As park and recreation professionals, we are privileged to be the stewards of taxpayer dollars. Each and every day we get to spend their money. What a responsibility! We hold in our hands the power to impact communities by how we manage these resources, how we spend, how we generate revenues, and how we work to create a financially sustainable future for our organizations and for the field of parks and recreation.
Note: Completion of Financial Sustainability Certificate Program Part 1 is recommended but not required to participate in Part 2.
This next level program is designed for professionals (and elected/appointed officials) committed to deepening their understanding of financial sustainability within local government, particularly in the realm of quality-of-life services. Bring ALL your key team players, take full advantage of this curriculum, and build a useable plan together!
General Information
The SCHEDULE
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
8:30am - 4:00pm
Continental breakfast and lunch included
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
8:30am - 4:00pm
Continental breakfast and lunch included
Thursday, October 2, 2025
8:30am - noon
Continental breakfast included
The LESSONS
- Understanding cost of service
- Investment versus consumption spending
- The tension between stability and growth
- The "oh s*#t moments" of taxes and math
- Productively engaging community and policy makers
- Policy development, design and adoption
Through applied learning, peer dialogue, and practical methods and tools, participants will emerge better prepared to lead with clarity and advocate for financially sustainable decision making. The journey concludes with actionable takeaways and support for “what’s next” in each learner’s unique path.
The LEADERS
Jamie Sabbach, 110%
Jamie has spent her entire adult life serving the public park and recreation profession. Afforded opportunities few will ever have, she has been a practitioner, an educator, and consultant. She speaks from a place of experience, realism, and observation.
Jamie has taught hundreds of professional development and training programs across North America and Europe and has had the privilege of testifying in front of the United States Congress on the critical importance of public lands and recreation.
She currently works alongside organizations from coast to coast assisting them in creating financially sustainable service models for their communities. She also teaches financial management at Indiana University in the School of Public Health's masters program.
Kevin Shepherd, Verdunity
Kevin Shepherd began his career as a civil engineer designing infrastructure and development projects before transitioning into community planning where he worked on master plans and sustainability strategies for cities across North America. He realized that very few cities had the money needed to maintain services and infrastructure, and that shifts needed to be made to get back on a fiscally sustainable path.
Kevin founded Verdunity in 2011 to focus on helping communities understand and address these challenges because he believes everyone deserves to live in a prosperous and vibrant neighborhood at a cost they can afford. Verdunity's work has been featured by national organizations including the American Planning Association (APA), Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), International City/County Management Association (ICMA), as well as advocacy organizations including Strong Towns and Bloomberg.
The WHERE
This session is hosted by the City of Napa and will take place within the Community Room of the McCarthy Library at Napa Valley College (2277 Napa Vallejo Hwy, Building 1700, Napa, CA 94558).
Daily Parking Permits may be purchased for $3 per day and are only valid on the day of purchase. Digital daily permits are available for purchase through the ParkMobile app. When using the ParkMobile app, you will need to enter PARKING ZONE #3690. You can click here to access a map of the campus and parking lot.
Overnight accommodations are not included with registration and should be booked independently if needed. A group room block has not been established.
The airport nearest the venue (i.e., Napa Valley College) is the Charles M. Schultz Sonoma County Airport (approx. 48 miles). The Sacramento International Airport is approx. 61 miles away.
The HOW
This is an on-site learning experience limited to in-person attendance. Registration covers all learning materials, three breakfasts, and two lunches.
1.5 CEUs (i.e., 15 hours of approved continuing education units) are available for purchase.
Registration closes on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
Prices
Registration: $599 CPRS members, $749 non-members
CEU’s can be added for an additional $20 for CPRS members, $40 for non-members.
Cancellations and Transfers
Registration may be transferred to another representative from your agency until Monday, September 8, 2025, with a $50 administration fee. Registration fee difference will be assessed based on the membership status of the transferee and the rate paid by the initial registrant.
A registered participant may request to transfer to an alternative upcoming Financial Sustainability Certificate Program session until Wednesday, September 3, 2025. These requests will be reviewed by CPRS HQ and may be granted dependent on availability. If approved, a $50 administration fee will apply.
Refund requests received by Wednesday, September 3, 2025, will incur a $100 cancellation fee.
Refund requests received on/after September 5, 2025, will be assessed 50% of the registration fee.
No refunds will be granted after Thursday, September 11, 2025.
To communicate about a transfer or cancellation, please contact CPRS HQ at cprs@cprs.org or (916) 665-2777.
ADA & Special Request Information
For ADA requests and questions concerning accessibility, contact CPRS at (916) 665-2777. Accommodations such as interpreters cannot be guaranteed without at least 30 days notice.
Food Allergies & Preferences:
Please note any dietary restrictions in the registration prompts. We will do our best to accommodate requests, but need a minimum of 30 days notice to ensure we have suitable options available.
Membership Status
The member rate for registration and CEUs will automatically be applied if you are a member of CPRS. If you need assistance with your membership status or login and password, before registering, please call CPRS HQ at (916) 665-2777. If you are renewing your membership online, please allow 24 hours for our system to update and reflect current member pricing. For the best registration pricing, join here!