The CSAC Institute for Excellence in County Government is proud to offer an outstanding class lineup in May. Check out our new class on managing county marketing and branding initiatives — something many counties are exploring. Financial reporting, customer excellence, leading change, labor relations are all part of the schedule next month. Read on about next month’s classes and join us! Download the full schedule of Institute classes through June. 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. Discounts available when registering for three or more classes. 

May Classes

County Financial Reporting and Budgeting for Nonfinancial Professionals

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

This hands-on course provides tools for decision-makers, elected officials, and senior managers – other than accountants and auditors – who want to have a better understanding of government financial reporting. Participants discuss budgets, financial statements and the audit, and what each of those is saying (or not saying!). This is an ideal class to bring questions about terms or concepts you encounter in your interactions with county and government financial reporting. The discussion reviews terms and definitions used with financial reports and strategies on how to read 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.

Leadership and Change: Practices to Move People and Organizations 

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

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 change happens 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 the Institute and has worked for 35 years with hundreds of local agencies in crafting change.

Make Your County Count: Marketing and Branding Advice You Can Use

Friday, May 11, 2018 – 10:00AM – 3:30PM
Sacramento Campus

NEW! How do you craft a “county brand” and market your county? Learn how to reach your customers through a well-defined brand platform, a creative marketing strategy and effective executional tactics. Explore best practice strategies from other counties and industries, identify your specific needs and get a head start on your own marketing plan. Class is designed to help counties initiate and manage a marketing and branding effort. All in one productive day.

Instructor is Ram Kapoor, Chief Marketing Officer for the University of California, Berkeley.  

Manage Conflict (Even Hostility) in Comfort 

Friday, May 11, 2018 – 10:00AM – 3:30PM
San Bernardino County Campus

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 and professor at the USC Marshall School of Business. 

Customer Service in the Public Sector: Balancing Satisfaction with Priorities 

Thursday, May 17, 2018 – 10:00AM – 3:30PM
Contra Costa County Campus

Customer excellence is a hallmark for counties. This class helps managers and executives explore ways to create and enhance the customer service culture in their organization. Discussions explore how to balance good customer service with county and state regulations and requirements, and what defines good customer service and a service culture. Lively small and large group conversations provide tools to assess the current environment, gaps are to be more service oriented, and how to get there. Participants examine the structure and process to support and recognize effective customer service, even in difficult regulatory situations. Barriers to good customer service are examined 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

Friday, May 18, 2018 – 10:00AM – 3:30PM
Merced 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. 

Financing California Counties: The Definitive History 

Thursday, May 24, 2018 – 10:00AM – 3:30PM
Sacramento 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 is Diane Cummins, Special Advisor to the Governor on State and Local Realignment. 

Labor Relations and Negotiations in Local Government 

Friday, May 25, 2018 – 10:00AM – 3:30PM
Sacramento Campus

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.