"Serving government, serving Georgia" is more than a description of what the Carl Vinson Institute of Government does each day. For more than 80 years, it has been our guiding principle, as we have served the state by providing leaders practical and necessary support—support that has encompassed a wide range of services to help governments function more effectively, research and policy analysis vital to making informed decisions, and education that strengthens knowledge and governing skills.

In 2007, a number of complex issues challenged governments at all levels. For example, Savannah sought to become more competitive in recruiting and retaining a talented workforce, and we helped implement a new employee classification/compensation plan. Gwinnett County looked for ways to improve decision making and procedures, and faculty conducted a comprehensive county ethics ordinance study. Another study helped look ahead at the economic impact of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). As governments at all levels are doing, the Georgia Department of Transportation faced the nearly overwhelming task of transitioning data and old procedures to more usable formats, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology helped make data more accessible.

As policymakers seek ways to support Georgia's children and our future, the Child and Family Policy Initiative brings together timely research and knowledge from around the university to help inform public policy affecting children and their families. Leaders at all levels continually seek the skills to do their job better, and continuing education and development opportunities attracted officials from new legislators to state agency personnel to city and county officials. Training programs for public officials in China took our public administration expertise abroad and brought international leaders here to enrich Georgia's global knowledge.

As a public service and outreach unit of the University of Georgia, the Vinson Institute has a deep commitment to serving Georgia by helping meet the needs of governments at all levels and striving to be a pioneer in government innovations. In the ways cited here and many others (for more, see vinsoninstitute.org), we have worked with governments in Georgia and around the world to develop the knowledge and skills that public officials need to manage effectively in the 21st century.

Steve Wrigley