The Institute is offering an amazing array of leadership and policy courses for County managers, executives, and elected officials. Check out the May and June line up now – we are offering a variety of new and Institute favorites. Highlights include Labor Relations and Negotiations, Reimagining the World of Work and Leading for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in County Government. Register quickly as classes do fill up.

This past fall, our San Diego and Tulare County cohorts finished, and many earned their CSAC Institute Executive Credential. We appreciate your ongoing patience, flexibility, and support as we overcame the challenges of COVID-19 and moving all of our classes online. We would like to congratulate each of you on joining our distinguished group of credential holders! Here are brief videos recognizing their commitment to professional development.

CSU-San Bernardino is offering an online Master of Public Administration degree developed for county staff that has a leadership and county management focus. Click here for more information about this exciting opportunity.

UPCOMING MAY COURSES

Reimagining the World of Work (326) NEW!

Friday, May 7, 2021 • 9:00 am – 1:30 pm

Resilience is the art of bouncing back. But now, it’s time to start leaping forward and be prepared for the next chapter. Or be READY for the next chapter. Or what comes next. Or even what might be coming. Readiness asks us to anticipate and reimagine our new world and be intentional about how to shape it. Focusing first on the human factor and the health and safety of employees, this workshop will examine what counties should consider when they start the complex task of returning virtual employees to the workplace and creating the workplace of the future. Hear from leaders across the state and County practitioners in a moderated discussion with Dr. Laree Kiely.

Financing California Counties: The History (151) 

Thursday, May 13, 2021 • 9:00 am – 1:30 pm

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 former Special Advisor to the Governor on State and Local Realignment.

Labor Relations and Negotiations in Local Government (153)

Friday, May 14, 2021 • 9:00 am – 1:30 pm

The class examines the basics of labor relations in the county environment. Laws and regulations affecting public-sector employment and labor relations in California are examined along with techniques to build and maintain effective and productive relationships with employee groups. The class explores the various roles in labor relations and labor negotiations along with pitfalls to avoid in working with labor representatives. Techniques are examined for maintaining productive relationships with employee organizations during difficult times. Eligible for MCLE credits for members of the Bar.

Instructors: Richard Whitmore and Richard Bolanos are partners with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore and work extensively with local governments on labor relations.

Manage Conflict (Even Hostility) in Comfort (360)

Thursday, May 20, 2021 • 9:00 am – 1:30 pm

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: Laree Kiely, Ph.D. is president and CEO of We Will, Inc. and former professor at the USC Marshall School of Business.

CLASS IS FULL

Initiating, Navigating, and Negotiating the Dynamics of Change in County Government  (137) New!

Friday, May 21, 2021 • 9:00 am – 1:30 pm

This course focuses on changing policy and administrative approaches in county government. The course discussion explores a six-part framework developed from change processes in children’s services, health services, homelessness, and other issues for underserved or vulnerable communities challenging county governments in California. The class experience is highly interactive, with participants applying to change model steps to their specific challenges. The discussion specifically addresses moving from current path dependencies and problem identification, with processes for redesigning institutions, policies, and organizational structures. The course is applied not theoretical; county focused, not general. The course has two parts: one, individually, prior to class, watching a one-hour documentary that was broadcast on PBS on the career of a county supervisor which will be discussed in part two, as a group, meeting for a three-hour class. The material includes worksheets for participants. The course intends to help participants to initiate, as well as navigate and negotiate the dynamics of change in county government.

Instructor: Dr. Rich Callahan is associate professor of management at the University of San Francisco