ATLANTA, Ga. (May 14, 2013) – ACCG, Georgia’s county association, and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia recently recognized over 50 county officials for completing one of several commissioners’ training programs. The training certificates were presented at the 2013 ACCG Annual Conference held at the Savannah Civic Center.

“The leadership development programs provided by ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government provide county officials a solid foundation in county government management and help them understand the ever-changing complexities of local governance,” said ACCG Executive Director Ross King. “We strongly believe that continuing education is critical to effective local government leadership for both new and veteran commissioners alike and provide in-depth training opportunities to prepare county officials for the issues they will face.”

ACCG and the Vinson Institute have been providing leadership development and training certification programs for county commissioners and county staff members for over two decades. Commissioners who received certificates for the Commissioners Training Program have completed 48 hours of continuing education courses as well as a two-day leadership institute. Commissioners who received certificates for the Certified Commissioners Advanced Program (CCAP) completed an additional 48 hours of continuing education coursework. The Standard of Excellence Program recognizes continuing education hours above and beyond the completion of the other two programs for taking additional training courses, participating in ACCG committees and attending ACCG conference and other events. All of these training programs are voluntary.

This year, ACCG has launched a new approach to training called the ACCG Lifetime Leadership Academy. The required courses for the Commissioners Training Program have been modified and the Certified Commissioners Advanced Program is being transitioned to a new specialty program which allows county officials to focus their continuing education efforts in key areas such as revenue and finance, county operations, public health and safety and others.