The CSAC Institute for Excellence in County Government has a terrific slate of courses planned for November. Course topics range from leadership and managing conflict to evidence-based results and the New Supervisors Institute. These classes will fill quickly! Read on for details.

Download the Course Schedule for more details on all the classes offered by CSAC Institute and Register Now. Classes open to all county staff and elected officials. Classes are an affordable $129 each and include class materials and lunch. Discounts for multiple registrations.

Manage Conflict (Even Hostility) in Comfort

Thursday, November 3, 2016 – 10:00 to 3:30 - Sacramento 

Conflicts and disagreements are a fact of life. They can contribute to better outcomes or can lead to an escalating situation. Transform the most difficult circumstances into a satisfying experience for all involved. This course helps County elected officials and executives identify constructive approaches to positively managing conflict whether from the dais, in a meeting, or one-on-one. Participants analyze their own response to conflict and develop tools to quickly assess and respond to difficult situations and create practical, positive outcomes. Instructor is Dr. Laree Kiely, president of the Kiely Group, organizational effectiveness consultants, and a professor at the USC Marshall School of Business. 

Leadership and Change: Practices to Move Organizations

Friday, November 4, 2016 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Riverside County
Friday, December 9, 2016 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Sacramento 

County officials and managers discuss the need for change in their organizations, yet struggle when change is difficult to accomplish within the depths of the organization. This course helps participants move past technical solutions to the practices for approaching adoptive challenges. Discussion highlights why some changes happen relatively quickly while others are stymied. Participants explore change from the perspective of those whom the change affects. Practical discussions focus on design of a change process; practices to diagnose, interpret and select interventions; barriers; and creating an environment in which people can expand their capacity to address adaptive change. Instructor is Bill Chiat, Dean of CSAC Institute. For the last 35 years he has worked with hundreds of local agencies in crafting change.   

Drama in the Board Room: Acting Techniques to Improve Your County Performance

Friday, November 10, 2016 – 10:00 to 3:30 - Sacramento 

Leadership and acting have a lot in common. Both crafts require practitioners to be aware of and manage their emotions and those of people around them. They evoke different emotions – leaders generally don’t try to get people to cry and actors generally don’t get people to work through difficult workplace changes - but their crafts overlap nonetheless. In this lively, interactive class, participants learn and practice classic theatrical training concepts and techniques that they can apply to their work as county leaders. Learn how to add passion and meaning to your communication. Instructors are Supervisor Stacy Corless, Mono County and founding member of Sierra Classic Theatre in Mammoth Lakes and Supervisor John Gioia, Contra Costa County and Chair of CSAC Institute Governing Board.  

Emerging Issues: Evidence-Based Results

Thursday, November 17, 2016 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Sacramento

California’s paradigm shift with 2011 realignment in the criminal justice system has encouraged different agencies to communicate and work together to provide efficient and effective solutions to the criminal justice population. The shift not only brought more offenders, but it brought the need for counties to provide more services in and out of custody. How does a county know which programs to fund? How does a county determine if its investment was effective? This conversation will look at how counties can invest in programs that will produce the best outcomes for residents and the highest rate of return on the investments. It will help bridge the gap between research, data collection and county concerns. 

Leading with Emotional Intelligence

Friday, November 18, 2016 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Merced County

What characteristics and practices distinguish great from good performers? What evidence based practices should be part of your daily routine to be a high performer? We will answer these questions from a 30 year data base and research of top performance as we dive into the four areas of Emotional Intelligence (EI): 1) Under-standing Yourself, 2) Managing Yourself, 3) Understanding Others and 4) Managing Others. You will take an assessment to determine your EI strengths. Hands on tools to enhance your EI will be explored. Emotional Intelligence is a prime factor to one’s success when compared to Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and technical expertise. Business simulations, practices sessions, videos and group discussions will help participants enjoy, engage and learn more. Instructor is Relly Nadler, Psy.D. founder of True North Leadership, Inc., and author of Leading with Emotional intelligence.

New Supervisors Institute

Monday-Tuesday, November 28-29, 2016 – 8:00 am – Palm Springs

So you’ve just been elected as County Supervisor. Now what? This series of three sessions is designed to help you hit the ground running. The series examines the basics of county governorship. Hear tips and tricks from other supervisors on establishing your office, roles and responsibilities, ten top questions to ask of staff, legal obligations and much more. The first session of this in-depth seminar is held just before the beginning of the CSAC Annual Meeting. The first seminar provides the unique opportunity to develop a network among new supervisors that will last through your career. Instructors are Mike McGowan, former long-time Supervisor from Yolo County and 2012 CSAC President; Bill Chiat, Dean of the CSAC Institute and experienced executive in local government service; and a HOST of exceptional county supervisors and executives who are excited to share their expertise.

To register for courses or to learn more about the Institute, credential programs, and courses, please visit www.csacinstitute.org.