May 4, 2004

SUBJECT: Joint SVL/City Staff Recommendation for Leadership Training in Sunnyvale

In July 2003 Council directed City staff to work with SVL representatives to jointly develop a business plan for expanded leadership training in Sunnyvale. This report provides that proposal, detailing a plan for proposed introductory leadership training for civic engagement targeted at the broad Sunnyvale community. The proposed training would be administered jointly by SVL and the City of Sunnyvale, and would include topics on leadership skills development (led by SVL), and how the City of Sunnyvale government works (led by the City of Sunnyvale). The proposed classes are introductory classes designed to be low cost, brief, informative, and highly accessible.

In September 2002 City Council directed City staff to work with Sunnyvale Leadership Development Institute (now renamed SVL) to jointly develop a recommendation on further developing leadership capacity in the Sunnyvale community through leadership training.

A committee composed of SVL representatives and City staff was formed. The committee identified leadership training and civic engagement issues in Sunnyvale, identified appropriate training topics to address these issues, researched best practices, and conducted focus groups to help ascertain community members' interests. The committee presented its report to Council in July 2003. In that report, the committee recommended and Council approved the collaborative development of a proposal for community-based leadership training to include:

• SVL taking the lead in developing and delivering training on goal setting, presenting your view to government, how to impact city decisions, and conflict resolution;
• City staff taking the lead in developing and delivering training on the legislative process, Sunnyvale city services, the Sunnyvale budget system, and current issues facing Sunnyvale.
• Jointly conducting outreach to the broad Sunnyvale community to engage and develop broader and more diverse community leadership.

This Report to Council is the committee's proposal for joint leadership training as requested by Council.

7.2C.1 --Plan for and encourage an appropriate cross-section of the community when obtaining public input for policy decisions.

7.2C.1a Develop specific criteria and plans to obtain a diversity of representation in citizen participation activities.

7.2C.1b -- Encourage a diverse pool of applicants for membership on boards, commissions and task forces to reflect the appropriate cross-section of the community.

Citizen Involvement in Policy Making - 7.2C.4 -- Assist citizens and community organizations in seeking community-based solutions where appropriate, rather than those led and financed by government.

Community Involvement -- Community Self-reliance -- 7.2B.4b -- Encourage Grass-roots efforts to identify and develop solutions for community problems.

The proposed leadership training project plan is attached (Attachment A, SVL/City of Sunnyvale Proposed Joint Venture for Leadership Training for Civic Engagement). It includes a description of how the joint project will be organized and administered, its mission, the services (classes) that will be delivered, the benefits that will accrue to SVL and to the City, the project's target market, financial projections, and an evaluation plan.

If approved, the Office of Neighborhood and Community Services, as part of the Community Outreach Program, would conduct this project. Development would begin in FY2004/05 with delivery of the pilot series beginning in April 2005.

There will be start-up costs to both SVL and the City of approximately $850, totaling $1,700. Additionally, total net operational costs of approximately $860 will be incurred each time the full program of four sessions is administered, which is anticipated to be once per year. These costs would also be shared by both organizations. These expenses, for civic engagement outreach, are included in the FY2004/05 Community Outreach Program budget.

Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda in public places, on the City’s web page, and the publication of the general business/public hearing items in the San Jose Mercury News.

1. Direct staff to implement the proposed plan fostering leadership: SVL/City of Sunnyvale Proposed Joint Venture for Leadership Training for Civic Engagement

2. Council directs staff to defer work on leadership training given the current budget environment.

3. Council accepts the report and considers staff and SVL's work completed.

4. Other direction as provided by Council.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends Alternative 1.

Prepared by:
Coryn Campbell
Manager, Neighborhood and Community Services
Office of the City Manager

Approved by:
Amy Chan
City Manager

A. SVL/City of Sunnyvale Proposed Joint Venture for Leadership Training for Civic Engagement