July at the CSAC Institute for Excellence in County Government has some special classes for county managers, executives and elected officials. Take the two special fiscal management classes together on July 19 and 20: Financial Management: Debt and Investment of Public Funds and State Budget 101. Facilitation Practices on July 26 is perfect for those who want to enhance their group facilitation practices. Read on about next month’s classes and join us! Download the complete schedule of Institute classes through December. 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.

July Classes

Customer Service in the Public Sector: Balancing Satisfaction with Priorities

Thursday, July 12, 2018 – 10:00AM – 3:30PM
Shasta/Tehama Campus

Strategies to create and enhance a customer service culture for their agency is the focus of this class for managers and executives. Participants explore how to balance great customer service with county and state regulations and requirements. It focuses on what defines good customer service and a service culture. Lively small and large group conversations provide tools to assess the current environment, gaps to be more service oriented, and how to get there. The structure and process to support and recognize effective customer service are examined – even in difficult regulatory situations. Barriers to good customer service are discussed along with service and performance measurements.

Instructor is Angela Antenore, M.Ed., an experienced agency manager, agency board member and university instructor.

Building and Maintaining a Team Environment

Thursday, July 19, 2018 – 10:00AM – 3:30PM
Contra Costa County Campus

Counties use teams as a method to get work done. It takes a certain organizational culture to support teams. This course examines the culture and attributes of high-performing teams in the public sector. Hands on simulations demonstrate team strategies. Strategies, tools and resources are shared along with team leadership practices, and how to transition to a team culture. Participants examine the group dynamics required for team success, define team responsibilities and accountability, how to evaluate team performance against mission, and the leadership practices to lead and sponsor teams.

Instructor is Dr. Jerry Estenson, Professor of Organizational Behavior at Sacramento State University.  

MAKE IT A FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT DUO! Take these two fiscal classes together:

Financial Management: Debt and Investment of Public Funds 

Thursday, July 19, 2018 – 10:00AM – 3:30PM
Sacramento Campus

Elected and appointed officials make critical decisions on the issuance and administration of debt, and the investment of public funds, but may have little experience or depth of knowledge on this complicated subject. This class provides a foundation on understanding debt, debt capacity, options, and county policy on debt. It examines the fiduciary responsibilities of elected and appointed officials and then explores investment of public funds. An overview of prudent investment policy, portfolio strategy and the role of the investment advisors are also explored. Eligible for MCLE credits for members of the Bar.

Instructors include Alan Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer – and experts from — the CSAC Finance Corporation.  

State Budget 101: What Counties Need to Know 

Friday, July 20, 2018 – 10:00AM – 3:30PM
Sacramento Campus

Did you ever wonder how the Governor made that budget decision or why it changed in May? Or do you want to find out how the Legislature changes the Governor’s proposal or how counties can influence either the Governor or the Legislature? This is the class where you can learn the budget basics and answers to those questions and so much more. Learn about who influences – and how they do it – the state budget process, policy and politics. It’s an inside look at a complex process which influences virtually every aspect of county operations. Learn about how to find and interpret budget information and a few tips about influencing the budget decisions.

Instructors are Diane Cummins, Special Assistant to the Governor and has worked in both executive and legislative branches on the budget; and Jean Hurst, Principal with HBE Advocacy and long-time legislative advocate on local government finance. 

Facilitation Skills: The Basics of Bringing People Together

Thursday, July 26, 2018 – 10:00AM – 3:30PM
Sacramento Campus

County staff can play an important facilitative role to encourage agencies, community groups, neighborhoods and others to have conversations to problem solve and seek solutions together. Facilitation skills are a powerful leadership practice - particularly when you don’t have formal authority to work through adaptive challenges or difficult problems. Whether you facilitate teams, inter-departmental or public meetings, or any group … the skills from this class will be of value. This workshop introduces the basics of facilitation and provides participants with a wide range of hands-on practices and techniques.

Instructor is Bill Chiat, Dean of the CSAC Institute and master facilitator has worked with hundreds of local government workshops and meetings