Programs

Image of person on Mountain top celebrating the challenge

Is Your District Ready to Level Up

In a time where proper fiscal management and responsibility in public agencies is paramount and the task of governing these agencies has become even more complex, regulated, and costly, it has become increasingly important to demonstrate to constituents that districts have sound fiscal management policies and practices in place among other areas of importance in district operations.

How Does it Work

4 Easy Steps…

Commit to the Challenge
Complete the District of Distinction Application
Submit the Completed Checklist to SDLF
Get Recognized for Your Efforts!

What Does A Participating District Receive?

A professional plaque for public display at the district
Use of the SDLF District of Distinction recipient logo on the district’s website, social media platforms, letterhead, and/or other public outreach materials
Presentation of the plaque at a district board meeting or the CSDA Annual Conference
Recognition on social media and in the CSDA eNewsletter

In addition, SDLF will randomly select ten (10) participating special districts that meet the challenge by November 30, 2025 to receive the following additional benefits:

A district highlight and article in an issue of California Special District magazine
Special recognition and highlight on the SDLF website
Announcement of your district’s achievement in a special SDLF press release sent to major newspapers in your area and statewide
A letter sent from SDLF directly to your California legislators and county Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) notifying them of your district’s accomplishment

Challenge Timeline = May 15, 2025 through November 30, 2025

Why Take the Challenge?

The accreditation criterion gets to the heart of best practices in public agencies. Demonstrate that your district:

Understands and respects the responsibilities inherent in providing essential public services.
Has clean financial audits and operates in a fiscally responsible and transparent manner.
Is conscious of the ever-changing operating environment by having current and relevant policies and procedures in place that conform to all statutes and regulations under state law.
Places an emphasis on continuing education completed by having each of the district’s board members and executive staff in ethics, governance, and leadership training.
Focuses on having sound policies in the areas of governance, board conduct, district finances, transparency, and reserves.

Start the Challenge Today!

Download and Complete the
District of Distinction Application

Commit to the Challenge

online form

Requirement for the BASIC Level

All directors/trustees, general manager, and executive staff (as designated by the district) have received training in governance as well as compliance with AB 1234 Ethics Training and AB 1825 Harassment Prevention Training for Supervisors.

AB1234 Ethics & AB1825 Harassment Training Training of Each

Ethics LIVE

LIVE Training:
February 4, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

LIVE Training:
October 21, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Harassment for Supervisors LIVE

LIVE Training:
February 6, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

LIVE Training:
October 14, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Governance TrainingChoose an Option

The Governance requirement must be fulfilled within the past 5 years for any new Board Members, GM, and or Executive Staff. If the district’s Board and staff have remained the same since their last renewal, they do not need to complete this requirement again.
*Districts with boards larger than 7 need at least a majority of total board members completing this training requirement.

Option #1

Attend ANY module of the Special District Leadership Academy (virtual or in-person in 2025)

Virtual Workshop: SDLA Module 1: Governance Foundations
Wednesday and Thursday, February 19th & 20th, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day

Virtual Workshop: SDLA Module 2: Setting Direction/Community Leadership
Wednesday and Thursday, April 2nd & 3rd, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day

Virtual Workshop: SDLA Module 3: Board’s Role in Finance
Wednesday and Thursday, September 17th & 18th, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day

Virtual Workshop: SDLA Module 4: Board’s Role in Human Resources
Wednesday and Thursday, December 3 and 4, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day

OR

In-Person Workshop: SDLA Module 1: Governance Foundations
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Hilton Sacramento Arden West, 2200 Harvard Street, Sacramento, CA 95815

In-Person Workshop: SDLA Module 1: Governance Foundations
Monday, August 25, 2025, in Monterey (a pre-conference workshop)

Option #2

Attend the Special District Leadership Academy Conference (SDLA):

April 21 - 24, 2025, in La Quinta, CA
October 5 - 8, 2025 in Redding, CA
November 16 - 19, 2025 in Seaside, CA

**Completing all four modules of the Special District Leadership Academy, either as standalone workshops OR completing the first-time attend track of the Special District Leadership Academy counts toward the Certificate in Special District Governance, which is also a requirement for higher levels of District of Distinction

Option #3

Virtual Workshop: SDLA Module 1: Board Member Best Practices
Wednesday and Thursday, January 22nd & 23rd, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day

Plus, Two on-demand webinars:

Board Member and District Liability Issues
OnDemand
Who Does What? Best Practices in Board/Staff Relations & Communication
OnDemand

Option #4

Can’t make it to one of CSDA’s scheduled governance training?Would your district prefer internal training at your location? We have you covered! With CSDA’s “Governance to Go” program, you can complete an online request for training that works for you and your district. All of our governance training options also meet the requirement for six hours of governance training for the District of Distinction program from the Special District Leadership Foundation. Details, fees, and request forms are available here: Workshop Requests - California Special Districts Association (csda.net)

Option #5

Other courses may qualify as well, however, will need to be submitted for review by SDLF.