This year, Virginia Statewide Neighborhood Conference, Inc. (VSNC) is proud to announce the City of Lynchburg, Virginia has accepted the invitation to co-host the 15th Annual Virginia Statewide Neighborhood  Conference on                   September 18-19, 2014 at the Holiday Inn Lynchburg located at 601 Main St. in Downtown Lynchburg.  Conference registration fee of $75.00 includes four meals, all conference activities, workshops, and receptions. Non-conference registrants must pay $25.00 per meal. Early registration deadline is September 1st.  Late registration deadline is September 5th which incurs a fee of $85.00.  

The Virginia Statewide Neighborhood Conference (VSNC) 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.

Strong neighborhoods are the building blocks of a healthy community and healthy communities are the social and economic backbone of the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Each year the conference is attended by a diverse group of grassroots neighborhood leaders and youth, non-profit and government staff and others working in the field of neighborhood development.

The annual Virginia Statewide Neighborhood Conference provides attendees with the knowledge and tools they need to create vibrant neighborhoods. Conference attendees from across our Commonwealth and neighboring states will be provided with educational workshops, motivational speakers, youth activities, networking opportunities and an awards ceremony recognizing those volunteers who have invested their time and energy toward improving the quality of life in their neighborhoods....the places we all call home!

Virginia Statewide Neighborhood Conference, Inc. (VSNC) is a 501c3 grassroots organization created to serve as a forum for the sharing of experiences and knowledge that strengthens a cooperative working relationship among citizens, municipality staff members, representatives of the private sector, and elected officials for the strengthening of our towns, cities, and counties through their neighborhoods. VSNC achieves this broad objective by partnering with municipalities across our Commonwealth to produce the annual Virginia Statewide Neighborhood Conference. VSNC also plays an important role in helping to create strong and healthy neighborhoods for people of  all ages, lifestyles and incomes to live, work, visit and play.

 This conference provides an opportunity for neighborhoods and communities from across the Commonwealth to share their knowledge, experience and vision on how to make Virginia’s communities and neighborhoods, the neighborhoods of choice. Established features of the conference include opening and closing events, speakers, neighborhood awards program, informational and mobile workshops, networking events, exhibits, and other community-oriented activities. 

Conference Forms/ Applications:

Call for Presenters Request for Proposals (RFP) 

Award Program Project of the Year Statewide Recognition 

Sponsorship, Promotional Opportunities Exhibit Application

Lynchburg Scholarship Donor Form and Recipient Application

Volunteer Form

Lynchburg Media Release Form

• City of Lynchburg Virginia www.lynchburgva.gov/vsnc2014

• Virginia Statewide Neighborhood Conference Inc. www.vsnc.org

• Holiday Inn Downtown  Ph: 434-528-2500  Web: www.bit.ly/VSNC-Hotel

Contact Information for:

City of Lynchburg and Virginia Statewide Neighborhood Conference Inc. :

City of Lynchburg 

Dana Horne

Residential Rental Inspection Program Administrator /Code Compliance Inspector

Community Development Department Inspections 

900 Church Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504

TEL: 434-455-3922    FAX: 434-845-7630

E-MAIL: dana.horne@lynchburgva.gov • www.lynchburgva.gov

Virginia Statewide Neighborhood Conference Inc.

Virginia Statewide Neighborhood Conference Inc.

P.O. Box 6303, Roanoke, VA 24017

(540) 342-2763

www.vsnc.org

VSNC Tax ID #26-2826552

More Information about Mr. Anwar Saleem: www.bit.ly/Saleem and www.vsnc.org

 Mr. Anwar Saleem http://www.vsnc.org/?id=130 

 Dr. Basil I Gooden http://www.vsnc.org/?id=129 

2014 Conference Program Schedule

Arrival Day 1: 

Thursday, September 18th

Sign In Registration 

♦ 10:30am - 7:00pm    Lobby

Welcome Luncheon  

Welcome Remarks 

• Mayor of Lynchburg

​Keynote Speaker

• Dr. Basil I Gooden Appointed by President Obama State Director USDA-Rural Development, Richmond, VA

​Break / Visit Exhibits    

Workshop Session 1     

S1-A Grant Writing: Because Sometimes You Need Money To Do Things: Workshop will discuss giving trends; grant writing basics, how to find grants and funding opportunities to support your initiatives.

S1-B “How to Improve the Emotional and Mental Health of Your Neighborhood”: Workshop will focus on how a healthy neighborhood responds to the unexpected or undesirable presence of an individual or group of individuals different from themselves.

 S1-C Partner with Your Housing Funder: Session will provide information on VHDA programs and other federal/state/private resources in addressing revitalization needs.

S1-D Neighborhood Planning Best Practices: Lessons from the Strategic Investment Area: This workshop will use a case study to discuss the dos and don’ts of community engagement, identify and engage a variety of stakeholder groups and steps to create and implement a viable neighborhood plan. 

Youth Cafe' Session 1   

Youth Café Being Your Best You: Learn tips to maximize the greatness that is on the inside of you. Define barriers to success and learn strategies to overcome barriers. Make a difference in your home, school, community and nation.

Break / Visit Exhibits     

♦ 3:15pm-3:30pm

Workshop Session 2      

♦ 3:30pm-5:00pm

S2-A Creating the Ideal Neighborhood: Participants will experience hands on activities to take back to their neighborhoods to foster positive dialogue to create change.

 S2-B Help...My Neighborhood Meetings are Losing Members!: Learn how to maximize your meeting effectiveness for a stronger, more vibrant organization that increases membership.

S2-C Leadership Lessons Learned from "Leaning In": How to exercise leadership in making neighborhoods better places to live, work and play. Learning how and when to “lean in” is an art, not science.

S2-D Why Storm Water Management Matters to You: Learn how storm water affects the community, neighborhoods and lives from polluted streams and drinking water to flooding and erosion. What should concern us and what can be done about it?

Youth Cafe' Session 2    

Youth Café Young Entrepreneurship, The Commerce of Tomorrow: Panelist will share insights on starting and operating businesses, some dos and don’ts and musts of setting up a foundation for success in the business world.

Break / Visit Exhibits      

Masquerade Ball             

Welcome reception with heavy hors d'oeuvresWelcome reception with heavy  hor d' oeuvres and entertainment.  “Masquerade” theme with masks giveaway’s, and costume on your own. Photo booth (Selfie’s’) with props will be available. 

Entertainment  : DJ  ED

A Gentle Reminder The 15th Annual Statewide Neighborhood Conference events and workshops sessions begins from 7:45am–5:00pm opening with  a welcome breakfast; features adult and youth mobile workshops, one onsite workshop,an award luncheon, two concurrent adult workshop sessions  and one youth cafe workshops, and a closing ceremony. There is a lot to cover, so each event/session begins promptly. Event/session/tour will begin seating  15 minutes prior to the scheduled  start time. 

Award Program Project of the Year Statewide Recognition 

Sponsorship, Promotional Opportunities Exhibit Application

Lynchburg Scholarship Donor Form and Recipient Application

Volunteer Form

Lynchburg Media Release Form

Thanks to each sponsor and contributor for making the 15th Annual Virginia Statewide Neighborhood Conference an affordable possibility for neighborhoods and community advocates from across the Commonwealth.

Sponsors will be added on an ongoing basis. Your tax deductible support is welcomed.

Please call 434-455-3922.  To assist a Lynchburg local neighborhood individual with a scholarship donation. Please fill out form by clicking this link. 

Holiday Inn Downtown Lynchburg Virginia

                                                                   601 Main Street
                                                               Lynchburg, VA 24504                                                                                                                                 434-528-2500

 www.bit.ly/VSNC-Hotel

Make your hotel reservation 

By calling 434-528-2500 or www.bit.ly/VSNC-Hotel reference:

• “VA Statewide Neighborhood Conference” to receive this low conference rate.                Per Night Total $92.00 (Not Including taxes and fees).
• A major credit card or advance deposit will be required to guarantee all individual reservations.
• Adjoining rooms are available upon request at time of reservation.
• If conference attendees would like to begin or prolong their stay, the conference rate will  be extended.
• Check-in is at 3:00 pm and check-out is at 12:00 pm.
• Conference rate available until Sept. 1, 2014.
• Make your hotel reservation TODAY to guarantee your room.
• Cancellation policy: Reservations must be cancelled up to 6:00 pm day of check-in with no charge. Notice after 6:00 pm day of check-in will result in a penalty fee of theroom cost and tax being charged.

Conference registration fee of $75.00 includes four full meals, all conference activities, workshops, and receptions. Non-conference registrants must pay $25.00 per meal. Registration deadline is September 5th.

Early Bird Registration: Register Today

The registration cost for attending the one-and-a-half day conference is $75.00 before September 1, 2014.

Late Registration: Register Today

After September 1, 2014 registration increases to $85.00 until September 5, 2014 when registration closes.

On-site Registration: NO registrations will be accepted after the deadline or on site during the conference dates.

The registration information participants provide is used to generate conference name tags, tailor specific workshops, tally meal counts, organize mobile workshops and buses, and other conference administrative and event processes.

The registration fee includes all conference activities including workshops, meals, receptions and related events. Once registration is available, please read all instructions carefully to ensure your selections are documented correctly.

Please Note: Online registration conference payments will incur a small convenience fee. 

Individuals requiring paper registration forms- please mail completed registration form with check made payable to VSNC, postmarked by September 1, 2014.

Mail to:

Virginia Statewide Neighborhood Conference Inc.

P.O. Box 6303

Roanoke, Virginia 24017

540-342-2763

The conference registration fee is non-refundable.

Link

 Award Program Project of the Year Statewide Recognition Form and Instruction

Arrival Day 2: 

Friday, September 19th

Sign In Registration 

♦ 7:00am - 1:00pm   Lobby

 Welcome Breakfast  

♦ 7:45am-9:30am

Welcome Remarks 

• Vice-Mayor of Lynchburg

​Keynote Speaker

• Mr. Anwar Saleem, 2013 Winner of Great American Main Street Award for ‘H’ Street  Urban Renewal. 

Mobile Workshop Session 3 ~ Boarding Buses

♦ 9:30am- 9:45am

Mobile Workshop Session 3

♦ 9:45am-12:00pm

S3-A (Mobile) Historic Neighborhood Tour: Experience historic neighborhoods in Daniels Hill, Garland Hill, Tinbridge Hill, and Whiterock Hill. An educational experience and unparalleled delight for lovers of history and architecture.

S3-B (Mobile) Downtown Neighborhood and Loft Tour: Downtown is a vital center for community life in Lynchburg. Tour downtown’s Arts and Cultural District, Lynchburg’s Main Street, and a explore downtown loft tour.

 S3-C (Mobile) Revitalization/Housing-Building Adaptive Re-Use Tour: Neighborhood revitalization is key to successful communities. Journey to see adaptive reuse buildings in neighborhood locations- Downtown, Daniels Hill, Tinbridge Hill, and Garland Hill.

 Youth Mobile Workshop Activity: Tour and activities in Lynchburg’s Downtown’s Arts and Cultural District.

Mobile Youth Workshop Session 3

♦ 9:45am-12:00pm

Youth Mobile Workshop Activity: Tour and activities in Lynchburg’s Downtown’s Arts and Cultural District.

 Onsite Workshops ~ Session 3 Not attending mobile tour option 

♦ 9:45am to 10:45am

S3-E1 (On-Site) Workshop Growing Tinbridge Hill: Celebrating History within Neighborhoods: Learn the challenges and rewards of the project and strategies that can be used in other neighborhoods.

Onsite Workshops ~ Session 3 Not attending mobile tour option 

♦ 11:00am to12:00pm

S3-E2 (On-Site) Workshop Disaster Preparedness: Training will cover basic skills that are important to know in a disaster when emergency services are not immediately available.

 Break / Visit Exhibits 

♦ 12:00pm-12:30pm

Award Luncheon 

♦ 12:30pm-2:30pm

Break / Visit Exhibits 

♦ 2:30pm-2:45pm

Workshop Session 4    

♦ 2:45pm-4:15pm

S4-A Becoming an Entrepreneur, Starting a Small Business: Learn flexible financing for your small business and how to improve your chances of getting a loan.

S4-B The Recipe for a Healthy Neighborhood: Learn how to get your community on the track to health through people, collaboration tasks, shared agenda and measures and evidence-based strategies. Come learn the recipe for creating a healthy community.

S4-C Wells Fargo and Neighborhoods: Improving Life Together: This workshop will focus on the programs and grants offered by Wells Fargo in partnership with community groups.

S4-D Achieving Success through Inclusion: This workshop will increase awareness of conscious and unconscious biases that prevent successful outcomes from inclusion. 

Youth Cafe' Session 4    

♦ 2:45pm-4:15pm

Youth Café True Colors: Learn your inner and outer strengths, talents and values. This workshop will give you a greater understanding of others.

Break / Visit Exhibits

♦ 4:15pm-4:30pm

Closing Ceremony      

♦ 4:30pm-5:00pm

A Gentle Reminder The 15th Annual Statewide Neighborhood Conference events and workshops sessions begins from 7:45am–5:00pm opening with  a welcome breakfast; features adult and youth mobile workshops, one onsite workshop,an award luncheon, two concurrent adult workshop sessions  and one youth cafe workshops, and a closing ceremony. There is a lot to cover, so each event/session begins promptly. Event/session/tour will begin seating  15 minutes prior to the scheduled  start time. 

VSNC Mobile Tour Guide will be available by June 2014