As California County Supervisors, we’ve become accustomed to expecting the unexpected and preparing for the next calamity to threaten our communities.

Our experiences with wildfires, floods and debris flow, drought and ongoing efforts to address homelessness have taught us to act quickly and decisively while also being flexible to changing conditions and factors. Throughout my tenure as a CSAC officer, I have watched County Supervisors from across this great state come together to innovate, collaborate and protect our communities from dire circumstances. However, nothing could have prepared us for Leading Through Adversity as we have during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I am incredibly proud of the entire County Family and the way we have worked individually and collectively to protect and support our communities through this global pandemic. Through the leadership and coordination of CSAC, we’ve benefited from regularly scheduled calls with Governor Newsom and his Administration, ad hoc emergency calls on the weekends, evening updates and more. COVID-19 has reinforced the importance of a strong county- state partnership and the strength of the County Family speaking together with one voice. We have remained tenacious in our effort to protect the public health, bridge budget gaps and keep our communities together.

While I was looking forward to welcoming all of you to Los Angeles County this November, that cannot safely happen. Rather than cancel or postpone the event altogether, CSAC has pivoted to an online, virtual platform for our conference. I am delighted to invite you to join me, from the socially-distanced comfort of your home or office, to the Association’s 126th Annual Meeting from Thursday, Nov. 12, to Thursday, Nov. 19. I look forward to the opportunity to reflect on the many ways California Counties: Leading Through Adversity like never before. Registration is live.

The first virtual CSAC Annual Meeting will be an opportunity to discuss emerging issues, reflect on the challenges of the last six months and learn from each other about what is working well at the local level. We’ll welcome new supervisors to our ranks, meet as policy committees and caucuses and elect our leadership for the next year. We’ll even have a few surprises to make this an engaging and enjoyable virtual event. Your attendance and participation are as critical now as ever, and I look forward to sharing the virtual experience together with you in November.