SVL/City of Sunnyvale

Proposed Joint Venture for Leadership Training for Civic Engagement

STRUCTURE

As independent organizations, the City of Sunnyvale and SVL will work together to implement introductory leadership training for civic engagement. This training will be offered to the broad Sunnyvale community with the goals of engaging community members and developing diverse (age, ethnicity, income level, etc) community leadership. Oversight of the project will be by a four-person steering committee, with two representatives from each agency. If approved, and as the project evolves, the steering committee will have flexibility to adjust classes as needed within the goals identified and the cost structure outlined below. The steering committee will meet bi-annually, or more often, as needed. Termination of the project by either party would require 30 days written notification.

SVL will contribute:

• Curriculum development of the leadership skills classes
• Volunteers to teach the leadership skills classes
• 501c3 status for fund raising
• Use of the SVL web site for marketing

The City of Sunnyvale will contribute:

• Curriculum development of the City-information classes
• Staff or volunteers to teach City-information classes
• Facilities for teaching all classes
• Use of the City's web site, Quarterly Report, and other existing low or no cost venues for marketing

Resources for other functions, such as administrative support and project management, will be provided jointly.

MISSION

The mission of this project is to provide an introduction to leadership training for civic engagement to the broader Sunnyvale community.

SERVICES

The mission will be accomplished by providing brief, introductory-level classes in two general areas: leadership skills development, and how the City of Sunnyvale works. These two broad areas are further defined to include the following classes:

1. Goal setting

• Understand basics of leading a group with a common interest or concern to set goals and objectives

2.  Presenting your view to government

• Understand basics of how to present your views persuasively to government

3. Impacting City decisions

• Understand how to affect the outcome of a pending City decision.

4.  Conflict Resolution

• Basic understanding of constructive conflict, how it can add value to discussion, and how to identify and prevent destructive conflict

5.  City of Sunnyvale's government structure and legislative components

• Understand how the council/management form of government works with a charter city.

6.  City Services

• Basic understanding of the role of local government and knowledge of services Sunnyvale provides

7.  City Budget Systems

• Basic understanding of the City's revenues sources and expenses

8.  Current Issues Facing Sunnyvale

• Understanding of current "hot" issues including differing perspectives, and "next steps" for involvement

The classes will be paired in two-hour sessions. Each session will include one leadership skill-building class, and one City-information class. There will be four sessions in each series.

It is anticipated that there will be one series per year. While the sessions will be marketed as a series, and a discount will be offered for the full series, there will be no requirement to sign up for the full series. No session will be a pre-requisite for any other. The City of Sunnyvale will be responsible for the development and delivery of the "How the City Works" classes, and SVL will be responsible for the "Leadership Skills Development" classes.

BENEFITS TO CITY OF SUNNYVALE AND SVL

City of Sunnyvale

Educating community members about government issues pays many dividends to local governments and communities. Democratic principles are based on a philosophy of self-governance by an informed and active citizenry. Local governments depend on citizen input for high quality decision-making that reflects community values. Involved and engaged citizens contribute to the ability of a community or city to address its challenges. Additionally, engaged citizens become candidates for elected leadership positions, become volunteers with local community groups or civic associations, and become respected community voices. Civic education that builds community members' leadership skills and their understanding of local government, leverages a community's human capital.

SVL

SVL (formerly Sunnyvale Leadership Development Institute) is a private non-profit organization that delivers Leadership Sunnyvale, a nine-month leadership training program that provides community members with in-depth information on leadership skills, with a focus on the Sunnyvale community. City staff are already involved in delivering some of the classes offered through this program. The introductory classes proposed here will assist SVL in broadening their outreach, and contacting community members who may not otherwise be exposed to the Leadership Sunnyvale program.

THE MARKET

Customers

Currently, there is no highly accessible, entry-level training for community members interested in learning how local government works in Sunnyvale, or in developing their leadership skills. In the focus groups that were conducted last summer, participants indicated a strong interest in leadership/civic education that is low cost, with a short time commitment.

The primary target market for these training sessions is community members (both residents and business owners) who have little or no familiarity with local government. This target market includes both longtime and new community members. While Sunnyvale's high immigrant population (41% according to the 2000 census) might indicate a special need for civic engagement education, it is only a partial indication. Many individuals (both immigrants and not) know little about local government and the impact it has on their lives. Additionally, longtime residents may not have had time for community engagement due to job demands, the high cost of living that leaves little time for "discretionary" civic activities, family responsibilities, or just plain not knowing where to a begin. For all community members, these seminars will provide an introduction to civics and community involvement that is welcoming, accessible, and requires only a very limited time and money commitment.

Marketing Plan

News releases

KSUN slides

Council meeting announcements

City and SVL web sites

Group presentations

Information distribution to potential partners

City of Sunnyvale Quarterly Report

Direct e-mail via CONNECT database

Utility bill stuffers

Brochure

Association outreach -- to community, cultural associations, homeowner, neighborhood, faith based, parent/teacher, mobile home park, and professional associations

Flyers -- distribute at Library, Chamber of Commerce, Community Center, Columbia Neighborhood Center, Senior Center, special events

Potential Partners

The committee identified the following organizations that would be approached for potential partnership on this project. Partnership options might include sharing outreach mechanisms, teaching, or other areas of mutual benefit:

• De Anza-Foothill College
• Fremont Union High School District Adult Education
• Community associations
• Other cities, such as the City of Cupertino
• Silicon Valley Manufacturing. Group

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

As noted in the Projected Financial Forecast below, the estimated net cost of delivering one full series (a full series includes four two-hour Leadership Development Skills/City University 101 sessions) is $1,160. Costs may be mitigated by use of volunteers as trainers where appropriate. The costs would be shared equally by City of Sunnyvale and SVL. The City would assist SVL in developing grant proposals to cover the costs of the program to SVL and to the City as appropriate.

One-time estimated start-up costs of $1,700 are also identified. These costs include materials development, curriculum development, and recruiting trainers, and would also be shared equally by the City and SVL.

Fees will be charged for the class, but to ensure accessibility for those participants who cannot afford the fee, an "in lieu" option will be to donate two hours of service to SVL or the City.

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

If approved, implementation of this project will be in five phases as noted below:

Phase I Funding and Curriculum Development
July 2004 - January 2005

Seek grant funding to cover SVL costs, and as appropriate City of Sunnyvale costs. Curriculum development will also begin, with pilot series tentatively scheduled for April 2005.

Phase II Marketing
January - March 2005

Develop marketing and registration materials

Phase III Delivery of Pilot Series
April - May 2005

A pilot series will be conducted to a minimum of 15 students. There will be no charge for the pilot, as this is part of development. Note: Individual classes that are not ready for delivery (whether due to funding, staff resources, etc.) will be cancelled.

Phase IV Evaluation, Modification, and Development of Final
June 2005 Series

Phase V Ongoing delivery of series.
FY2005-06

EVALUATION

The series is planned to be delivered annually, or as demand and resources allow. The effectiveness of this training in developing civic engagement will be evaluated by performance measures in the Neighborhood and Community Outreach Program, as part of the City's annual performance review. Additionally, staff will return to Council with a performance report in the first quarter of FY2006/07.