Workshops

In-Person Workshop: San Bernardino LAFCO Training: Finance 201

Presenter: Rick Wood, CSDA

This session will explore advanced financial concepts and strategies including:
• Advanced financial Policies and Internal Controls 
• Investment Options for Special Districts
• Assessing the Financial Health of Your District

Virtual Workshop: Policy and Procedure Writing

Presenter: Antoinette Joy, CPS HR Consulting

This workshop offers practical, relevant, and effective tools to help organizations improve their rules and instructions so employees can actually use them.  

During this course, participants learn to:

• Avoid the most common policy-writing mistakes.
• Distinguish between policies, procedures, and task outlines.
• Organize, write, and edit “reader-friendly” policies, procedures, and tasks.

Wednesday and Thursday, April 30 and May 1, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. each day

$265 CSDA Member
$530 Non-member

Need help paying for registration? Click here to apply for a scholarship.

In-Person Workshop: Financial Management for Special Districts

Qualifies toward the completion of the SDLF Essential Leadership Skills Certificate program

 

Presenters:
Justin Williams, MUN CPAs
Paula Hansen, Southgate Recreation & Park District
Rick Wood, CSDA

Money, money, money…it’s on everyone’s mind and on your job description. Make sure you understand the full scope of financial information affecting special districts today. From budgeting and internal controls to long term planning and capital improvement plans. Attendees will get the information they need to begin to assess the overall financial health of their district and steps needed to make positive changes.

Thursday, May 1, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

$250 SDRMA Member
$325 CSDA Member
$650 Non-member

Price includes lunch.

Co-sponsored by 

Need help paying for registration? Click here to apply for a scholarship.

Leadership Lessons with District Managers

Presenters: 
Hilary Straus, Citrus Heights Water District
Justin Scott-Coe, Monte Vista Water District

Leadership is not just for those at the top – it’s a skill that can elevate individuals across all job levels. Join us for engaging sessions where we’ll explore essential leadership principles tailored to a variety of District roles. Hear insights on cultivating leadership qualities that foster collaboration, drive results, and empower growth at each stage of your career.

No matter your current position, these sessions will provide actionable strategies to strengthen your leadership presence. Topics include communication techniques, decision-making, team motivation, and adapting leadership style to different situations.

Take this opportunity to elevate your career and inspire those around you – because leadership is for everyone!

Please note this course is offered for informational purposes only and does not qualify for a certificate.

Friday, May 2, 2025
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Free to all.

Sponsored by the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF).

Virtual Workshop: Organizational Development

Qualifies toward the completion of the SDLF Essential Leadership Skills Certificate program

 Presenter: Justin Scott-Coe, Monte Vista Water District

This workshop, taking place over the course of two half-days, will help leaders conduct an overall organizational assessment of their district, provide a primer on strategic planning, and instruct on the best practices for leadership development and team building. We will also explore how to handle inevitable change in your organization, implement effective performance management strategies, promote employee engagement, and handle conflict resolution, including managing disputes and fostering an environment of effective collaboration.

Wednesday and Thursday, May 7 and 8, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. each day

$265 CSDA Member
$530 Non-member

Need help paying for registration? Click here to apply for a scholarship.

In-Person Workshop: San Bernardino LAFCO Training: Effective Meeting Management Through Parliamentar

Presenter: Travis Kaya and Marian Slocum, Richards Watson Gershon

A board’s objectives can be efficiently and productively accomplished when parliamentary procedures are honored and upheld. Following Robert’s Rules of Order and other procedures assures productive debate, efficient meetings, and protected rights. This session will cover the relevant legal frameworks that govern board procedures, ensuring compliance with applicable laws while maintaining order and efficiency.

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Free of charge for special district in San Bernardino County

Pleae note: this training is sponsored by San Bernardino LAFCo and so is only available to special districts in San Bernardino County.

Virtual Workshop: Overview of Special District Laws

Qualifies toward the completion of the SDLF Essential Leadership Skills Certificate program

Presenter: Derek Cole, Cole Huber, LLP

Day One: Board Governance – Brown Act, Ethics, Elections and Vacancies
Day One will include an overview of board governance issues. The presentation will address Brown Act requirements, including agendas, closed sessions, committees, voting, teleconferencing, and recording of open meetings. The presentation also include an overview of public service ethics laws, including conflicts of interest, Government Code section 1090, and related subjects.  The presentation will also provide an overview of district elections and filling elected positions that become vacant.  The discussion of these subjects will include analysis of recent legal developments and  new laws as well as practical tips based on the speaker’s many years of experience advising local agencies.

Day Two: Transparency – Public Records, ADA Website Requirements, and Audits
Day Two will review compliance issues related to the California Public Records Act (“CPRA”). It will also address California website compliance that integrates the CPRA, Brown Act, and addresses Section 508 ADA Compliance, State Controller Reports, Healthcare District Website, and Open Data.  The presentation will also address special district audit requirements.

Wednesday and Thursday, June 4 and 5, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. each day

$265 CSDA Member
$530 Non-member

Need help paying for registration? Click here to apply for a scholarship.

Pre-GM Summit Workshop: A Double Dose of Executive Skills: Executing on Strategic Planning & Winning

This is a Pre-Conference Workshop for the General Manager Leadership Summit. You do not need to attend the conference to register.

Presenter: Ryder Todd Smith, Tripepi Smith

This session will review two key areas that busy special district executives need to be adept at managing: strategic planning and public outreach. Strategic planning can bring your elected leaders along through a process to yield effective outcomes that will help you better manage the organization and the board. The morning session will focus on learning the key steps to conduct a strategic planning process and review various options to add to the process. Then, we will shift our afternoon focus to address misinformation and close the gap with your public on the critical work of your agency. The afternoon workshop will focus on how to make communications an asset in your agency and provide a high-level walk-through of how you can best manage your communication efforts.

Sunday, June 29, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

$325 CSDA Member

$650 Non-member

Price includes continental breakfast and lunch.

Need help paying for registration? Click here to apply for a scholarship.

 

Pre-GM Summit Workshop: So, You Want to Be a GM?

This is a Pre-Conference Workshop for the General Manager Leadership Summit. You do not need to attend the conference to register.

Qualifies toward the completion of the SDLF Essential Leadership Skills Certificate program

Presenter: Scott Carroll, Costa Mesa Sanitary District

A practical career development workshop for senior executives and emerging leaders in special districts. This action oriented workshop includes group and panel discussions on the journey, roles and skill sets of a general manager, identifying GM opportunities including positioning yourself for executive recruitment, developing positive relations with the board, staff and peer agency executives, and leadership practices. Registration fee includes continental breakfast and lunch. Limited class size, register early!

Sunday, June 29, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

$130 CSDA Member and Non-member

Price includes continental breakfast and lunch.

Sponsored by the Special District Leadership Foundation.

Need help paying for registration? Click here to apply for a scholarship.

 

Pre-Annual Conference Workshop: SDLA Governance Foundations

This is a Pre-Conference Workshop for the CSDA Annual Conference & Exhibitor Showcase. You do not need to attend the conference to register. 

Presenter: Hilary Straus, Citrus Heights Water District

In this informational session, the instructor will lay the ground work for good governance in your district.  
Attendees will discover: 

• Why good governance is so important to the overall well-being of the district.  
  The traits of effective board members.
• What good governance means and how to effectively put it into practice.
• How to move your board from “I” to “we,” including how to become an effective team, establish team standards, and essential conditions for team building.

Monday, August 29, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

$325 CSDA Member
$650 Nono-member

Price includes continental breakfast and lunch. 

Eligible for SDRMA Credit Incentive Points.

Need help paying for registration? Click here to apply for a scholarship.

 

Pre-Annual Conference Workshop: So, You Want to Be a GM?

This is a Pre-Conference Workshop for the CSDA Annual Conference & Exhibitor Showcase. You do not need to attend the conference to register.

Qualifies toward the completion of the SDLF Essential Leadership Skills Certificate program

Presenter: Scott Carroll, Costa Mesa Sanitary District

A practical career development workshop for senior executives and emerging leaders in special districts. This action oriented workshop includes group and panel discussions on the journey, roles and skill sets of a general manager, identifying GM opportunities including positioning yourself for executive recruitment, developing positive relations with the board, staff and peer agency executives, and leadership practices. Registration fee includes continental breakfast and lunch. Limited class size, register early!

Monday, August 29, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

$130 CSDA Member and Non-member

Price includes continental breakfast and lunch.

Sponsored by the Special District Leadership Foundation.

Need help paying for registration? Click here to apply for a scholarship.

 

Virtual Workshop: SDLA Module 3 Board's Role in Finance and Fiscal Accountability

Presenter: Justin Williams, MUN CPAs

This session will provide a review and insight of important financial concepts, reports, and policies specific to public agencies including special districts. 

Attendees will learn: 

• How to ask the right questions. 
• How to link the finance process to the district mission and goals. 
• Budget process, budget assessment, and communicating budget information to the public.
• How to develop and analyze capital improvement plans and reserve guidelines.

Wednesday and Thursday, September 17 and 18, 2025
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. each day

$265 CSDA Member
$530 Non-member

Need help paying for registration? Click here to apply for a scholarship.

Leadership Lessons with Finance Professionals

Presenter: 
Rick Wood, CSDA
Paula Hansen, Southgate Recreation & Park District

Leadership is not just for those at the top – it’s a skill that can elevate individuals across all job levels. Join us for engaging sessions where we’ll explore essential leadership principles tailored to a variety of District roles. Hear insights on cultivating leadership qualities that foster collaboration, drive results, and empower growth at each stage of your career.

No matter your current position, these sessions will provide actionable strategies to strengthen your leadership presence. Topics include communication techniques, decision-making, team motivation, and adapting leadership style to different situations.

Take this opportunity to elevate your career and inspire those around you – because leadership is for everyone!

Please note this course is offered for informational purposes only and does not qualify for a certificate.

Friday, September 26, 2025
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Free to all.

Sponsored by the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF).

Virtual Workshop: Organizational Development

Qualifies toward the completion of the SDLF Essential Leadership Skills Certificate program

 Presenter: Justin Scott-Coe, Monte Vista Water District

This workshop, taking place over the course of two half-days, will help leaders conduct an overall organizational assessment of their district, provide a primer on strategic planning, and instruct on the best practices for leadership development and team building. We will also explore how to handle inevitable change in your organization, implement effective performance management strategies, promote employee engagement, and handle conflict resolution, including managing disputes and fostering an environment of effective collaboration.

Wednesday and Thursday, October 1 and 2, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. each day

$265 CSDA Member
$530 Non-member

Need help paying for registration? Click here to apply for a scholarship.

Virtual Workshop: HR Boot Camp for Special Districts

Qualifies toward the completion of the SDLF Essential Leadership Skills Certificate program

Presenter: Jack Hughes, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore

Are you prepared to face the important HR trends that are emerging now? CSDA is pleased to present an HR Boot Camp that will cover cutting-edge information that HR professionals at special districts need to know. Divided into four segments: hiring, performance evaluation, employee discipline, and legal trends, this course is designed to maximize your time and give you substantive information you can use at your district right away.

Wednesday and Thursday, October 16 and 17, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. each day

$190 SDRMA Member
$265 CSDA Member
$530 Non-member

Co-Sponsored by 

Eligible for SDRMA Credit Incentive Points. 

Need help paying for registration? Click here to apply for a scholarship.

In-Person Workshop: Overview of Special District Laws

Qualifies toward the completion of the SDLF Essential Leadership Skills Certificate program

 Presenter: Derek Cole, Cole Huber, LLP

Part One: Board Governance – Brown Act, Ethics, Elections and Vacancies - an overview of board governance issues. The presentation will address Brown Act requirements, including agendas, closed sessions, committees, voting, teleconferencing, and recording of open meetings. The presentation also includes an overview of public service ethics laws, including conflicts of interest, Government Code section 1090, and related subjects.  The presentation will also provide an overview of district elections and filling elected positions that become vacant.  The discussion of these subjects will include analysis of recent legal developments and new laws as well as practical tips based on the speaker’s many years of experience advising local agencies.

Part Two: Transparency – Public Records, ADA Website Requirements, and Audits - review compliance issues related to the California Public Records Act (“CPRA”). It will also address California website compliance that integrates the CPRA, Brown Act, and addresses Section 508 ADA Compliance, State Controller Reports, Healthcare District Website, and Open Data.  The presentation will also address special district audit requirements.

Monday, November 3, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

$325 CSDA Member
$650 Non-member

Price includes lunch.

Need help paying for registration? Click here to apply for a scholarship.

Virtual Workshop: Financial Management for Special Districts

Qualifies toward the completion of the SDLF Essential Leadership Skills Certificate program

Presenters:
Justin Williams, MUN CPAs
Paula Hansen, Southgate Recreation & Park District
Rick Wood, CSDA

Money, money, money…it’s on everyone’s mind and on your job description. Make sure you understand the full scope of financial information affecting special districts today. From budgeting and internal controls to long term planning and capital improvement plans. Attendees will get the information they need to begin to assess the overall financial health of their district and steps needed to make positive changes.

Wednesday and Thursday, November 5 and 6, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. each day

$190 SDRMA Member
$265 CSDA Member
$530 Non-member 

Co-sponsored by 

Need help paying for registration? Click here to apply for a scholarship.

Leadership Lessons with Human Resource Professionals

Leadership is not just for those at the top – it’s a skill that can elevate individuals across all job levels. Join us for engaging sessions where we’ll explore essential leadership principles tailored to a variety of District roles. Hear insights on cultivating leadership qualities that foster collaboration, drive results, and empower growth at each stage of your career.

No matter your current position, these sessions will provide actionable strategies to strengthen your leadership presence. Topics include communication techniques, decision-making, team motivation, and adapting leadership style to different situations.

Take this opportunity to elevate your career and inspire those around you – because leadership is for everyone!

Please note this course is offered for informational purposes only and does not qualify for a certificate.

Friday, November 7, 2025
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Free to all.

Sponsored by the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF).

Virtual Workshop: Supervisory Skills for the Public Sector

Qualifies toward the completion of the SDLF Essential Leadership Skills Certificate program

Presenter: Michael Grabow, CPS HR Consulting

This course for supervisors will discuss and explore the supervisory skills necessary to work with people in the public sector environment. The course will cover what is expected of a supervisor; how to monitor and evaluate employees; and how to coach, mentor, and motivate employees. Through interactive exercises and engaging dialogue you will learn how to create effective, productive and successful teams; describe the various roles of a supervisor; understand the Emotional Maturity Continuum and how to apply it in the workplace; list best practices for effective performance management; practice defining performance standards; explain the GROW model of coaching; identify what motivates people; list strategies for boosting motivation 

Wednesday and Thursday, November 12 and 13, 2025
9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. each day

 

Virtual Workshop: SDLA Module 4 Board's Role in Human Resources

Presenter: Oliver Yee, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore

This session will teach participants how to determine the Human Resource (HR) health of their district and what areas to focus on as a board and individual governing official including:  

• Identifying the board’s role in human resources. 
• Recognizing HR red flags and positive indicators. 
• Developing and maintaining essential HR policies. 
• Covering confidentiality and legal liabilities.
• Evaluating the general manager.

Wednesday and Thursday, December 3 and 4, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. each day

$265 CSDA Member
$530 Non-member

Eligible for SDRA Credit Incentive Points

Need help paying for registration? Click here to apply for a scholarship.