CRENSHAW : Heart Assn. Slates Volunteer Meeting

To begin its second year of operation, the Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw branch of the American Heart Assn. has scheduled a volunteer leadership conference Thursday.

The conference will introduce new leadership and board members and familiarize potential volunteers with the association and its services. The branch opened in October as part of the association’s new emphasis on small, community-based branches rather than regions.

Branch spokeswoman Malaika Tawasufi said the Baldwin Hills affiliate achieved its fund-raising goal of $18,500 in the past year and has sponsored several educational events and medical screenings in the Crenshaw area. Tawasufi said the branch, the only one headquartered in a riot-affected area, has flourished with active leadership and is now seeking to diversify its core of volunteers.

“We’ve proven that new ventures can succeed in adverse conditions,” she said. “This year, we’d like to get a good cross-section of the surrounding community, particularly Latinos and young folks.”

The conference begins at 7:30 a.m. in the Community Room at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.

Information: (213) 385-4231.