Free Conference for Carlsbad Residents Interested in Being Community Leaders

The City of Carlsbad will host a free half-day conference Saturday, Feb. 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa, for residents interested in taking a leadership role in their neighborhoods or the community at large. 

The “Carlsbad – Love it” neighborhoods conference will feature inspirational speakers, hands on seminars and resource booths designed to help residents expand their leadership and community organizing skills.

“We have already seen what a difference involved residents can make in our city,” said Debbie Fountain, director of House & Neighborhood Services for the city.  “By sharing success stories and providing a forum for neighbors to learn from each other, we hope to encourage an even higher level of community involvement and neighborhood leadership in Carlsbad.”

Speakers for the inaugural event include Dean Nelson a Point Loma Nazarene University professor, Gabrielle Posard of Donate Don’t Dump, Claudine Jones of Carlsbad Unified School District, Linda Ledesma of the Carlsbad Police Department and one of the founders of Youth Enrichment Services or “YES,” Rosemary Eschelman of Carlsbad Unified School District and YES, Phil Urbina of the Carlsbad Christmas Bureau and Deb Ferraro, a founding member of Carlsbad Causes for Community.  Check the city website, for additional program details.

According to Fountain, the city wants to encourage grassroots leadership at all levels, from school kids organizing charity projects to neighbors setting up online social networks.

“This event is for anyone who has ever wanted to get more involved in their community but just didn’t know where to start,” said Fountain. “You don’t have to have a big idea to make a difference, you just need to follow your passion.”

Advanced registration is required. To sign up, visit www.carlsbadconnect.org and search for “neighborhoods conference” or call 760-434-2810.  Users new to the city’s online registration system will need to set up an account.  The event is free and open to all Carlsbad residents.  The conference will feature a supervised kids activity room where parents can drop off their children while they attend the event.

–City of Carlsbad