This year’s California Special Districts Association (CSDA) Annual Conference & Exhibitor Showcase in Monterey was another huge success, and CPS HR Consulting was proud to connect with public sector leaders from across the state. As an endorsed affiliate and exclusive human resources business partner of CSDA, CPS HR continues to support special districts by sharing expertise, tools, and strategies designed to strengthen organizations and empower their people.
On Monday, CPS HR Senior Leader, Melissa Asher, led a short session during the So You Want to be a General Manager Training Program on what an executive search process includes and how candidates can be prepared. The large group of individuals interested in taking on leadership roles was wonderful to see, and participants asked great questions about what boards are looking for today in their next general manager.
Then on Tuesday, Melissa and HR Client Success Manager, Tiffany Bose, led a breakout session titled, Unlocking the Magic: HR Best Practices for Special Districts. Their presentation explored impactful HR best practices across administration, training, and policies, offering district leaders practical strategies to improve effectiveness and lead with confidence.
The session gave everyone some great tips on how following laws, training, and keeping good records can help agencies comply and reduce risks. It also showed ways to boost employee engagement, development, and retention for better performance.
The conversation sparked thoughtful engagement from attendees, with questions ranging from what training is required for the board and district staff to the best ways to stay up to date on California’s frequently changing HR laws and regulations. The lively dialogue underscored the relevance of HR issues in today’s special district environment and the value of peer-to-peer learning at the conference.
On Wednesday, Tiffany led an exhibitor talk breakout session titled, Cracking the Code: HR Metrics and Key Measures that Matter. This presentation explored how to positively impact special districts by applying HR metrics across key talent management areas. Audiences learned how to identify and leverage these essential metrics to enhance efficiency, productivity and overall effectiveness to manage and lead with confidence. The key takeaway is metrics are not just numbers; they are strategic tools to achieve desired outcomes.
The CSDA Annual Conference once again proved to be an essential event for special district professionals, bringing together leaders to network, share knowledge, and strengthen the sector. CPS HR is honored to contribute to this community and looks forward to continuing its partnership with CSDA and special districts across California.