ANNUAL CALPA CONFERENCE - MAY 12-15, 2011

Hosted by the Mendocino Area Parks Association

2011 CALPA Conference Materials

Join CALPA in the historic Mendocino Village
to help ready your co-op for one of the most challenging
periods in California State Park history.

What are the changes? What are the opportunities?
What is your plan of action?

California State Parks Needs you as "Key Partners for the Future"

The entire village of Mendocino is on the National Historic Registry.Situated on a scenic headlands promontory into the Pacific Ocean, this new-England style village reveals a fascinating history of survival, adaptation, and ingenuity.Today the village is a community of unique boutiques, amazing artists, and open-hearted, friendly Mendocinoans.

Why is the CALPA Conference 2011 Important for You,
your Cooperating Association, and the CA State Park Staff?

The CALPA Conference provides:
* Networking opportunities with other Co-op Associations and Park Staff
* The latest on what is happening with parks and in interpretation
* Possible solutions on issues your co-op is or might be facing.

Conference Registration - Ends on May 1st
Visit our Conference Registration Page for fee schedule,
registration forms, including scholarship information.
(Scholarships are available for park advocates and State Park staff)

Special thanks to the California State Parks Foundation and the CALPA Board for providing funding for conference support and scholarships.

General Schedule

Thursday, May 12 - Welcome Party!
Ford House Museum/Visitor Center
735 Main St., Mendocino Village

Friday, May 13
Conference Sessions, Hill House Inn
Skunk Train Ride
Wine tasting & cheese & BBQ Dinner
Travel along the Noyo River through the redwoods to dine at Northspur.
Casual Attire~ http://skunktrain.com

Saturday, May 14
Conference Sessions, Hill House Inn
Special Tours
Banquet at Historic Crown Hall

Live Auction ~ Saturday Banquet
Auctioneer: John Kegebein
There will be a live auction with fantastic items. Items that can only be found at the Conference Banquet. For example, you could be a proud owner of a handmade quilt, an original pendant, or a handwoven scarf. All of these are created and designed by proud CALPA members.

There will also be wonderful wines, tours, and overnight stays to bid on.

Come prepared to enjoy yourself and walk away with treasures.

Sunday, May 15
Breakfast & Speaker, Hill House Inn
Special Tours
Local Options - Enjoy the Mendo bounty

Detailed Conference Schedule and Sessions
Download Schedule

GUESTS
Conference Guests will have a designated set of rooms to the left of the Hill House Lobby entry. You can meet there, visit, and coordinate plans to see and take part in the many places to go, restaurants for dining, shop, and more. Sightseeing is more fun when you are with friends!

DPR/COOP and PARK ISSUES

• The New DPR/Co-op Contract: What’s changed? How do the changes impact your Non-Profit?
• State Budget Crisis: What happens now? What are the new opportunities for Co-ops to support parks and keep your park open?
• Park Projects: How to get the best bang for your bucks

FUNDRAISING, CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS

• Donors: How to encourage large donations
• Capital Campaign Ideas That Work ~ Jennifer Ruffolo & Panel
• Saving Historic Structures ~ Marianne Hurley & Panel
• Creative Fundraising: How to sell air?

BOARD DEVELOPMENT

• Strategic Planning: When, Why and How?
• Membership Programs
• Coop Board Development
• Building Your Image to Stand Out from Other Non-Profits: Developing interpretive brochures & Maps; rack cards; public outreach
• Legally Speaking: Documents All Co-ops Need
  SPECIAL REQUEST FOR THOSE ATTENDING THE "Legal Documents" Documents All Co-ops need" SESSION
  PLUS a Legal-Eagle view of the New Contract
  Speakers: Bill Davis, Attorney at Law & Tara Steele, Consultant
  "We would like all the board members who attend to bring copies of the following documents with them: their Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, most recent annual report, most recent board minutes, most recent year-end financial statement."
  ~ Bill Davis
• Non-profit Resources
• The Care and Feeding of Volunteers

INTERPRETATION

• What is the latest in Interpretation?
• Metaphor Museum Design
• Interpretive Master Plan (IMP) - Angel Island Project
  

CLOTHING

Bring layered clothing, and something to wear in case of rain (which won't happen; the weather will be magnificent!)

For the tours, wear outdoor shoes, have available a sweatshirt or jacket, and bring a water bottle. And a camera.

Banquet: Mendocino is a casual area, but this is also a celebration of our being together, so wear whatever is comfortable for you ~ church wear or casual cocktail.

Hotel Options

Hill House and Mendocino Hotel are sold out, but...

Joshua Grindle Inn is a charming Inn located in Mendocino. This Inn has agreed to honor the same CALPA Conference Rate, but you should reserve as soon as possible to assure you get a room.

ONLY $89/ night + tax! Call 1-800-474-6353 or 707-937-4143 to reserve your discounted room. Code is 'CALPA' (These room rates will also be honored for extra nights if you wish to stay to enjoy Mendocino's bounty).

Other Wonderful Lodging Options:
The Stanford Inn
Alegria Oceanfront Inn and Suites
Little River Inn
Brewery Gulch Inn
Point Cabrillo Lightkeepers House

Lower Priced Options:
~ $35 to $40/night: Jughandle Farms & Nature Center - Hostel
707.964.4630 - http://jughandlecreekfarms.org

~ Camping: Van Damme State Park (Inly 3 miles south off Hwy 1.
More info on Mendo County: http://www.visitmendocino.com/

Map of Mendocino - Click for downloadable pdf file
DIRECTIONS FROM AIRPORTS

Driving from the South:
Highway 128 at Cloverdale is the best road when you are coming from the south. This route takes you through Anderson Valley - wine country - where there are myriad wonderful wine-tasting rooms you may enjoy along your way. You will merge with Highway One at the coast and the Navarro River estuary. Stay north to come to Mendocino. (Approx 1.5 hours from 101 to Mendocino)

Once you cross the Big River Bridge, (Mendocino Village viewable to your left) you will have two entries into Mendocino:

1) First left entry into the Village is Main Street. Ford House Museum (Thursday Reception 6-8 pm) is the last building on the left before the Headlands, and just past the Ford House and on the right is the Mendocino Hotel if you have rooms to check into there.

2) Second left entry into the Village is at the stoplight at Little Lake Road. On Little Lake Road you will pass Joshua Grindle Inn if you are lodging there. The next street is Lansing where you turn right, then take the next right into the Hill House Inn grounds where you can Register, or check in if you have rooms at Hill House Inn.

Tour Options

Saturday, May 14 Point Cabrillo Light Station Tour the Fresnel Lens Information on the wreck of the Frolic http://pointcabrillo.org
MacKerricher State Park FULLY BOOKED Seal pupping season - field trip Birding - field trip - Led by Ron LeValley, Marine Biologist and World Renown Nature Photographer
The Woodlands (Operations Managed) A National Historic Landmark built in the 1930s in 700 acres of redwood trees, ferns, and glade... (group camp) http://MendocinoWoodlands.org
Van Damme State Park Pygmy Forest Boardwalk Tour Bog Walk and/or Nature Hike
Sunday, May 15 Mendocino Headlands or Pudding Creek Wildflower Walk Meet at the Ford House Museum
Hendy Woods State Park Picnic & hike in old-growth redwoods Just off Highway 128 enroute to Hwy 101, in wine-tasting country $10 for picnic lunch
LOCAL OPTIONS Historic Mendocino Village Guided walking tour $10 ea Led by Kelley House Museum. Funds will benefit the Kelley House.
Mendocino Botanical Gardens The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens offers everything from colorful displays to thunderous waves. www.gardenbythesea.org
Kayak Tours - Sea Caves and more Van Damme SP Concessionaire $40 (Usually $50) Includes Equipment Kayak Mendocino www.kayakmendocino.com
Rotary Golf Tournament & BBQ Little River Inn Golf Course- $70+ cart Tee Prizes & Fun! Benefits the Fort Bragg Rotary www.littleriverinn.com
Horse Rides along MacKerricher Beach MacKerricher SP Concessionaire $45 Private Group Ride (Usually $80) Richochet Ridge Ranch www.horse-vacation.com/

Transportation Options

Airports and Flights:

Santa Rosa Airport - 95 miles to Mendocino
Flights to/from LAX - $175 - (Horizon Airlines)
Flight to/from San Diego - $420 by way of LAX - (Horizon Airlines)

San Francisco International - 166 miles to Mendocino
Flights to/from LAX - $231 - (Web special on Southwest)
Flights to/from San Diego - $178 - (Web special on Southwest)

Oakland International - 168 miles to Mendocino
Flights to/from LAX - $174 - (Web special on Southwest)
Flight to/from San Diego - $174 - (Web special on Southwest)

Driving Directions:

Directions to Mendocino from San Francisco - 166 miles (3 hours 20 minutes)
Highway 101 north to CA 128 (to Fort Bragg/Mendocino) to Highway 1 north (Shoreline Highway)

View Larger Map

Directions from Oakland - 168 miles (3 hours 15 minutes)
Interstate 880 N (Downtown Oakland) to Interstate 80 E to Interstate 580 E (San Rafael/Pt. Richmond) to Highway 101 N (San Rafael/Santa Rosa) to Highway 128 (Fort Bragg/Mendocino) to Highway 1 north (Shoreline Highway)

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Directions from Santa Rosa - 95 miles (2 hours)
Highway 101 north to CA 128 (to Fort Bragg/Mendocino) to Highway 1 north (Shoreline Highway)

View Larger Map 

Go to Conference Registration Page