Continue your professional growth with some great classes at the CSAC Institute for Excellence in County Government next month. Storytelling and teambuilding to a set of financial management classes are all featured in April. Classes fill quickly. Read on, and register now.

Check out the classes and register today. Download the Course Schedule for information on all the classes offered by the CSAC Institute for Excellence in County Government. The Institute 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.

APRIL CLASSES

Information Technology Business Innovation

Thursday, April 6, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Sacramento

Innovation in public sector organizations is typically focused on cost reduction and internal service optimization, rather than driving top-line growth through disruptive technologies. County IT departments – and CIOs – must move beyond effective delivery of core services and become true strategic partners. This course will help county IT leaders gain and manage the time, resources and processes of innovation to enable organizational innovation. They will learn to assess IT alignment with the organization, understand the innovation management process, gain and develop organizational diversity of experiences and idea exchange capabilities, and enable strategic resource allocation. Participants will learn how to move from trusted IT operator to organizational innovator.

Storytelling and Other Leadership Practices in the Art of Persuasion 

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

Persuasion has been identified as 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 storytelling 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 a practitioner of leadership (and storytelling) for 40 years.  

Building and Maintaining a Team Culture 

Friday, April 7, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Riverside County
Friday, June 2, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Sacramento County

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 CSU, Sacramento.  

Manage Conflict (Even Hostility) in Comfort 

Thursday, April 20 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Contra Costa County

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.

Intergenerational Leadership 

Friday, April 21, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Merced County

In today’s workplace we have to understand, communicate and interact with people from different eras, values and habits, and fundamentally different ideas about life. This class focuses on understanding and practicing how to integrate deeper generational insights into practice. Participants do self-assessments of their eras and their own values. They profile their work environments to discern the complexity of the generational mix. Most importantly they learn a unique set of skills and processes to employ when encountering people whose values, habits and business practices may be at odds with their own. This class provides participants skills to blend generations to get the best from everyone. Instructor is Larry Liberty, Ph.D. He works with Fortune 500 companies and teaches in MBA programs across the globe. 

TAKE THESE TWO FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT CLASSES TOGETHER:

Financial Management: Debt and Investment of Public Funds

Thursday, April 27, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Sacramento

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 experts from the CSAC Finance Corporation and county practitioners.  

Cost Principles, Reporting Requirements … and the “Supercircular” 

Friday, April 28, 2017 – 9:30 to 3:30 – Sacramento

On December 26, 2013, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget issued new reporting rules referred to as the “Supercircular.” This issuance impacts all general requirements for all entities - including counties and CBOs – which receive federal grants: administrative rules, cost principles and Single Audit requirements. Those new rules go into effect after Christmas, 2014. All persons and agencies who deal with federal grants will need to be aware of and prepared for the coming changes. In addition to the specifics of the Supercircular, the class will cover: administrative rules; cost principles – criteria for allowability; and single audit requirements. Course eligible for CPE credits for Certified Public Accountants. Instructor is Sefton Boyars, CPA, CGFM, CFS from the California Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA) Education Foundation and a former federal auditor-general.