The March schedule for the CSAC Institute for Excellence in County Government is jammed-packed with practical, focused leadership and policy courses, all in high-demand. From negotiations skills and expanding emotional intelligence to financial reporting and labor relations. You’ll find it all this March. Read on, and register today.

Download the Course Schedule for information on all the classes offered by the CSAC Institute, which is designed to expand the capacity and capability of county elected officials, senior executives and managers to provide extraordinary services to their communities. Classes are open to all county staff and elected officials. They are an affordable $129 each and include class materials and lunch. Discounts for multiple registrations.

TWO POPULAR NEGOTIATION CLASSES TOGETHER – March 2 and 3!

Negotiations and Collaboration in Complex Environments

Thursday, March 2, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 - Sacramento

Negotiation is “a back and forth interaction among two or more people who wish to arrive at a mutually agreeable outcome where the parties have some interests in common and some that are opposed.” This definition from Fisher and Ury’s book Getting to Yes describes most “Public Good” negotiations. Solution-Based Negotiation teaches participants how to achieve the most beneficial outcomes for all parties while ensuring the outcomes are in the best interest of the public while the negotiating parties’ relationships end positively. This course covers the most current tried and tested behaviors in the field of negotiation and gives you tools that will be immediately useful in your work. Best of all, it can help you serve your constituents in the best possible ways without needless compromise. Instructor is Dr. Laree Kiely, president of the Kiely Group and professor at the USC Marshall School of Business.

Advanced Practices in Negotiations 

Friday, March 3, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 - Sacramento

This advanced course is designed to enhance and deepen the skills of those with negotiations experience. Whether applied in labor relations, conflict resolution, contracts, intergovernmental agreements or other situations – this advanced course takes your negotiation practices to the next level. The class focuses on understanding and applying the 21st century framework for negotiation success even in very difficult situations and with very difficult people. Participants will explore and apply tools in typical negotiation challenges including scarce resources, rigid timeframes, emotionally charged issues, power struggles and multiple negotiators. Practical strategies and tools for difficult people and complex situations will highlight the class discussions. Participants will have hands-on experience with advanced tools and how to develop their “going forward” plan. Instructor is Laree Kiely, Ph.D., president of the Kiely Group and professor at the USC Marshall School of Business.  

GASB Financial Reporting Requirements 

Thursday, March 9 – 9:30 to 3:30 – Sacramento

GASB 34, Basic Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis continues to change the way counties prepare and review their financial reports. This course will build you understanding of GASB 34, and provide an update of GASB-related pronouncements, exposure drafts and future agenda items. Participants review key concepts such as basic financial statement formats, reconciliations of government-wide financial statements to the funds financial statements, note disclosures and infrastructure capital assets. The class highlights accounting, financial reporting and disclosure issues; new pension standards: GASB 67 and 68; and the county Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Eligible for CPE credits for CPAs. Instructor is Kenneth Pun, CPA CGFM, Managing Partner and the Director of the Governmental and Not-for Profit Practice of the Pun Group – Accountants & Advisors. 

Storytelling and Other Leadership Practices in the Art of Persuasion 

Friday, March 10, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Riverside County
Friday, April 7, 2017 – Sacramento

Persuasion is an attempt to evoke a voluntary change in the attitude or behavior of another person. Effective leaders are able to tell stories that speak to others and markedly influence their behaviors. Through hands-on activities the class explores elements of story-telling and how to construct and use stories in the practice of leadership. Participants examine case studies and experiences to develop their own stories. Other practices examined include metaphors, humor, reciprocation, contrast and conformity. These tools are placed in the context of enhancing the transaction between leader and follower and authentically hearing the needs of listeners. Instructor is Bill Chiat, Dean of the CSAC Institute and has been a practitioner of leadership (and storytelling) for 40 years.

Labor Relations and Negotiations 

Thursday, March 16, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Contra Costa County

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

County Financial Reporting and Budgeting for Nonfinancial Professionals 

Friday, March 17, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Merced County

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′ 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 for reading financial statements and auditor reports to identify critical information and understand what it means … in plain English! Instructor is Laura Lindal, CPA, an experienced auditor and an instructor for the California CPA Education Foundation.

Leading with Emotional Intelligence

Thursday, March 23, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Sacramento
Friday, June 9, 2017 – Riverside 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 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) Understanding Yourself, 2) Managing Yourself, 3) Understanding Others and 4) Managing Others. Participants take an assessment to determine EI strengths, and hands on tools to enhance EI are 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 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.  

Supporting the Next Generation — Collaborative Approaches and Funding to Support Youth 

Friday, March 24, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Sacramento

NEW! This course will address the pressing challenges facing counties related to low-income youth and their families. County leaders will learn from their peers about a range of funding, programmatic solutions and partnerships in the following areas: advancing youth health, development and workforce-readiness; crime and truancy prevention; supporting the needs of homeless and foster youth; and developing sustainable funding streams to support youth. Strategies will be shared to: assess and prioritize the most pressing issues concerning low-income youth and their families; identify collaborative opportunities that leverage existing community resources to advance the well-being of youth; identify policy options to address high priority issues; steps and strategies to establishing a successful children’s fund; and applying lessons learned from other counties. Instructors include County Supervisors and experts from the Institute for Local Government.