At yesterday’s Board of Directors meeting of the Local Government Commission, I was elected chair of the board for 2008, and Councilmember Jean Quan of Oakland was elected vice-chair. Click here for a full list of the LGC Board of Directors, and click here for more information about membership.

The 2008 7th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference by the LGC is in Washington, DC, February 7-9 and is expected to draw over 1,200 participants from around the U.S. and several foreign countries.

The Local Government Commission (LGC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, membership organization that provides inspiration, technical assistance, and networking to local elected officials and other dedicated community leaders who are working to create healthy, walkable, and resource-efficient communities. The LGC's membership is composed of local elected officials, city and county staff, planners, architects, and community leaders who are committed to making their communities more livable, prosperous, and resource-efficient.

The Local Government Commission assists local governments in establishing and nurturing the key elements of livable communities:

• a healthier human and natural environment,
• a more sustainable economy,
• an actively engaged populace, and
• an equitable society.

LGC assists local governments in developing and implementing policies and programs that help establish these key elements by:

• Facilitating conferences, regional workshops and other partnering opportunities;
• Producing guidebooks, videos, slide shows, and several monthly newsletters that share policy and project ideas;
• Providing an extensive resource library run by qualified staff;
• Providing an e-mail alert service that shares information on available state and federal grants.

What’s new at the Local Government Commission?

• EVENT: 17th Annual Ahwahnee Conference in Yosemite
• NEW PROJECT: Implementing AB 32
• NEW PROGRAM: Healthy Communities
• FACT SHEET: Cultivating Community Gardens
• EVENT: Climate Change Discussion – Sacramento Region
• EVENT: 7th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference
• NEW PROGRAM: First Stop Shop for Water Resources