State Neighborhood Conference is Sept. 22-23

I’m looking forward to attending my 4th Virginia Statewide Neighborhood Conference (VSNC) this week.  Every year it moves around the Commonwealth.  I attended others in McLean, Richmond and Roanoke.  This time it’s in Williamsburg.  Check it out at www.vsnc.org.

Why attend?  Well, I figure if I’m going to be out knocking on doors, planning cleanups, contributing to block parties, giving presentations at community centers and writing this blog, I better know something of what I’m talking about.  And I like to bring back the success stories I see and hear about and share them here at home. 

As the VSNC website says, “The conference provides an excellent opportunity for communities from across the Commonwealth of Virginia to come together and share their knowledge, experience and vision on how to make Virginia’s neighborhoods the neighborhoods of choice. While each neighborhood is unique, all neighborhoods statewide face very similar issues and challenges ranging from the basics of organizing to addressing the complicated issues of public safety.”

Also, “Each year the conference is attended by a diverse group of grass roots neighborhood leaders and youth, non-profit and government staff, and others working in the field of neighborhood development.”

So I’m driving a carpool there Thursday with the new AmeriCorps VISTA members who are leading the revitalization of Georgetown South.  I’m looking forward to getting to know them.  When we get there, I’ll set up my homemade display boards to share what we’ve been doing in the City of Manassas.  I plan to participate in something called “Porch Talks,” and eat and socialize with the others.  On Friday, I’ll attend two workshop seminars, and then I’ll present one of my own, about “Getting the Good News Out about Your Neighborhood.”   And then we’ll drive back after the closing reception.

All I know is, I’ve come to recognize some great people around this state who are making a difference in their communities.  I’ve met mayors and poets and motivators and bicycle advocates and some outstanding youth.  If you want to step out of your neighborhood, stretch your knowledge and meet some great neighborhood activists from around the state, consider attending – even if it’s just a day trip. 

Maybe one day Manassas will host the state conference.