The California Stewardship Network (CSN) recently met in Santa Rosa for its bi-annual CSN Exchange. On the agenda for this edition were a number of discussions, a local tour, and more!
The event was generously hosted at the Sonoma Clean Power Customer Center, which serves as a clean energy demonstration site and support center for Sonoma County residents.
CSN partners held peer-to-peer discussions on the topics of governance and organizational development. These discussions helped foster shared learning and best practices among CSN partners.
Guest presenters also delivered information related to a local ballot initiative meant to generate public resources for childcare and children’s health priorities.
An additional presentation was provided to CSN members by Apprenti regarding talent pipeline development and the value of apprenticeships.
The CSN enjoyed a SMART train ride from Santa Rosa to Petaluma to tour the Santa Rosa Junior College Construction Training Center before enjoying an evening reception and dinner at Life on Earth Art, a local artist and community hub focused on uniting people to create art as a platform for global healing.
Says Alysia Bell, President, UNITE-LA and CSN Co-Chair, “In ten years, I am certain that I will be able to credit evolutions of triple bottom line work in Los Angeles to the valuable content sharing and relationship building made possible through the California Stewardship Network.”
According to Genelle Taylor Kumpe, CEO, Fresno Business Council, “The CSN exchange was some of the most valuable time I’ve spent with the group to date. I learned so much from each of the members. It’s comforting to spend time with like-minded individuals in various regions that have the same goals of making our communities a better place for the future.”
Results from the 2024 CSN Executive Committee election were also revealed in Santa Rosa. The 2024-2025 CSN Executive Committee will consist of the following regional partners:
- Co-Chair: Michelle Decker, President & CEO, Inland Empire Community Foundation
- Co-Chair: Alysia Bell, President, UNITE-LA
- Vice Chair: Oscar Chavez, President & CEO, Community Foundation Sonoma County
- Vice Chair: Tahra Goraya, President & CEO, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership
- At-Large Member: Evan Schmidt, CEO, Valley Vision
- At-Large Member: Tim Kelley, President & CEO, Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation
Thank you to our CSN partners in the Sonoma County region—Community Foundation Sonoma County, Sonoma County Economic Development Board, and North Bay Leadership Council—for planning such a compelling and valuable CSN Exchange!
