You are invited to be part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2000 National Community Involvement Conference. This conference brings together representatives from EPA and its partners to discuss the practice of community involvement and public participation. Presentations will emphasize the process of public involvement by focusing on techniques and approaches used in regional and national community involvement programs. Presentations are designed to be interactive and encourage an open exchange of information. Share your expertise, network, and enhance your professional growth by attending this conference.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This conference is designed for EPA staff and their state, local, federal, and tribal partners who are responsible for implementing public participation and community involvement activities. The conference will feature presentations from a variety of EPA program offices, as well as presentations from other agencies and organizations. Approximately 300 people are expected to participate in the conference.

CONFERENCE AGENDA AND SCHEDULE

The general conference includes: two plenary sessions with keynote speakers; one keynote luncheon; approximately 50 concurrent workshop/panel sessions; two open times for networking or discussing hot topics; and one field trip. The conference begins Tuesday, August 29, at 8:30 a.m. and concludes on Friday, September 1, at 12:30 p.m. Optional training sessions are scheduled for the afternoon of Thursday, August 31, ending Friday, September 1, at 12:30 p.m. Please consult the conference agenda for the complete schedule of events.

OPEN TIME SESSIONS

The conference includes two open time sessions for participants to discuss hot topics. During the plenary sessions, participants will be asked to propose and explain topics of interest to them and invite other participants to discuss the issue. The person proposing the topic will be the host of the discussion group and will be responsible for working with conference planners to organize a meeting place during scheduled open times. Open time discussions do not conflict with other conference sessions.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Confirmed keynote speakers include:

• David Gershon, Founder of Global Action Plan for the Earth (GAP)
• Susan Masten, Chairperson for the Yurok Tribe and President of the National Congress of American Indians
• Mohammed Nuru, Executive Director for the San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners (SLUG)

EXHIBITS/POSTERS

Limited space is available for the display of posters and exhibits. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to reserve space to display an exhibit or poster, please contact Edie Findeis, Conference Coordinator, Environmental Management Support, Inc., by phone at (301) 589-5318, or by e-mail at edie.findeis@emsus.com.

“NETWORKING HOUR”

EPA Region 9 welcomes you to the beautiful host city of San Francisco! Say hello to friends you haven’t see in a while and meet new friends at the “networking hour,” which will be held in the hotel Tuesday evening from 5:30-6:30 p.m. A cash bar will be available.

GROUP EVENING ACTIVITY

The conference social committee has made dinner reservations on Wednesday, August 30, at the Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant in Ocean Beach. Enjoy a short tour of the Bay Area before arriving at the Beach Chalet restaurant, one of San Francisco’s most beautiful historical landmark establishments. This activity will cost $40 per person and space is limited to 80 attendees. Entree selections include New England Clam Chowder and a choice between: Herb Crusted Rotisserie Roast Chicken, Grilled 3/4 lb. New York Strip, Grilled King Salmon, and Grilled Portobello Mushroom. Drinks, appetizers, and desserts are not included. RSVPs will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

To lock-in your reservation, please register by August 15, and send a $40.00 check made out to EPA Employee Recreation Association to the following address:

USEPA Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street (SFD-3)
San Francisco, CA 94105
Attn: Catherine McCracken.

All checks must be received by EPA Region 9 by Friday, August 25. Additional tickets will be sold at the conference registration table if space is available. To register for this event, click here or click on the “Register” button in the left hand column toward the top of this page.

LUNCHEON KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

Susan Masten, Chairperson for the Yurok Tribe and President of the National Congress of American Indians, will present this year’s luncheon keynote presentation on Wednesday, August 30, at 11:30 a.m. The lunch is available for $20 per person. Tickets for the luncheon will be sold on the first day of the conference. Ticket sales will end at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 29. Please pre-register for the luncheon by completing the appropriate section of the registration form. Note that all participants may attend this session; however, only individuals who purchase a luncheon ticket will be served a meal.

FIELD TRIP

A field trip to various watershed-related Creek Keepers projects will be held on Wednesday, August 30, 1:30 p.m., to give participants the opportunity to see first hand the results of community outreach efforts. Currently, the field trip is filled. However, if you are still interested, check with the registration desk at the conference to see if any additional slots have opened up.

OPTIONAL TRAINING SESSIONS

Optional eight-hour training and skills development sessions are available on Thursday afternoon, August 31, through Friday morning, September 1. Space is limited, so see the registration form to sign up today!

ACCOMMODATIONS

A block of rooms for conference participants has been reserved at the government rate of $139/night (tax included when using a government credit card) at the Holiday Inn–Financial District. To make reservations, please call the hotel directly at 1-800-424-8292. To ensure that you get the government rate, inform the reservations office that you are with the “EPA Community Involvement Conference.” Reservations must be made by July 27, 2000. You are encouraged to book early to ensure availability of a room at the government rate.

CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION

Jori Copeland, Conference Chair
US EPA Ariel Rios Building, Mail Code 4606
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: (202) 260-1905
Fax: (202) 260-0732
E-Mail: copeland.jori@epa.gov

Edie Findeis, Conference Coordinator
Environmental Management Support, Inc.
8601 Georgia Avenue, Suite 500
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: (301) 589-5318
Fax: (301) 589-8487
E-Mail: edie.findeis@emsus.com

HOW TO REGISTER

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, and priority will be given to EPA representatives and conference presenters. Additional guests will be registered, space permitting. To register for the conference, click here or click on the “Register” button in the left hand column toward the top of this page. Registrants will be mailed detailed conference registration materials approximately one month prior to the conference.