Newsworthy

January-March 2012 (Vol. 11, No. 1)

Managers Get Insights into Their Performance with GOV360™
With the launch of GOV360™, the Institute's 360-degree performance assessment tool developed specifically for the government setting, government executives, managers, and supervisors can learn more about their leadership strengths and areas for growth and tailor professional development to their individual needs. (more)

Environmental Program to Help Governments Prepare for Rising Waters
Local governments along Georgia's coast will be better able to predict and prepare for rising sea levels with the help of experts from the Institute's Environmental Policy Program and advanced geographic information systems (GIS) technology. Sea level rise could have important impacts on growth and land management, beach erosion, infrastructure, and disaster preparedness. (more)

Institute Assists Athens-Clarke with Economic Development Planning
The 27-member task force charged with formulating an economic development plan for Athens-Clarke County is relying on the Institute to help it conduct a visioning process, manage group meetings and public input sessions, and produce a final economic development report. (more)

International Center Hosts Chinese Forestry Group
Eighteen members of the China State Forestry Administration visited Georgia forests and met with experts through a program coordinated by the Institute's International Center and the UGA Warnell School of Forestry. The group received training on public forestland management and discussed potential collaborations between UGA and Chinese forestry schools. (more)

New and Veteran Municipal Officials Invest in Training
At Mayor's Day in January, more than 750 city elected officials took advantage of training and development opportunities on topics ranging from taxation to planning and zoning, and 5 officials were recognized with Certificates of Distinction for having participated in at least 204 hours of continuing education. (more) Elected officials new to city government received essential information about their roles and responsibilities and key concepts in municipal governance at the Newly Elected Officials Institutes in Athens and Tifton. (more)

Study Estimates Economic Impact of UGA Public Service at $333m
A recent study estimated that the activities of UGA's eight Public Service and Outreach units, of which the Vinson Institute is one, generated an economic impact of $333 million in 2011 in the state economy and supported 3,370 jobs. (more)

Financial Management Program Releases Budgeting Course Online
With the release of Introductory Budgeting, local government finance officials and others have convenient and cost-effective access to eight courses online. Introductory Budgeting is a core requirement in the Local Finance Officer Certification Program and teaches the basic concepts behind budgets as well as how to prepare revenue estimates and budget summaries. (more)

Bainbridge to Improve Access to Digital Parcel Maps
Decision makers and residents of the City of Bainbridge will have a more convenient way to access information about real estate property values, zoning, utilities, and more with a digital parcel mapping system being developed by the Institute's GIS specialists. (more)

Institute Welcomes Familiar Faces to New Leadership Roles
Laura Meadows was appointed by UGA Vice President for Public Service and Outreach Jennifer Frum as director of the Institute after having served as interim director since July 2011. Meadows arrived at the Institute in 2009 as associate director of the training division. (more) On March 9, Dennis Epps accepted the role of Institute deputy director. He will continue to serve as associate director of the Governmental Services and Research division until a search finds a replacement. (more)

Institute Delivers Financial and Management Training to Lone Star State
Through an agreement with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, small libraries in Texas, like Georgia libraries, are able to take advantage of the Vinson Institute's management and financial training programs. Vinson Institute faculty are conducting two-day workshops in multiple locations to help give library employees the knowledge and skills they need to improve organizational efficiency and better serve their communities. (more)

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