that have been implemented elsewhere.
The relationships that are built through the summit extend far beyond the last day of the event. Participants return home inspired to take action, and they can turn to an expanded network of peers in other cities and towns for advice and support.
Essential Partners
City leaders are essential players in sustainable, community-wide approaches to strengthening families and improving outcomes for children and youth. At the same time, municipal governments need to build partnerships with other community stakeholders to effectively maximize existing resources, streamline efforts, measure progress and engage local residents.
City officials who choose to bring along key stakeholders from their communities will have the opportunity to participate in a special session at the summit to help strengthen citywide collaboration and advance local efforts. The summit can be a pivotal event in helping community teams set priorities, sharpen their focus and determine how to move forward in making their cities or towns places where children and families thrive.
Details: To learn more and to register for the 2007 National Summit on Your City’s Families, visit www.nlc.org/iyef and download the registration form. To ask questions, contact Sharie Wood at (202) 626-3087 or iyef@nlc.org.
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