Now’s the time to act on your resolution to build your professional capacity. January is full of valuable classes to kick off your year. We’re proud to add our newest campus in Redding hosted by Shasta and Tehama Counties. Also check out the special seminar for those aspiring to be department heads, and the launch of the on-line MPA degree program. Download the entire schedule of January-June classes. We have a great line-up for you. Seating is limited and classes fill quickly.

Register now!

The CSAC Institute for Excellence in County Government 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.

Thinking Strategically in Trying Times

Thursday, Jan 11, 2018 - 10:00 to 3:30 - Shasta/Tehama Campus

This intense seminar discusses the challenges of strategic agility with the critical, enduring problems counties face. The focus is on the art of possibilities. Participants examine separating probabilities (what’s likely to happen) from possibilities (what could happen) and applying concepts of creative and strategic thinking to find different paths to solutions. The conversation provides strategies to question assumptions; identify the environmental issues; distinguish strategies from tactics; use team resources, and structure learning from experience. Instructor is Dr. Rich Callahan, associate professor of management at the University of San Francisco.  

To Do or Not To Do: Leadership in Decision-Making

Friday, Jan. 12, 2018 - 10:00 to 3:30 – San Bernardino County Campus

Join former Nebraska State Senator Dave Landis for this engaging and entertaining discussion of how to work with others to solve community and organizational problems, particularly in this era of divisiveness. This course examines a variety of problem solving and decision-making practices which will improve the likelihood of achieving your desired objectives. Case examples demonstrate application of ideas and challenge participants to consider alternative approaches in dealing with community and organizational problems and opportunities. Participants gain hands-on experience with using the tools and exploring application to real world situations. Instructor is David Landis, former long-time Nebraska state senator, university instructor and economic development director for Lincoln, NB. 

Art and Practice of Organizational Leadership

Friday Jan. 12, 2018 - 10:00 to 3:30 – Sacramento Campus

This interactive course designed for both experienced and new senior county managers explores the practical applications of leadership in creating a high performing county organization - especially in the difficult environments counties operate. Participants engage in discussions of key practices in formal and informal leadership, particularly in achieving sustainable change; employee engagement and team-building strategies; leadership when you’re not in charge; and techniques for developing a vital workplace culture which supports organizational members. Instructor is Dr. Frank Benest, former city manager of Palo Alto and a noted expert in organizational leadership and management. 

Negotiations and Collaboration in Complex Environments

Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Contra Costa County Campus

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 negotiating 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. 

Building and Maintaining a Team Environment

Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Sacramento 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.  

Manage Conflict (Even Hostility) in Comfort

Friday, Jan. 19, 2018 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Merced 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 a professor at the USC Marshall School of Business. 

Subrecipient Monitoring

Thursday, Jan. 25, 2017 - 9:30 to 3:30 – Sacramento Campus 

In California, state agencies receive federal grants for social services and make subawards to California counties. The counties, in turn, frequently make awards to nonprofit organizations that actually provide the services. The Uniform Grant Guidance requires counties to actively monitor their subrecipients. Further, counties must review the subrecipient monitoring activities and report on them. If the auditee has not complied with the requirements, there could be significant impacts: financially; ability to provide services; grantee’s reputation; or access to future grants. This course identifies the federal requirements for subrecipient monitoring; how to determine the Single Audit requirements for subrecipient monitoring; strategies to build collaborative relationships with subrecipients through monitoring; and the recommended steps to conduct the monitoring. Eligible for CPE credits for CPAs and MCLE credits for members of the bar. Instructor is Sefton Boyars, CPA, CGFM, CFS, former federal auditor general and instructor for the California CPA Education Foundation.

County Financial Reporting and Budget for Non-Financial Professionals

Friday, Jan. 26, 2018 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Sacramento Campus 

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 foot 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 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.