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For more than 80 years, the Vinson Institute has worked with public officials throughout Georgia and around the world to improve governance and people's lives. From Georgia's early days as a largely agrarian state with a modest population to its modern-day status as a national and international force in business, industry, and politics with a population of almost 10 million, the Institute has helped government leaders navigate change and forge strong directions for a better Georgia.
Press Releases > New County Commissioners Train for Government Office

New County Commissioners Train for Government Office : December 5, 2008

Contact: Courtney Yarbrough, cryarb@uga.edu; 706.542.6221

[High Resolution Photo] Athens, Ga. – The 2008 Newly Elected County Commissioners Conference drew 213 of Georgia’s new county officials to Athens on December 2–5. The conference is a biennial event coordinated by the/ UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government and the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) to give freshmen commissioners the opportunity to network and learn about their upcoming responsibilities.

The participants benefited from three-and-a-half days of intensive instruction about what county government does and how it gets it done. Topics included the role of the commissioner, county government organization, finances, ethics, legal issues, Georgia’s changing demographics, and taxation.

Vinson Institute faculty and ACCG officials conducted the sessions. Current and veteran commissioners also shared their experiences and advice with the newly elected. This year’s class of 213 commissioners was a sharp increase from the 140 commissioners in attendance at the 2006 conference.

On the opening day of the conference, Vinson Institute local government programs training manager Gordon Maner conducted an activity called Egg Drop Soup. The commissioners were divided into teams and given a raw egg, materials, and instructions on how to construct an apparatus that would protect the egg when dropped.

“Egg Drop Soup was designed to promote team-work and consensus building skills,” commented Maner. “The participants had a good time working together toward a goal, which made them think about working together as a commission. It was a great icebreaker to get the conference started.”

Athens-Clarke County Commissioner Andy Herod expressed his appreciation for the information presented at the conference. Having been elected in 2007 and already served in county government, Herod said, “I know that many of the ideas presented here will be valuable to newly elected commissioners. When you first take office, you don’t know exactly what to expect. This conference provides many useful insights into the role and responsibilities of county representatives and how important decision making actually takes place.”

Writer: Courtney Yarbrough

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