April-June 2011 (Vol. 10, No. 2)
Murray Weed Heads Local Government Training
Murray Weed has joined the Vinson Institute team as the new manager of its local government training program, which provides professional development opportunities to thousands of local officials and staff each year. Murray brings with him rich experience gained from working in city and county governments in both appointed and elected positions and as an attorney. (more)
Institute Aids Governor's State Water Supply Planning
As water supply continues to be a critical issue in Georgia, the Vinson Institute is working with the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to provide information on water supply and project financing options and to help manage public meetings around the state. (more)
Training at GMA Convention Tops 1,000
More than 1,000 city officials at the Georgia Municipal Association Annual Convention in Savannah engaged in Vinson Institute leadership and professional development courses. The Institute introduced three new courses and offered a number of others to officials pursuing continuing education. (more)
Accounts Payable Course Introduced Online
Seven courses are now available online through the Institute with the launch of a new offering—Internal Controls: Accounts Payable and Cash Disbursements. The self-study program teaches government professionals about the importance of internal controls and how to implement them for improved fiscal soundness. (more)
Institute Faculty, Staff Receive Outstanding Service Awards
The UGA Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach honored the Institute's Walt McBride, Karen Payne, Lisa Kesler, and Mark Risse with awards for their exceptional contributions to the outreach mission of the university. (more)
Commissioners Awarded First Gold Standards
County Commissioners Preston Hawkins and Sammie Wilson were awarded the first Gold Standard of Excellence designations at the ACCG Annual Meeting in recognition of their exceptional commitment to lifelong learning. (more)
Vinson Institute Fellows Present Projects
Four undergraduate interns from the Vinson-Roosevelt Fellows Program presented their final projects on environmental, law enforcement, and international topics. The fellows spent the spring semester assisting Vinson Institute faculty, gaining first-hand experience in public service. (more)
Compliance Auditing Offered Free Online
The latest edition of Compliance Auditing in Georgia Counties and Municipalities has been released, this time as a free publication available online. Compliance Auditing is a guide for those responsible for conducting local government audits. (more)
Annual Report Highlights a Year of Outreach
The Vinson Institute's 2010 Annual Report explores the variety of ways we worked with state, local, and even international governments to help them respond effectively to their communities' current and future needs. (more)
