How to Get Involved
Welcome to the League of California Cities!
Local city officials are the reason California's cities are resilient and diverse communities where our residents can live, work, and play. Cal Cities is here to help ensure you are the best city official you can be for your community.
To help you get started with Cal Cities, the resources below outline your membership benefits and how you can engage with and get the most out of your membership.
Learn More About Cal Cities
Membership and Benefits
Get access to unmatched advocacy, updates about the latest policy issues, cutting-edge professional development, and more.
Members' Roadmap
New to Cal Cities or want to get the most from your membership? We’ve created a roadmap to help you get started.
2024 Advocacy Priorities
We stand ready to work collaboratively with the state and federal governments and other stakeholders to accomplish our strategic advocacy priorities.
News
The League of California Cities engages with city officials through a variety of channels to keep them informed on the issues that matter most to cities.
Western City Magazine
Dive deeper into big policy issues and trends and receive practical ideas for city officials in the monthly digital Western City magazine.
Cal Cities Delivers
Cal Cities delivers major victories for cities year after year – protecting local control, securing billions of dollars in new funding, and preserving existing city resources.
Get Involved
Departments
Functioning as professional societies with educational and networking opportunities, municipal departments play an essential role in forming Cal Cities policy and programs. Each department is represented on the Cal Cities’ board of directors and policy committees.
Regional Divisions
Representing virtually every city and town in California, Regional Divisions are at the core of our advocacy efforts. City officials — both elected and career — help develop region-specific programs and carry out grassroots activities that support chosen legislative, regulatory, and ballot measure goals.
Caucuses
Caucuses advocate for equitable state policies within Cal Cities’ internal committees and departments, ensure that the unique needs of their respective communities are responded to, and promote the advancement of officials from traditionally marginalized communities.
Coastal Cities Group
Composed of 61 cities located within California's coastal zone, the Coastal Cities Group (CCG) collaborates on sea level rise mitigation efforts, land use regulations, and other issues of mutual interest.
Rural City Information Exchange
Rural communities often face different challenges than their urban counterparts and, even when the issues are similar, the solutions can differ dramatically.
Policy Committees
City officials actively debate, shape, and steer Cal Cities’ policy-making process and advocacy efforts. Over 400 officials collectively add their expertise and guidance to Cal Cities through one of seven policy committees.
Advocacy Tools
Cal Cities provides up-to-date information about the legislative process, lobbying, and which bills are scheduled for hearings. Hone your advocacy skills by diving into our Advocacy Tools.
Mission, Vision, and Beliefs
Our mission is to expand and protect local control for cities through education and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for all Californians. Our vision is to be recognized and respected as the leading advocate for the common interests of California's cities. Learn more about Cal Cities' core beliefs.
Mayors and Council Members Academy
January 24-26, 2024
Monterey Marriott
350 Calle Principal, Monterey, CA
Thank you for joining the League of California Cities for the 2024 Mayors and Council Members Academy in Monterey!
Whether you’re a new mayor or city council member, or you’ve been serving your community for years, this academy is for you. The academy covers the legal, financial, and practical fundamentals to your job as an elected city official. Just as vital, you’ll have opportunities to foster relationships with your peers. Sessions also include an update on key legislative issues and an overview of your Cal Cities services.
The academy took place Jan. 24-26 at the Monterey Marriott, allowing more than 200 mayors and council members from across the state to explore current topics of importance and engage in networking opportunities.
Save the date for the next academies on Jan. 22-24, 2025 at the Sheraton Grand in Sacramento, and Jan. 29-31 at the Delta Hotel in Garden Grove.
For questions, please contact event program manager, Kayla Boutros.
Please see our event and meeting policies.
Academy Information
View the 2024 Mayors and Council Members program here.
2024 Academy Session Materials
- Resource Guide
- Harassment Prevention Training for Supervisors and Officials (AB 1661)
- Financial Responsibilities and City Revenues
- Social Media Digital Communications And Civic Engagement
- Your Legal Powers and Obligations
- Policy Role in Land Use Planning
- Understanding Public Service Ethics Laws and Principles: AB 1234 Training
- Your Cal Cities and How to Use It
- Developing an Effective City Council and Manager Team - Key to Good Governance and City Success
- Effective Advocacy and Key City Issues
Previous Academy Session Materials
- Resource Guide
- Developing an Effective Council and City Manager Team The Key to Good Governance and City Success
- Effective Advocacy and Key City Issues
- Harassment Prevention Training for Supervisors and Officials (AB 1661)
- Policy Role in Land Use Planning
- Social Media Digital Communications and Civic Engagement
- Understanding Public Service Ethics Laws & Principles AB 1234 Training
- Your Cal Cities and How to Use it
- Your Legal Powers and Obligations
- New Mayors and Council Members Academy Resource Guide
- Cal Cities Annual Report 2021
- Developing an Effective City Council and City Manager Team: Key to Good Governance and City Success
- Effective Advocacy and Key City Issues
- Policy Role in Land Use Planning
- Social Media, Digital Communications, and Civic Engagement
- Your Legal Powers and Obligations; Open Government and Conflicts of Interest
Cal Cities by the Numbers
476 Member Cities
57 Board Members
16 Regional Divisions
10 Municipal Departments
5 Diversity Caucuses
Cal Cities Bylaws
Cal Cities staff, boards, departments, finances, committees, and divisions are governed by an extensive set of bylaws.
FPPC Compliance
The League of California Cities is a “publicly funded nonprofit organization” for purposes of Government Code section 84222.5. This statute imposes several requirements, including posting Cal Cities’ FPPC ballot measure campaign filings on its website.