Nearly 460 citizens representing 68 different neighborhoods took advantage of the Neighborhood Connections’ homeowner trainings during the past year.  The trainings included:
 

• Transition from Developer Control described and explained the transition process, identified areas of concern for associations and reviewed the legal framework for transition.
• Basic Legal Aspects was offered to increase understanding of the laws governing homeowners’ associations and explained duties of board members; and how to accurately reflect meeting minutes, etc.
• Understanding Governing Documents described how documents form the legal foundation for association operations and how they interrelate and influence association decision making.
• Essentials of Community Association Volunteer Leadership provided information about the creation, legal foundation, organization, and financial structure of community associations.
  
• Reserve Studies – Dollars and Sense offered a chance to learn the steps involved in conducting a reserve study - a physical and financial analysis of a neighborhood’s amenities.
• James City County 101 (JCC 101) was designed for both new and existing residents to learn more about County staff, services and resources.

Neighborhood Connections also initiated three sessions of James City County 102 this year to expand on JCC 101 by providing an in-depth look at the top areas of interest for James City County in 2007-08. This year topics included the Stormwater Management Program, the 2008 Comprehensive Plan, and JCC Capital Improvement Projects/Tour and the transition to the Williamsburg Area Transportation Authority.

Neighborhood Connections offered Citizen Leadership Academy, a seven-week training course with a focus on citizen engagement, included a field trip and session with members of the County Board of Supervisors. Fifteen citizens successfully completed the course.

Neighborhood Connections implemented an interactive web-based database called NOWAC, Neighborhoods Organizing Ways to Achieve Connections, which gives users a direct link to a variety of James City County “connected” neighborhood information and the ability for all users to register online for trainings.  The site is used internally to track our liaison activity in neighborhoods, create forms and report out on training activity.

Neighborhood Connections hosted a “Pride Tour” of James City County during the national Neighborhoods, USA 2008 Conference held in Hampton, VA in May.

Neighborhood Connections offered a four day “Train the Trainer” program to nine JCC staff covering eight different departments. This training provided the basic skills and steps to creating and delivering trainings on any topic. Participants used this training to develop various staff programs within their departments.

Neighborhood Connections coordinated training and facilitators for the four 2008 Comprehensive Plan Community Conversations,

Neighborhood Connections’ director trained staff at a Management Forum on managing change.

Neighborhood Connections reviewed and updated the neighborhood connection process.

Neighborhood Connections designed and published a board packet for association board of directors which contained “how-to” information on a variety of association topics, emergency preparedness and service providers.

Neighborhood Connections hosted two open houses for business partners and county departments to introduce our services.