December 2019 Newsletter
WELL 2020 Annual Conference 2020 Registration Is Open!
WELL is convening its unique state-wide educational water conference for local elected officials throughout California on March 20-21, 2020, at the San Jose Marriott, 301 S Market St, San Jose, CA 95113. This is WELL’s eighth annual conference, and it is set to be better than ever before! WELL knows that local elected officials make important decisions that ensure clean, safe, and affordable drinking water for all, protect our natural resources, and bolster our local economies. The goal of the WELL 2020 Annual Conference is to provide elected officials with a better understanding of important water issues in order to maximize the positive impact they have in their communities. What local elected officials learn from this conference will help them work toward developing comprehensive, long-term water policies. We invite you to participate in this educational opportunity!
Each year, WELL aligns its Annual Conference with the United Nations’ World Water Day, scheduled for March 22, 2020. WELL is proud to support the UN’s World Water Day campaign for 2020, “Water and Climate Change.” That is why the WELL 2020 Annual Conference theme is “Climate Change and Political Climate Impacting California Water.”
Please fill out this form to register. Once you register, please contact Brianne Logasa, WELL Program Manager, at (323) 349-0661 to pay the registration fee and learn about payment options and hotel accommodations. Your conference attendance will be guaranteed once you pay the registration fee.
Registration fee for elected officials: $325
Registration fee for non-elected participants: $525
Limited partial scholarships are available for city council members, mayors, county supervisors, and school board members. Discounted lodging rates are available for elected water board officials and others.
For questions or assistance, please contact Brianne Logasa at (323) 349-0661 or by email at brianne@latinosforwater.org.
Link to register for the WELL 2020 Annual Conference: http://bit.ly/2020WELLConference.
Hot Springs and Hot Topics at the AD-4 Legislative Water Workshop!
The WELL team traveled to the city of Calistoga to co-host the Legislative Water Workshop on Friday, December 13th in partnership with State Assembly Member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (AD-4) and former WELLo and current WELL Advisory Board Member Irais Lopez-Ortega, Calistoga City Council Member. More than 30 leaders from across the region met to discuss water issues affecting Northern California. Workshop attendees comprised of elected officials from four counties, including Sonoma, Napa, Lake, and Yolo.
Dr. Samuel Sandoval Solis, Associate Professor at UC Davis, provided an overview of groundwater in the region with an amazing 3D demonstration. Grant Davis, General Manager at Sonoma Water, outlined the mechanics of water supply operations and reviewed opportunities for regional collaboration. Phil Miller, Deputy Director of Napa County Public Works, addressed sustainable groundwater practices and supply management strategies. Lastly, Joaquin Esquivel, Chair of the State Water Resources Control Board, discussed the role of the board and California’s current water policies.
WELL is grateful to these water experts for sharing their knowledge with local leaders as well as to the event moderator, Michael Kirn, Calistoga City Manager. We would also like to thank those who attended for their engagement in and their passion about their community’s water resources. For those who were not able to attend but want to know what was discussed, we live-streamed the entire event to WELL’s Facebook page. Also check out some photos from the workshop below!
Upcoming Legislative Workshops in Your Region!
Do you wish you had been able to attend the Legislative Water Workshop? No worries; there are other legislative water workshops in the works! These workshops are strategic opportunities for elected leaders to participate in focused discussions in their district about water issues impacting their region. Upcoming regional workshops will be held in Pico Rivera and Avenal. See more information below.
Otay Water District is hiring!
The Otay Water District is accepting applications for General Manager. The General Manager reports to the District’s Board of Directors and plans, directs, manages, and oversees the overall activities and operations of the District. The position leads and manages the administration of District business and functions, serves as a liaison to the Board of Directors, and represents the District in community affairs and events. The General Manager works at the pleasure of the Board under an employment contract. For the earliest consideration, submit your application materials by January 5, 2020. For information about the position, qualifications, benefits, and how to apply, visit: http://bit.ly/otay-gm.
Intern Highlight: Monica Cantoran
Meet Monica Cantoran, who started this month as WELL’s new Programs & Research Intern. Monica is from Downey, California and is a full-time student at the University of Southern California (USC), where she is majoring in environmental studies. She is interested in water resources and public policy.
We welcome Monica to WELL and are excited to see her translate her passion into great work for Latino leaders across the state!
Happy New Year from WELL!
With 2019 coming to a close, WELL would like to wish everyone a very happy new year. In 2019, WELL grew in size and increased the number of our quality programs, making our work even more valuable to elected leaders across this state. Photos of the highlights of WELL programs and events in 2019—a great year!—are shown below.
The Latinos for Water Quality and Policy Summit in Fresno, CA with Senator Anna Caballero.
The UnTapped 2019 WELLos in Coachella Valley, CA.
WELL with South Gate City Council at the AD-63 Legislative Workshop in South Gate, CA.
WELL UnTapped Graduation in June 2019 in Sacramento, CA.
In 2020, WELL promises to continue working toward its mission to educate local Latino elected officials about California water policies in order to promote timely and equitable actions that strive to develop a robust economy, healthy communities, and a resilient environment for all Californians.
Follow WELL on social media!
Follow WELL on social media to get current California water news and updates about WELL programs and events:
Water Education for Latino Leaders
@LatinosForWater
Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL) educates local Latino elected officials on California water policies to promote timely and equitable actions that strive to develop a robust economy, healthy communities, and a resilient environment for all Californians. Visit our website: www.latinosforwater.org.
