NUSA (Neighborhoods USA) Conference

NUSA (Neighborhood USA Conference). This is an annual event. City's bid for the honor of being the host. Host Cities are chosen years out. It is a big honor but alot of work and alot of volunteers too. It is geneally held over the Memorial Day weekend - Wednesday through Saturday. Generally there are several pre- activities and several post activities schedule for just pure pleasure- each host city is hoping that you will come early and/or stay longer and enjoy their city and state.

NUSA Mission Statement:  NUSA provides opportunities for diverse people and organizations to share their ideas, values and experiences to build stronger communities.

You can check out the History of the organization and anything else you want to know by going to their website http://www.nusa.org/ but the concept of the idea before 1976 between two neighborhoods in two different states and as they say it grew to what it is today. The first official gathering was held in Kansas City, Missouri in 1976 and continues strong. I have been attending since 2005 starting right here in Sacramento.
  
2005 Sacramento, California
2006 Kansas City, Missouri
2007 Baton Rouge, Louisiana
2008 Hampton,Virginia
2009 Spokane, Washington2010 Little Rock, Arkansas

In 2009 a number of us were able to attend the Spokane Washington NUSA Conference.  Citrus Heights Soar Neighborhood, #10, entered their "Healthy City's Senior Health Fair" and won Grand Prize and First Place. Wow, were we all excited! It was a great day for us. We were all so proud. Jayna Karpinski Costa and Lorraine Flurry from Area #10 made the presentation.

Now in 2011, Jayna Karpinski Costa is returning to NUSA as a presenter of this project. What a great opportunity to share with other Neighborhoods around the USA, Canada and Japan. Yes Japan, they are very interested in the Neighborhood concept and have been attending for several years.  Congratulations to SOAR and to Citrus Heights.

Oh did I mention that the May 25-28 2011 is in Alaska. http://www.nusa2011.org/.  Check it out, you maybe interested in attending. It is several days of classes given by various groups from around the country that present programs letting you know what they are doing in their Neighborhoods, what is working and what is not working. It is very benefical and lots of fun too. Each day there is something special planned by the host city, which is Anchorage, Alaska this year.

NOTE: 2012 NUSA -Indianapolis, IN   May 23-26, 2012