The CSAC Institute for Excellent in County Government’s February schedule is full of courses you will love. Check out the course schedule below. And if you want to plan ashead, download the entire schedule of January-June classes. We have a great line-up for you. Register now. Seating is limited and classes fill quickly.

The CSAC Institute provides county officials, senior executives and managers with consummate opportunities to expand your capacity to exercise leadership and governance in volatile and uncertain times. Classes are open to all county staff and elected officials. They are an affordable $149 each and include instruction, class materials and lunch.

February Courses

IT Performance Metrics and Customer Value

FEBRUARY 1, 2018 – 10:00AM – 3:30PM
Sacramento Campus

County governments create value for citizens through the services they deliver. Doing so effectively and efficiently not only requires a keen understanding of how government service quality is impacted by the internal systems and processes which enable them, but also requires establishing metrics around these systems and processes in order to measure performance – after all if it isn’t measured, it isn’t managed. This facilitative course is designed to help county IT professionals understand the metrics that matter. By taking a customer-centric approach, participants will understand how to establish metrics across IT services, applications, and infrastructure, optimize performance over time, and communicate the benefits realized to the rest of the organization through a series of interactive discussions, group activities, and individual exercises. Instructor:  Valence Howden is a Research Director in the CIO Advisory Group at Info-Tech Research Group.

Service Excellence through Process Improvement

FEBRUARY 2, 2018 – 10:00AM – 3:30PM
Sacramento Campus

When counties look to create efficiencies, process improvement is a valuable tool. It can help maximize value, reduce wasteful activities, and improve service delivery. Hear case examples of how Ventura County has significantly improved service quality and performance while reducing costs. This hands-on course engages managers in techniques to identify current service delivery processes and find opportunities to improve. Tools are shared for both identifying process problems and engaging the process participants in crafting solutions. Participants apply the tools in simulations and explore how to use them in a process improvement opportunity at home. Objectives include: 1) identify what a process is and define process improvement; 2) understand and apply the plan-do-check-act cycle; 3) know how and when to apply various improvement tools; and 4) create an improvement plan for a selected process. Instructor: Paul Stamper is manager of the Ventura County Service Excellence Program.

Intergenerational Leadership

FEBRUARY 8, 2018 – 10:00AM – 3:30PM
Shasta County Campus

For the first time in history we find ourselves working with people from five generations.  In today’s workplace we have to understand, communicate and interact with people from different eras, different values and habits, and fundamentally different ideas about life! This class focuses on understanding and practicing how to integrate deeper generational insights into practice.  Participants do self-assessments of their eras and their own values.  They profile their work environments to discern the complexity of the generational mix. Most importantly they learn a unique set of skills and processes to employ when encountering people whose values, habits and business practices may be at odds with their own. This workshop provides participants skills to blend generations to get the best from everyone. Ins ructor:  Larry Liberty, Ph.D. works with Fortune 500 companies and teaches in MBA programs across the globe, and is author of The Maturity Factor – Solving the Mystery of Great Leadership. 

County Financial Reporting and Budgeting for Nonfinancial Professionals

FEBRUARY 9, 2018 – 10:00AM – 3:30PM
San Bernardino County Campus

This course provides the tools for decision-makers, elected officials, senior managers – other than accountants and auditors – who want to have an overview understanding of government financial reporting. Participants discuss budgets, financial statements and the audit, and at the 30,000 foot level what each of those is saying (or not saying!).  Participants should bring questions about terms or concepts they have encountered as part of their interaction with county and government financial reporting. The discussion reviews terms and definitions used with government financial reporting and strategies on how to read financial statements and auditor reports to identify critical information and understand what it means … in plain English! Instructor: Laura Lindal, CPA, is an experienced auditor and an instructor for the California CPA Education Foundation.

Crafting and Implementing Effective Strategic Plans

FEBRUARY 15, 2018 – 10:00AM – 3:30PM
Contra Costa County Campus

Most counties and departments create strategic plans. Sometimes they provide clear guidance to decision makers and staff; sometimes they don’t. This course examines how to make the plan a living document … and have it mean something to those affected. Participants examine: 1) how to craft a strategic plan with the Board of Supervisors or other governing board; 2) engagement of the community and staff in the process; 3) tips to prepare an actionable plan; 4) communication of the plan; and 5) putting a plan into action. Best practices and case examples are used to explore integration of the plan into agency operations and decision-making. Discussion highlights tips for structuring an effective strategic workshop. Instructor:  Angela Antenore, M.Ed. is an experienced strategic facilitator, agency board member and university instructor.

Financing California Counties: The History

FEBRUARY 16, 2018 – 10:00AM – 3:30PM
Merced County Campus

Have you found yourself overwhelmed trying to understand the county revenue sources and funding streams? And how we ended up with this complex system?  This course provides an in-depth examination of the history of county revenue sources and how they have evolved over decades. Exploring the context of county funding decisions by the legislature and administration over the last 40 years is critical in understanding the current state-county funding and revenue relationships. The class examines the history and consequences of major elements in county revenues including: Proposition 13, 172, 1A, Vehicle License Fees, Realignment, ERAF, property tax allocations, current year State budget and more. Instructor:  Diane Cummins is Special Advisor to the Governor on State and Local Realignment.

Emotional Intelligence – A Leadership Master Class

FEBRUARY 22, 2018 – 10:00AM – 3:30PM
FEBRUARY 23, 2018 – 8:30AM – 3:00PM
Sacramento Campus

As the world changes, so do the requirements for leaders to leverage a new set of operating principles: self awareness, self-management, motivation, collaboration, authenticity, empathy, adaptability, influence and resilience … Emotional Intelligence. In this engaging 2 day workshop you will discover the power of emotional intelligence and how it impacts leadership effectiveness and performance.  The workshop utilises the latest research and techniques from neuroscience, emotional Intelligence and mindfulness to assist participants in building their leadership impact, optimise positive relationships, effectiveness, decision-making, influence, and wellbeing; all primary success factors of a great leader. Participants examine the fundamentals of EQ, its importance in leadership, and how to apply competencies and techniques to specific workplace situations. Participants complete a EQ profile and learn how EQ can be developed through practical tools and techniques. Instructors:  Angela Giacoumis is CEO of Careerlink, and works at the nexus of business and neuroscience; John Dare transforms organizations to thrive as a Silicon Valley entrepreneur.