Watsonville City Councilmember-Elect Karina Cervantez has been selected to attend the prestigious NALEO National Institute for Newly Elected Officials in Washington, D.C., November 15-18, 2012. Cervantez will be only the second Latina to ever serve on the Watsonville City Council, after former Mayor Ana Ventura Phares, when she is sworn in at a council meeting in December.
The three and half-day “boot camp”, hosted by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, provides newly elected officials with the opportunity to further enhance their governance skills and build relationships with fellow public servants and experts from all over the United States. The training will give Cervantez a head start in effectively working to address the most pressing issues facing Watsonville.
Councilmember-Elect Cervantez will be mentored by national and local leaders who have been champions for their communities, including Fla. State Senator and Hispanic Legislative Caucus Chair Rene Garcia, New York City Councilmember Julissa Ferreras and Texas State Representative Rafael Anchia. The training will provide tools for implementing effective service to constituents as well as how to maximize limited resources for our community.
Cervantez will also learn from experts on a variety of governance areas including budgeting, public policy and ethics among others. Throughout the Institute, she will gain access to national experts and resources that the Watsonville City Council can leverage for the benefit of Watsonville and the rest of Santa Cruz County.
Cervantez will be joined by more than 60 other newly elected officials from across the country. Councilmember-Elect Cervantez is proud to join the NALEO Educational Fund and the nation’s newest public servants in Washington D.C. as they work together to move our communities forward.
