2024 Spring 2-Day Training Event

Brasstown Valley Resort
GMA will hold the two-day 2024 Spring Training Event April 11-12 at Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris. The event features four 6-hour classes on Thursday, April 11 and four 6-hour classes on Friday, April 12.

The Thursday, April 11 6-hour classes are: 

  • Community and Media Relations*
  • Current Issues Class: Health In All Policies — Impactful Local Decision-Making to Ensure Healthier Communities
  • Effective Branding and Marketing Strategies for Municipal Governments
  • Municipal Law*

The Friday, April 12 6-hour classes are:  

  • Creating a Downtown Renaissance: Advanced DDA Training
  • Governing the Commons: Collective Decision-Making in Complex Systems*+
  • Making Cultural Diversity Work*
  • Public Presentations and Meet the Media                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
    • *This class is on the required list for the Municipal Training Institute Certificate Program.
    • +This class is in the Training Institute’s Advanced Leadership Track and is required to earn the Certificate of Dedication. 

  • Cancellation Policy:  Cancellations after March 15 incur a $50.00 per class cancellation fee.  Cancellations after April 1 will not be refunded.

  • Lodging:  GMA has reserved rooms at Brasstown Resort for the rate of $169 plus taxes and fees. Reservations MUST be made by March 22, 2024. To make reservations, call 706-379-9900 and ask for the GMA rate or book online at the following link: GMA Spring Training. 
When
4/11/2024 8:30 AM - 4/12/2024 3:30 PM
Eastern Daylight Time
Where
Brasstown Valley Resort 6321 US-76, Young Harris 30582
Registration is closed.
Event Contact
Ms. Aileen L. Harris - Phone: (678) 686-6293

Program

Thursday, 11 April 2024

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 on the required list.
Time
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Spots available
18
8:30 AM
Effective Branding and Marketing Strategies
Effective Branding and Marketing Strategies for Municipal Governments Branding and marketing are critical components of economic and community development that set healthy, thriving cities apart in the minds of residents and visitors. Discover how to effectively differentiate your community, gain a better understanding of how to build synergy and excitement, and tell your compelling story by applying best practices of branding and marketing. Key components include: marketing your assets, building a distinctive brand message and identity, utilizing strategic marketing approaches, and using effective tools and techniques for impactful results and return on investment (ROI). This class will explore how cities can develop their brand message/identity and develop implementable strategies to effectively market their community and assets.
Time
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Spots available
29
8:30 AM
Health In All Policies — Impactful Local Decision-Making
Current Issues Class: Health In All Policies — Impactful Local Decision-Making to Ensure Healthier Communities Decisions made at the local level can have positive and negative impacts on the health and wellbeing of a community, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In this class, participants will learn about how the Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach to decision-making can be applied in cities of all sizes. HiAP recognizes that many factors beyond access to healthcare impact health and wellbeing. These factors include educational attainment, housing, transportation options, neighborhood safety, food insecurity and scarcity, and access to parks and recreation, among others. Examples of how the HiAP approach has been used in Georgia cities include: 1) addressing pedestrian safety through the Vision Zero program to decrease traffic deaths; 2) improving police/community relations; 3) changing planning and zoning regulations to improve health outcomes and housing stability; and 4) meeting state and federal accreditation requirements for local police departments. During the class, city officials will learn about the Social Determinants of Health and acquire the skills and knowledge to find and utilize appropriate data sources and build partnerships with public health partners and other stakeholders to achieve common goals.
Time
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Spots available
27
8:30 AM
Municipal Law*
This class provides an overview of the major sources of municipal authority and the limitations of 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 foundation for understanding the liability and immunity of cities, elected officials and municipal employees. If time permits, this class may also address working with the city attorney. *This class is on the required list.
Time
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Spots available
29
8:30 AM

Friday, 12 April 2024

Description
Creating a Downtown Renaissance: Advanced DDA Training
Pre-requisite: Downtown Development Authority Basic Training This class builds on the Downtown Development Authority Basic Training class with an emphasis on applying downtown development tools. The importance of developing a downtown vision and a plan are discussed. Attendees also hear the basics of navigating Business Improvement Districts, Community Improvement Districts, Tax Allocation Districts, Historic Preservation Tax Credits, the Redevelopment Powers Act and Urban Redevelopment Law. Best practice examples of utilizing federal, state and local partnerships, programs and incentives are shared. Class participants are given an opportunity to immediately apply the tools and programs highlighted in the class through a case study exercise.
Time
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Spots available
23
8:30 AM
Governing the Commons: Collective Decision-Making *+
Governing the Commons: Collective Decision-Making in Complex Systems*+  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? How should costs and benefits be allocated? *This class is on the required list. +This class is in the Training Institute's Advanced Leadership Track.
Time
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Spots available
23
8:30 AM
Making Cultural Diversity Work*
Cultural diversity training is essential because our country, states, cities and organizations are comprised of individuals from various cultural, racial and ethnic groups. As we work to improve relationships within our organizations and communities, we must leverage the strength of diversity, become inclusive leaders and facilitate essential conversations within our various groups. These skills will lead to collaborative efforts that ensure efficient and effective government. *This class is on the required list.
Time
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Spots available
21
8:30 AM
Public Presentations and Meet the Media
This class teaches municipal officials how to be more effective when speaking to groups or addressing the media. Techniques for developing presentation content and delivery, as well as tips for effectively dealing with the media, are shared. As part of the class, participants make a brief presentation to their classmates. This class is limited to 40 participants.
Time
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Spots available
26
8:30 AM

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