2022 Fall 2-Day Training Event

GMA will hold the two-day 2022 Fall Training Event September 22-23, 2022 at Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris. The event will feature four six-hour classes on Thursday and four six-hour classes on Friday.

The Thursday classes are: DDA Basic, Economic Development, How Shall We Live? and Planning and Zoning and The Friday classes are: Ethics, Public Problems, Democratic Decisions, Municipal Finance II and Community and Media Relations. The fee for each class is $275.

If you are unable to pay by credit card, please contact Aileen Harris at (678) 686-6293.

Cancelation Policy: Cancelations after August 31 incur a $50 per class cancelation fee. Cancelations after September 16 will not be refunded.

Lodging: GMA has reserved a block of rooms at Brasstown Valley Resort, The room rate is $169 + 12% state and local taxes plus a $15 resort fee . To make reservations, please call 706.379.9900 or 1.800.201.3205 (ask for the Georgia Municipal Association rate). . If the hotel is sold out for your desired dates, GMA has a small block at The Ridges Resort The rate for The Ridges is $139++. It is about 2 miles from and on the same road as the Brasstown Valley Resort. Make reservation online at The Ridges Resort with block code is GANA2002, or contact the main reservation number at 706-896-2262, ext#1. The block expires on 9/2/22.

Please be mindful of the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute attendance policy: To receive credit, a participant must attend the entire class. For three-hour classes, anyone arriving more than 15 minutes after the class begins, leaving class repeatedly or leaving class early will not receive credit. Class completion forms must be signed by the participant and the instructor and provided to the instructor at the end of the class. Class instructors will not sign class completion forms in the event the attendance criteria cited herein is not met by the participant.

When

9/22/2022 8:30 AM - 9/23/2022 3:30 PM
Eastern Daylight Time

Where

Brasstown Valley Resort 6321 US-76 Young Harris, GA 30582 UNITED STATES

Registration is closed.

Event Contact

Ms. Aileen L. Harris - Phone: (678) 686-6293

Program

Select programs by

Thursday, 01 September 2022

Description
Cancelation Fee When 9/1/2022 8:30 AM - 9/16/2022 4:30 PM 8:30 AM

Thursday, 22 September 2022

Description
Downtown Development Authority Basic Training This class is primarily directed at those who serve on Downtown Development Authorities, but it is open to all city officials. Topics include: management of downtown as a valuable resource; the role of the authority, board mem¬bers and staff; DDA laws; and the day-to-day operations of a Downtown Development Authority. This class is limited to 50 participants. Category Train Time 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM 8:30 AM
Economic Development This class provides a basic overview of the economic development process, with a focus on the strategies, resources and programs employed by the state of Georgia to assist communities in achieving success in today’s global economy. Topics such as community development building blocks, business development strategies, regional cooperation and the role of local leadership in economic development are covered. This class is on the required list. Category Train Time 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM 8:30 AM
How Shall We Live? Practical Ethics for Public Life Completion of the Certificate of Achievement is a pre-requisite. Ethics is often seen as something that is lacking in public officials, and therefore must be imposed on them through laws and training. Ethics training may promote awareness and compliance, but it does not promote ethical excellence. In this class, participants explore the advantages and limitations of codified ethics; how values, morality, virtue, character and obligations play out in everyday decision making; why ethical dilemmas arise and how we resolve them; virtues and temptations of leadership; and how public service constitutes a moral and ethical enterprise for public leaders. This class is limited to 35 participants. This class is on the required list and on the Advanced Leadership Track. Category Train Time 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM 8:30 AM
Planning and Zoning This class examines the difficult choices municipal officials encounter in stimulating economic well-being, protecting public infrastructure investment and maintaining environmental integrity. It examines legal considerations for planning and zoning, the role of the mayor and council and practical steps for maintaining a comprehensive plan and effective zoning procedures. In addition, the class highlights issues, barriers and policy solutions associated with efforts to achieve desirable patterns of development. This class is on the required list. Category Train Time 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM 8:30 AM

Friday, 23 September 2022

Description
Community and Media Relations This class examines the importance of building effective working relationships with the media and the role the media plays in informing the public and shaping their opinion of municipal governments. Advice for repairing poor relationships is provided, along with insights on when and how to speak with reporters, especially during times of crisis. This class is limited to 40 participants. This class is on the required list. Category Train Time 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM 8:30 AM
Ethics This class examines the importance of ethical conduct in the administration of one’s public duties and how ethical lapses can severely damage the reputation of both individual officeholders and the city. An overview of state ethics laws and regulations that apply to municipal officials, including campaign financing and private interest disclosure requirements, is provided. Ethical dilemmas that often confront public officials and the value of strong local ethics ordinances are also discussed. This class is on the required list. Category Train Time 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM 8:30 AM
Municipal Finance II This class emphasizes the importance of establishing sound financial policies and provides participants with a better understanding of how to read and understand audited city financial statements, assess the effectiveness of internal accounting controls and manage a city’s cash and investments. This class may be taken before or after Municipal Finance I. This class is on the required list. Category Train Time 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM 8:30 AM
Public Problems, Democratic Decisions Public Problems, Democratic Decisions - The Governing Role of Mayors and Councilmembers: Public officials will explore the democratic context of leading and governing. It addresses the role of elected officials in a democratic society, the relationship between elected and appointed officials, the core values underlying public problems and choices, and the reasons why councils can make better choices than individuals. The goals of this class are to help public officials better understand their roles in leading and governing their communities, to develop a better understanding of what councils do and why, and to develop practical skills in public problem solving and decision making. Participants learn how to use public problems to discuss the kind of community they want to build and how to ensure that their choices and decisions preserve the fundamental goals of our democratic society. This class is on the required list and on the Advanced Leadership Track. Category Train Time 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM 8:30 AM