2021 Fall Training Event

GMA will hold the two-day Fall Training Event on October 28-29 at the Classic Center in Athens. Classes are six hours each and the fee for each class is $275. Those eligible for training certificates will receive six hours of credit for completing each class. Classes on Thursday, Oct. 28 are: Downtown Development Authority Basic Training, Governing the Commons: Collective Decision Making in Complex Systems, Municipal Long-Term Budgeting, and Municipal Law. Classes on Friday, October 29 are: Building Community Capacity Through Tourism, Conflict Resolution, Municipal Finance II and How Shall We Live? Practical Ethics for Public Life. Cancellation Policy: Cancelations before October 15 will be refunded with a $50 processing fee. Cancelations after October 15 will not be refunded.

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

Lodging: GMA has reserved a block of rooms at the Hyatt Place Athens. Rooms are $99.00 plus tax, and $10 per night per vehicle for parking. Hyatt Signature breakfast service is included in the room rate. The group code is: “G-GMA2”. Make hotel night reservations by calling the hotel at 1-888-492-8847 or 706-425-1800 then press “1” . Please make sure have the group code handy when you book. You can also book online at the following link with the group code already filled in: https://athensdowntown.place.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html?corp_id=g-gma2

The hotel block expires September 23, 2021.

When

10/28/2021 8:30 AM - 10/29/2021 3:30 PM
Eastern Daylight Time

Where

300 N. Thomas Street Athens, GA 30601 UNITED STATES

Registration is closed.

Event Contact

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

Program

Select programs by

Thursday, 28 October 2021

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 members and staff; DDA laws; and the day-to-day operations of a Downtown Development Authority. Time 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM 8:30 AM
Governing the Commons: Collective Decision Making in Comple Making decisions within a single jurisdiction is complicated enough, but relatively simple compared to the complexity of decisions multiple jurisdictions must often make among themselves. In this class, participants explore first-hand some of the critical leadership challenges involved in collective decision making, such as: How should such decisions be made? What form should they take? How should they be governed, monitored and enforced? Time 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM 8:30 AM
Municipal Law This class provides an overview of the major sources of municipal authority and the limitations on that authority, including constitutional and statutory law. Municipal charters and ordinances are discussed and participants are encouraged to read their city’s charter before attending this class. How to enter into legal contracts is reviewed. This class also provides a basic foundation for understanding the liability and immunity of cities, elected officials and municipal employees. If time permits, this course may also address working with the city attorney. Time 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM 8:30 AM
Municipal Long-Term Budgeting This class is intended to serve as a follow-up to Municipal Finance I. Topics will address long-term budget requirements for capital asset renewal and replacement, capital improvements, pension and other employment benefit costs and compensated absences. Time 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM 8:30 AM

Friday, 29 October 2021

Description
Building Community Capacity Through Tourism It is important to learn about tourism’s benefit to our economy in creating jobs, attracting businesses, developing new attractions, bolstering new market segments, enhancing quality of life and inspiring creativity. This course will feature class discussions about what local officials can do to create a cohesive community tourism based economy through working with partners; policies that support tourism; navigating through crises, funding sources available for tourism projects; and best practices from around the state. Presentations of real-life success stories will enhance your learning experience and help you think about ways to build community capacity through tourism! Time 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM 8:30 AM
Conflict Resolution This class explores strategies and techniques for successfully resolving conflict through negotiation and mediation. Emphasis is placed on identifying the sources of conflict and the personality styles of the parties involved. Time 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM 8:30 AM
How Shall We Live? Practical Ethics for Public Life 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. 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. Time 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM 8:30 AM