Clovis Veterans Memorial District
808 4th St. Clovis, CA 93612
03/14/2025
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Agenda
8:00 A.M. – 8:30 A.M. | AM REGISTRATION & SESSION SELECTION CVMD North Lobby |
8:30 A.M. – 8:45 A.M. | WELCOME AND AGENDA OVERVIEW Rob Beard, Quality Assurance Specialist |
8:45 A.M. – 10:15 A.M. | “THE POWER OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE” Dr. Arturo Menefee, Interim Executive Director for The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development |
10:15 A.M. – 10:30 A.M. | CEO WELCOME Brian Angus, Interim Chief Executive Officer |
10:30 A.M. – 10:45 A.M. | BREAK TIME |
10:45 A.M. – 11:15 A.M. | HEAD START 0 TO 5 PROGRAM UPDATES Michael Balderas, Interim Head Start Director |
11:15 A.M. – 11:45 A.M. | SimpleEAP OVERVIEW EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Joshua D. Oswald, Senior Account Executive |
11:45 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. | LUNCH TIME |
1:00 P.M. – 3:20 P.M. | BREAKOUT SESSIONS |
3:20 P.M. – 3:40 P.M. | BREAK TIME |
3:40 P.M. – 3:50 P.M. | MY HEAD START STORY Jalyssa Jenkins-McGill, Fresno EOC Commissioner & Parent |
3:50 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. | DOLLAR PER CHILD CAMPAIGN & “FILL THE APPLE” Ralph Carrillo, Interim Education Director |
4:00 P.M. – 4:20 P.M. | RAFFLE TIME: DONATED ITEMS |
4:20 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. | STAFF EVALUATIONS/CLEAN-UP/ADJOURNMENT/SIGN-OUT |
Brian Angus served as CEO of the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (Fresno EOC) from August 9, 2010, to December 31, 2019. On January 6, 2025 he returned to serve as Interim CEO. With nearly 50 years in the Community Action network, he has been a leader and innovator in combating poverty.
Before joining Fresno EOC, Mr. Angus was the Chief Executive Director of the Anne Arundel Economic Opportunity Committee. Throughout his career, he has built community responses to pressing issues, organizing three nationally recognized coalitions. Notably, in the 1980s, he founded the FACE program, hailed by President Jimmy Carter as the first low- and no-cost community energy education initiative. He received a presidential citation for Community Energy Innovation from Ronald Reagan. In the 1990s, he led the Safe and Healthy Neighborhood Coalition in Massachusetts, achieving significant reductions in gang violence, which contributed to Fitchburg’s recognition as a 1994 All America City.
Mr. Angus, who organized Poverty Task Forces in Northern Kentucky and Anne Arundel County, Maryland, to develop poverty reduction strategies, views the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 as his personal mission dedicated to “eliminating the paradox of poverty” and fostering “decency and dignity.” We welcome him back and look forward to his leadership in addressing poverty in Fresno County.
Dr. Arturo Menefee is the Interim Executive Director for the University of Alabama Center for Economic Development and an adjunct instructor at the Culver House College of Business. Arturo is also the President of Leadership Empowerment Strategies, LLC. He has more than fifteen years of professional and academic experience in leadership, community, personal growth, emotional intelligence, workforce and economic development.
Dr. Menefee is an award-winning author and a highly sought-after speaker/trainer, having conducted keynotes, workshops and seminars for universities, governmental agencies, schools, healthcare entities, professional athletic teams, corporate agencies, non-profits and churches throughout the United States.
He received his Ph.D. in Public Policy at Auburn University and he is a Global Fellow at the Manufacturing Diversity Institute in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Dr. Menefee is committed and passionate about inspiring the youth, empowering people and building communities!
Breakout Sessions
Session I: 1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Session II: 2:20 P.M. – 3:20 P.M.
Diversity: Experiencing Differences : Brandon Bigelow, COS Training Resource Center Trainer | Room: Independence A
– 90 PER SESSION –
In today’s workforce, we embrace a beautiful tapestry of backgrounds, races, ages, and experiences. Navigating this diversity can be challenging, but it’s also an incredible opportunity for growth and connection. This course invites participants to explore the following topics:
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Discover the true meaning of diversity.
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Exploring root causes of cultural attitudes.
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Learn techniques for overcoming biases.
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Explore the positive benefits that diversity offers individuals and organizations.
Yoga - Stress Relief : Christine Rose Brown, Yoga Instructor | Room: Independence B
– 60 PER SESSION –
This class will introduce you to the foundational elements of a vinyasa or ‘flow-based’ yoga class in a welcoming and supportive environment. Participants can look forward to a slower-paced session that prioritizes breathwork and body opening, promoting a sense of physical and mental lightness.
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Your instructor will demonstrate, explain, and guide you through various common asanas (poses).
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Emphasis on breathwork, alignment, and how to make modifications as needed.
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Ideal for beginners or experienced practitioners revisiting the fundamentals or flow at a slower pace.
Please note that yoga mats will not be provided. Be sure to bring your own.
Zumba : Yazmin Ambriz, Zumba Instructor | Room: Freedom
– 60 PER SESSION –
Experience the joy of Zumba—a fun, energetic alternative to traditional workouts! Step into a lively dance party where you can let loose and enjoy fitness without feeling like you’re exercising. Many forget they’re working out while having a blast dancing!
Shift your focus from stress to the joy of movement, and feel the exhilaration. Zumba not only boosts your mood but also improves alertness and mental clarity. Join us and transform your fitness routine into a delightful journey toward a healthier, happier you! We can’t wait to see you on the dance floor!
Building Employee Engagement : Rhonda Herb, COS Training Resource Center Trainer | Room: Veterans A
– 60 PER SESSION-
Have you seen a great employee become stressed or even burned out over time? High-stress jobs—like those in public service, healthcare, and finance—often start with motivated employees eager to make a difference. Without proper support, however, stress can take a toll, leading to burnout and disengagement. This training explores:
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The continuum of employee engagement.
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Provides strategies to manage job-related stress.
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Managers will learn to assess engagement levels and implement individual and group interventions to keep employees motivated and performing at their best.
Building Positive Self-Esteem : Andrea Hawkins, COS Training Resource Center Trainer | Room: Veterans B
– 60 PER SESSION –
Keeping “mentally fit” means building a positive image by learning to recognize critical comments and rewriting the critic’s message to reflect a healthy voice. In this workshop, participants will:
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Define self-esteem.
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Learn how to build positive self-esteem by identifying the undermining critic.
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Recognize and build positive affirmations.
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Take responsibility for themselves.
Dealing with Difficult People : Seng Tang Leang, Licensed Marriage, and Family Therapist (LMFT) | Room: Memorial Auditorium
– 150 PER SESSION –
We all encounter difficult people from time to time. Handling bullies, complainers, and quiet individuals becomes easier when we understand different personality types and develop the skills to cope with them. In this workshop, participants will:
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Learn to identify verbal and non-verbal cues that signal hostility in a co-worker, which will enable them to handle these challenging interactions more effectively.
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Explore the dynamics of interpersonal conflict and develop skills to manage such situations successfully.
Sound Bath : Nancy Miller, Holistic Sound Alchemist | Room: Patriots A and B
– 60 PER SESSION –
A sound bath is a meditative experience where participants are immersed in sound waves from instruments like singing bowls, gongs, chimes, and drums. Sound is a powerful tool that activates the vibrational field of resonance and entrainment, operating on a deep energetic level.
Sound baths are designed to promote deep relaxation and well-being, activating vibrational resonance and helping to release blocked energetic patterns that build up over time due to chronic stress.
Please note that yoga mats will not be provided. Be sure to bring your own.
