The Governance requirement must be fulfilled within the past 5 years for any new Board Members, GM, and or Executive Staff. If the district’s Board and staff have remained the same since their last renewal, they do not need to complete this requirement again.
*Districts with boards larger than 7 need at least a majority of total board members completing this training requirement.
Option #1
Attend ANY module of the Special District Leadership Academy (virtual or in-person in 2026)
Virtual Workshop: SDLA Module 1: Governance Foundations
Wednesday and Thursday, February 19th & 20th, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day
Register
Virtual Workshop: SDLA Module 2: Setting Direction/Community Leadership
Wednesday and Thursday, April 2nd & 3rd, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day
Register
Virtual Workshop: SDLA Module 3: Board’s Role in Finance
Wednesday and Thursday, September 17th & 18th, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day
Register
- Virtual Workshop: SDLA Module 1: Governance Foundations: Wednesday and Thursday, February 11 and 12, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day
- Virtual Workshop: SDLA Module 2: Setting Direction / Community Leadership: Wednesday and Thursday, March 4 and 5, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day
- Workshop: SDLA Module 1: Governance Foundations, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Sacramento
- Virtual Workshop: SDLA Module 3: Board’s Role in Finance: Wednesday and Thursday, September 2 and 3, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day
- Virtual Workshop: SDLA Module 4: Board’s Role in Human Resources: Wednesday and Thursday, December 9 and 10, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day
- Workshop: SDLA Module 1: Governance Foundations, Monday, August 24, 2026, in Palm Desert (a pre-conference workshop)
Register
OR
In-Person Workshop: SDLA Module 1: Governance Foundations
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Hilton Sacramento Arden West, 2200 Harvard Street, Sacramento, CA 95815
Register
In-Person Workshop: SDLA Module 1: Governance Foundations
Monday, August 25, 2025, in Monterey (a pre-conference workshop)
Register
Option #2
Attend the Special District Leadership Academy Conference (SDLA):
May 11 – 14, 2026 in San Diego, CA
July 19 – 22, 2026 in San Rafael, CA
September 13 – 16, 2026 in San Luis Obispo, CA
*Completing all four modules of the Special District Leadership Academy, either as standalone workshops OR completing the first-time attend track of the Special District Leadership Academy counts toward the Certificate in Special District Governance, which is also a requirement for higher levels of District of Distinction
Register
Option #3
Can’t make it to one of CSDA’s scheduled governance training? Would your district prefer internal training at your location? We have you covered! With CSDA’s “Governance to Go” program, you can complete an online request for training that works for you and your district. All of our governance training options also meet the requirement for six hours of governance training for the District of Distinction program from the Special District Leadership Foundation. Details, fees, and request forms are available here: Workshop Requests - California Special Districts Association (csda.net)
Option #4
Other courses may qualify as well, however, will need to be submitted for review by SDLF.