Overview
The Municipal Training Board seeks to provide an avenue for cities in a geographic area to request to host a Municipal Training Institute class that can address common problems, open productive dialogue, and encourage regional collaboration.
Goals for the Program
One of the primary goals of the regional training program is to bring training opportunities closer to Georgia’s municipalities, particularly those smaller communities that often do not have the financial resources to attend statewide events. By working with a host city that can provide a suitable venue, regional training classes can help defray the cost of attending training by reducing registration fees and minimizing travel expenses, including hotel stays. Another goal of the regional training program is to provide an opportunity for multiple cities in an area of the state to come together in a training institute class to learn more about an issue that is impacting the district or region and discuss ways in which they can work together to address the issue.
Process
- Mayors, councilmembers, city managers or city clerks interested in hosting a regional class from the Municipal Training Institute catalog of programs in their city or region shall complete and submit the online form linked below.
- Upon receipt of a completed online form, GMA staff will notify the relevant Municipal Training Board member (or members) in the region and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government.
- GMA and CVIOG staff, along with members of the Training Board are available to collectively work with the potential host city and collaborative cities as needed to identify a municipal training institute class that will be beneficial for the particular region.Guidance: Class topics should be of interest to multiple cities in the region and class attendees should represent three or more cities in the region. Advanced Leadership Track courses, multi-day courses, and mobile workshops are not eligible for a regional class request.
- Regional class requests will be reviewed and approved/disapproved by a subcommittee consisting of the Training Board member(s) representing the GMA district where the proposing host city is located and GMA and CVIOG staff. This subcommittee will review the request, examine the full schedule of upcoming classes and instructor availability, and determine whether or not the requested class would complement the year’s training opportunities. The subcommittee may suggest an alternate class, date, or venue to the proposer that better aligns with Municipal Training Board’s program goals.
- Notification of approval or denial of the regional class request will be given to the host city’s point of contact no later than 90 days following receipt of the completed request form.
Guidelines
- Regional Classes are required to have a minimum of 20 paid participants and participants should represent three or more cities in the region or area. The registration fee for a three-hour regional class is $125 per individual. The registration fee for a six-hour regional class is $185 per individual.
- When considering the venue, the involved Training Board member(s), GMA staff, and CVIOG staff will work cooperatively with the proposed host city to find a venue that can: accommodate the expected number of participants (and others in case of strong demand), provide convenient access to the greatest number of cities, and deliver the appropriate learning environment that is consistent with the current quality expectations of the Municipal Training Board.
- When considering the topic and the date suggested, proposers are advised that on occasion, there will be challenges with bandwidth or resources that may disallow the proposal from being accepted on the timetable desired by the proposer. The subcommittee may not be able to accommodate all requests.
- Requests that are discussed and vetted with the impacted Municipal Training Board members in advance will receive the strongest consideration and priority. Collaboration between the proposed host city and other regional partners will strengthen the proposal and allay the potential for unhappy feelings and disappointment for unsuccessful proposers.
- Regional class request forms may be submitted throughout the calendar year in order to meet the needs of communities in a timely fashion. As noted above, notification of approval or denial will be provided to the host city’s point of contact no later than 90 days following receipt of the completed request form. Class proposals not submitted before September 1st will not be included in the following year’s printed training schedule.
- No more than two (2) regional classes will be offered throughout the state per quarter.
- Due to the heavy volume of training in January and June, these months will be excluded from consideration for regional training classes.
- Forms shall be formally endorsed by a representative (Chief Elected Official, City Manager/Administrator, or City Clerk) of the host city and a representative of any partner cities prior to submission. At least three (3) possible dates should be submitted on the form, listed in order of preference, and CVIOG or GMA staff will coordinate with qualified instructors to select the most suitable date to schedule the class.
- Expenses for meals, breaks, and educational materials will be handled by GMA and will be included in the registration fee. In order to keep registration costs to a minimum, the host city shall provide the venue at no expense to GMA.
- Audio visual equipment required includes: display screens, Wi-Fi availability, flip charts, and effective sound system for audio. If room acoustics are sufficient, GMA/CVIOG staff may waive the requirement for a sound system. GMA/CVIOG will provide laptop and LED projectors as needed (if they are not available at the venue).
FAQ - Question and Answer
Q: What if there is a vacancy on the Municipal Training Board representing my district?
A: In the event there is a vacancy on the training board in a particular district the Municipal Training Board Chair, Vice-Chair, or an at-large member will serve on the subcommittee to consider the submitted proposal.
Q: What kind of classes can be requested?
A: Most of the Required and Elective class options in the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute catalogue can be requested, based on the needs of the district, area, or region. Classes from the Advanced Leadership Track, Mobile Workshops, and multi-day classes like the Robert E. Knox, Jr. Municipal Leadership Institute and Georgia Academy for Economic Development class are not eligible for a regional class request. The Heart & Soul Downtown Workshop is also not an eligible class for regional class consideration.
Q: Can we request a training class for more than 20 people?
A: Yes, depending upon the particular class. Some classes are more suitable for a larger class format, while others are not. These factors will be examined during the review and approval process.
Q: Will the class be opened up to additional registrants?
A: If the host location can accommodate more than the required 20 participants and a larger class size is approved by the subcommittee, any unfilled spaces will be offered to all GMA members on a first-come, first-served basis after the members from the requesting cities have registered. Cities are encouraged to invite all of their elected officials, as well as key city staff serving in positions relevant to the class topic.
Q: Do all of the participating cities have to be located in the same GMA District?
A: No. While the Regional Training Program is designed to promote regional and district collaboration, the Training Board recognizes that many cities that work together in a particular area might be located in different GMA Districts. Class requests should be focused on training that addresses common problems for municipalities located in a defined geographical area, regardless of district.
Q: What does the host city have to provide?
A: In addition to marketing and championing the class, the host city will provide a suitable event space for the number of participants requested for the class, with a minimum of 20 participants required. In order to help keep the registration fee low, the event space (to include any cleaning fees) and A/V needs shall be made available to the Training Institute at no cost. See guidelines above for details. If there is difficulty in locating a proper venue, CVIOG and GMA staff are available to assist and offer suggestions.
Q: Does the host city organize meals or lodging for staff members from CVIOG or GMA?
A: The host city is only responsible for providing a suitable event space to facilitate the training needs, including A/V needs. All other costs, including breakfast, lunch, refreshments, travel expenses, accommodations, and learning materials will be covered in the registration fee and arranged by GMA. However, recommendations for local caterers / restaurants to provide meals and refreshments during the training, as well as recommendations for lodging for any training guests who may inquire of such, would be greatly appreciated.
Request a Regional Training Class