It’s hard to believe that this week there isn’t a meeting for the Congress Planning Committee. I had the privilege of being a member of the Committee this year as well as a moderator and speaker for the “Planning and Executing Successful Events” workshop.

The Planning Committee met each week for the past month as the Congress date grew near. The meetings led by our fearless leader Cindy Cleghorn covered a multitude of details from the program, printed materials, the bags, pins, Congress speakers, VIP’s and the Empower LA Awards coordinated by Lydia Grant.

Volunteer’s headed to City Hall the day before to put together the finishing touches in preparation for Neighborhood Council leaders who would register on site, fill the halls, courtyard for breakfast, and lunch, convene in the meeting rooms to attend 40 workshops and Council Chambers for the opening and closing remarks by Cindy, Council President Herb Wesson and Mayor Eric Garcetti.

As a workshop coordinator and speaker this was a truly humbling experience. Meeting NC leaders from all over Los Angeles and to be able to present a workshop that would help them in their quest to produce successful events for their communities meant a great deal to our panel of speakers.

Our panel was made up of community activists who collectively have been producing events in their communities for more than 60 years. Genelle LeVin, President, Silver Lake Improvement Association, Rebecca Hogan, Director of Marketing, Make Music LA in addition to our timekeeper for the workshop Mark L. Hummer, Vice President, Silver Lake Improvement Association who is the chair of the “Music Box Steps Day Family Film Festival.” The Festival is a celebration of Laurel and Hardy’s Academy Award winning short “The Music Box” that was filmed in Silver Lake on the steps that border Laurel and Hardy Park.

Genelle LeVin, President, Silver Lake Improvement Association a former Treasurer of the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council and Chair of the Election Committee. Genelle reviewed the election process from the registration kickoff of candidates through 2 candidate forums, ballot counting, and the installation of the new board. The PowerPoint presentation and handout(s) will be on the Congress website www.nccongressla.com.

Genelle and Mark together gave a presentation on how to create meaningful small events that are unique to your neighborhood. The photographs in the PowerPoint presentation highlighted “Music Box Steps Day” and how this community has been coming together to celebrate for 21 years.

Rebecca Hogan discussed cultural events with an emphasis on Make Music LA. Make Music LA is celebrating its 5th anniversary June 21st, 2016. The event is free, primarily outdoors and celebrates the Summer Solstice annually on June 21st. Make Music LA is a part of a national movement with more than 22 US cities participating in a global event that is celebrated in 800 cities and 110 countries worldwide. Make Music LA is organic, open to every age and level of ability. Anyone can play.

Our hope was to share information on how to be in the right frame of mind to take on the responsibility of creating memorable events for your communities. In addition to how to follow a timeline, prepare a budget, and track your progress and have the successful outcome you desire. In addition please document, document, and document being sure to leave books and perhaps DVD’s of the events you produce. When leaving project/event information in a record it is very helpful for those that follow you in similar positions to know what has been done, how successful the event was and what could make it better is invaluable.

All of the panel members have made themselves available for further discussion with workshop participants. So if you have questions and or need a little guidance please feel free to contact us. Contact information can be found on the Resource and Suggested Reading page located with the workshop handouts.