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.
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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.
Annual Conference and Expo
October 16-18, 2024
Long Beach Convention Center
300 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA
The 2024 League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo at the Long Beach Convention Center, Oct. 16-18, features general sessions, workshops, and networking events. The conference attracts hundreds of leaders from all sections of city government, including mayors, council members, city managers, city clerks, city attorneys, fiscal officers, and other city staff.
This year’s conference will offer educational and innovative leadership sessions across a variety of formats, with a roster of more than 100 speakers. Change is constant in our cities, and these sessions will support city leaders by equipping them with the latest knowledge, resources, and tools to advance their communities and assist officials in their daily roles and operations within their city.
For questions about registration, please contact our registrar, Megan Dunn. For questions about becoming an exhibitor, please contact Amy Wade. For all other questions, please contact Education and Events Manager, Christina George .
Conference Information
Click here to view the 2023 Annual Conference and Expo program.
- Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis
- Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis - McChristian
- A Local Agency's Guide to HCD's Housing Accountability Unit
- A Tale of Two Cities Disparities in Mental Health
- Adapting Main Street for a Changing Retail Landscape
- After the Storm Lessons Learned from the California Storms
- AI in Governance- Opportunities and Ethical Considerations
- Assets and Opportunities Surplus Land Act 101
- Black Health and Wellness Healthcare Services within Communities of Color
- Building Americas Greenest City Hall
- Building in Economically Challenging Times
- Building Mobile Crisis Response Teams - Linkins
- Building Mobile Crisis Response Teams - Planck and Shyne
- California Cannabis Seven Years After Legalization
- California Cannabis- Seven Years After Legalization - Hillsman
- California Economic Forecast A Look Ahead
- CalPERS Funding Levels, Projections and Strategic Update
- Case Study Response to Homelessness in the City of Rialto - Kling
- Centralized Customer Relations
- City Clerks Workshop- 2024 Elections Trends, Legislation, and Practical Advice
- Connecting and Engaging to Make a Difference Mentoring Not Just Mangaging
- Connecting With Your Community Through Human-Centered Communication
- Cybersecurity Checklist - Kaufman
- DEI Recruitment at All Levels of Your Organization - Winney
- Enhancing Emergency Preparedness Through Whole Community Collaboration
- Fees! You Got ‘Em. How Do They Work Today - Colantuono
- Fees! You Got 'Em. How Do They Work Today - Seufert and Turner
- From Idea to Action Budgeting for Strategic Impact
- Harassment Prevention Training for Supervisors and Officials (AB 1661) (5)
- Hiring Future Local Leaders How to Attract Top Talent
- Homelessness to Housed How Cities Create and Leverage Strong Partnerships - Schneider
- Increasing Collaboration Between Local Governments and Utilities on Installing Infrastructure
- Introduction to the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System
- Managing Difficult Conversations with Constituents
- Minority Leaders Reshaping Local Government
- Navigating The New State Housing Laws
- One City, One Team Establishing Effective City Manager-Council Relations
- Opt In Why Cities Should Care About Digital Rights
- Reducing Wildfire Risk to Wildland-Urban Interface Communities
- Righting Wrongs Addressing Discrimination Against AAPIs
- Stop Hate How Local Elected Officials Can Combat Rising Hate Crimes and Hate Speech - Mei
- The Mayor Said What! Staying Ahead of the News
- The Joint Powers Act and its Utilization in California
- Understanding Public Service Ethics Laws and Principles (AB 1234)
- What about CSA’s and other Revenue Tools?
- What the Bleep!” Limits of Public Comment
- What the heck is a CSA?
MCLE Session Materials
Access the MCLE sessions agenda here.
Access the MCLE Evaluation form here.
Read speaker bios here.
Artificial Intelligence and the Practice of Law (MCLE Specialty Credit for Technology in the Practice of Law)
Speakers: Peter Lee, Martin Luther King Jr. Professor of Law, Director, Center for Innovation, Law, and Society, UC Davis School of Law
Matthew Slentz, Senior Counsel, Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley
Paper |
PowerPoint
General Municipal Litigation Update
Speakers: Pamela K. Graham, Senior Counsel, Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley
Meghan Wharton, Senior Counsel, Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley
Paper | PowerPoint
Meeting Disruptions, Workplace Violence Restraining Orders, and the Bane Act
Speakers: Jon R. di Cristina, Senior Counsel, Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley
Ryan Richardson, Chief Assistant City Attorney, Oakland
Paper | PowerPoint
Land Use and CEQA Litigation Update
Speaker: John Luebberke, Of Counsel, Herum Crabtree Suntag
Paper | PowerPoint
Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing – State and Federal Law
Speakers: Celeste Stahl Brady, Shareholder, Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth
Yolanda M. Summerhill, Assistant City Attorney, Newport Beach
Paper | PowerPoint
Case Study: A Capital City’s Approach to Unsheltered Community
Speakers: Emilio Camacho, Senior Deputy City Attorney, Sacramento
Aaron M. Israel, Senior Deputy City Attorney, Sacramento
Beau Parkhurst, Senior Deputy City Attorney, Sacramento
Paper | PowerPoint
Labor and Employment Litigation Update
Speakers: Geoffrey S. Sheldon, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Elizabeth Tom Arce, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Paper |
PowerPoint
CalPERS Legal Update, Emerging Issues, and Common Compliance Problems
Speakers: Steve M. Berliner, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Michael D. Youril, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Paper | PowerPoint
Municipal Tort and Civil Rights Litigation Update
Speakers: Jeremiah Johnson, Partner, ColeHuber
Neil Okazaki, Senior Deputy City Attorney / Constitutional Policing Advisor, Corona
Paper | PowerPoint
Pay to Play No More? Levine Act (SB1439)
Speakers: Robert Fabela, City Attorney, Anaheim
Amanda B. Freeman, Senior Deputy City Attorney, Fresno
Rebecca L. Moon, Senior Assistant City Attorney, Sunnyvale
Paper|
PowerPoint
Practicing Ethics (MCLE Specialty Credit for Legal Ethics)
Speaker: Valerie Silverman Massey, Chief Deputy City Attorney, Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer, San Diego
Paper | PowerPoint
- AB 602- An Essential Breakdown for Development Impact Fee Programs
- Advancing Empowerment in a Disadvantaged Community
- ARPA to General Fund- Leveraging Today’s Capital for Tomorrow’s Savings
- A Tale of Two Cities Disparities in Mental Health
- California's Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program
- CalPERS- Continuing on the Path to Sustainable Pensions
- Cannabis and Economic Development
- Cities for Workforce Health Grant Program- Lessons Learned for your Employee Wellness Program
- City Clerks Workshop- Fair Political Practices Commission- A Workshop for Filing Officers
- Climate Action Plans in Practice- San Leandro and Ontario Case Studies
- Community Capitals Policing- Rethinking Public Safety by Creating Healthy Communities
- Creating a Youth-Friendly City It’s Not Just About the Money
- Creating More Equitable and Resilient Communities
- Creative Funding Strategies for Infrastructure Renewal
- Creative Solutions to Reducing Homelessness
- Dealing With Deferred Maintenance
- Defending Institutions- Promoting Civic Debate & Rejecting Personal Attacks
- Ending Poverty in California Cities - Nagales
- EV Infrastructure at No Cost- Can’t Get Better Than That!
- Five Steps to Take Before Applying for Federal Infrastructure Funding
- Fixing Prop 47
- Going Green By 2025- Implementing SB 1383 in California Communities
- Harassment Prevention Training for Supervisors and Officials (AB 1661)
- How Bias-Free Technologies Can Play a Role in Reimagining Policing
- How To Be an Effective Partner During CEQA Tribal Consultation
- How to Stay Out of Trouble- Avoiding Council Chaos
- I'm Not in Charge- How to Get Things Done
- Infrastructure Recovery After Disaster- 2018 Camp Fire
- Keynote Address- The Future of California
- LED Streetlight Conversions- Benefits for the Environment and Your Budget
- Lessons Learned from the Most Destructive Fires in California History
- Making Equity Stick- City Charter Revisions and Other Systemic Changes
- On-Street Dining Risks- Managing Tensions Between Safety and Supporting Businesses
- Post-Pandemic Mentorship for Women
- Rural Retail- Making Your Community Competitive
- Scaling Up- Fostering Innovation Through Technology Pilot Projects
- SB 1383 Procurement and Opportunities
- Show me some RECOVERY
- Supporting Housing in Your Community through Policy, Finance and Communications
- Supporting Local Small Businesses to Raise Community Capital
- Surplus Land Act- Know the Impact Before You Transact
- The Joint Powers Act and its Utilization in California
- The Secrets to Building Tech Economies in Underestimated Cities
- Transgender Health Care
- Understanding Public Service Ethics Laws & Principles- AB 1234 Training
- What the Bleep!” Limits of Public Comment
MCLE Session Materials
Access the MCLE sessions agenda here.
Read speaker bios here.
Land Use and CEQA Litigation Update
Affordable Housing Covenants: Ensuring Continued Affordability
Gabrielle Janssens, Attorney, Goldfarb & Lipman
Paper | PowerPoint
The People’s Business: California Public Records Act Update
Practical Tips for Reviewing Public Works Contracts
Transferring and Financing Risk in Public Works Contracts
Lawyers’ Responses to Audit Letters: Law, Practice, and A Few Tips
Section 1090 Update: Davis v. Fresno, FPPC Opinions and Other Developments
Wireless Update: Shot Clocks, Deemed Granted Remedies and Fee Challenges
Municipal Tort and Civil Rights Litigation Update
Getting It Right: Best Practices in Responding to Government Claims
Labor and Employment Litigation Update
Elizabeth Tom Arce, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Paper | PowerPoint
Microaggresions vs. Dog Whistle: How to Differentiate and Investigate
General Municipal Litigation Update
Public Safety and Individual Rights in the Age of Firearms
So, You Say You Have Diversity?! Now What? (Specialty MCLE – Elimination of Bias)
Robert Lennox, Assistant City Manager, Carson
Sunny Soltani, City Attorney, Carson, Partner, Aleshire & Wynder
- A Practical Approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- An Out-of-the-Box Technique for Decision Making and Resident Involvement
- Attracting the Next Generation Workforce with Virtual Career Exploration
- Bold Action, Innovation During Fiscal Uncertainty, and Environmental Sustainability Case Studies
- Bridging Divides Tackling Polarization in Your Cities & Communities
- Building API Solidarity & Safe Communities
- California’s Drought: Can We Conserve Our Way Out?
- CalPERS Update: A Conversation with the CEO
- Cannabis- Perceptions vs. Reality
- Changing the Wildfire Prevention Paradigm
- City Finance Law and Elections Update
- Cybersecurity Risks and Cities Strategies to Address Escalating Threats
- Equity and Public Engagement Increasing Access and Building Trust
- Harassment Prevention Training for Supervisors and Officials (AB 1661)
- How Regional Cooperation Makes California Community Marketing Work Harder
- How to Create a More Inclusive Environment for LGBTQ+ People in Your City – Quinto
- How to Improve Public Safety Through Innovation
- Human-Centered Design and Why My City Should Care About It
- Introduction to Labor Relations for Elected Officials
- Level Up Your Leadership: Creating a Governance Culture of Civility and Purpose
- Municipal Data in Action
- Neighborhood Law Programs: Generate Revenue, Reduce Blight and Crime
- Post-COVID Retail Trends and Opportunities
- Ready, Set, Go! Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Outlook
- Roadmap to Advancing DEI in a Predominately White, Affluent Community
- Short-Term Rentals (STR): A Balanced Approach
- State and Local Roles in Building and Measuring Fiscal Resilience
- Stories of the Census: What It Says About California’s Future
- Tackling the Housing Crisis: The Role of Local Leaders
- The Road Ahead for Managing Rising Pension Costs
- Tools for Navigating Elected Officials Who Won't Follow the Rules
- Understanding Public Service Ethics Laws and Principles (AB 1234)
- Unprecedented Action Dignified Housing Delivered in Six Months – Ballard
- What Finance Professionals Need to Know about IT and Security
- Why Culture Curation Matters Now More Than Ever
2021 Annual Conference City Attorneys Programming Agenda
- 2020 Annual Conference & Expo Program
- Building a Virtual Emergency Operations Center - Lessons Learned from COVID-19 - Green
- Code Enforcement During a Pandemic Lessons Learned - Wright
- From Vision to Reality Lessons Learned in Complete Street Implementation - Kramer
- Harassment Prevention Training for Supervisors and Officials (AB 1661)
- Housing Law Update - Leishman
- Informing Through Crisis COVID-19’s Impact on Black Communities in California - Henry
- Integrating Lessons from Race and Trauma in Local Services Achieving Better Results at Lower Costs
- Is a Virtual Workforce our New Normal
- Is Your City Really Prepared for Rising Pension Costs - Meza
- Layoffs, Furloughs, & Concessions - Negotiating in Challenging Times - Brown
- Leadership in a Time of Uncertainty, Fear and Recovery
- Libraries Respond in Crisis and Beyond
- Local Government Apprenticeship & Workforce Strategies a Latino Caucus Perspective
- Local Government Apprenticeship and Workforce Strategies A Latino Caucus Perspective - Beltran
- Modern Emergencies How to incorporate digital communications into emergency plans - Cheng
- Placemaking & Community Branding That Leverages Your Natural Assets
- Placemaking & Community Branding That Leverages Your Natural Assets - Ketchum
- Rates, Policies and Reforms… How COVID-19 Will Impact CalPERS Employers - Hutchings
- Recovering From Ransomware - Hester
- Regional Partnership How to Address Homelessness Differently - Arrula
- Resetting Your Community Post COVID-19 - Ibarra
- Resetting Your Community Post-Covid 19 - Ambrose
- Scrap Your Fears About Food Waste Regulations Preparing for SB1383 - Enright
- Social Media & Government What Are the Rules of Engagement - Fox
- Talking Together About Housing in Burlingame Building Community Support
- Telecommuting Policies – Hot Topics & Key Issues to Consider - Yee
- Ten Years After the Bell Scandal-Are We More Ethical
- The Role of Local Governments in Adapting to Climate Change
- Think as an LGBTQ+ Executive Ally Enhancing your City’s Economic and Social Prosperity - Middleton
- Understanding Public Service Ethics Laws and Principles (AB 1234)
- What to Do When In-Person Engagement Isn't Possible - Stelmakhovych
- What You Need to Know About Municipal Revenues
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.