OVERVIEW
Leadership skills are more important than ever for members of local elected boards. Regardless of the type of special district, boards face many common challenges, including rising costs, added state and federal mandates, increased voter resistance to tax and fee increases, interpersonal conflicts, and ideological rifts in the community that spill into board politics.
For over a decade, PSU’s Center for Public Service has conducted a highly popular leadership “boot camp” for newly elected city council members across Oregon. Drawing on similar research on board effectiveness, we are now offering practical training that focuses on the specific needs of special district boards. Both veteran and newly-minted elected officials will benefit from the session, learning tips for increased board success and individual leadership effectiveness.
An important element of the session deals with the relationship between the board and the board’s chief executive officer. We highly encourage the CEO (executive director, superintendent, fire chief, or whatever title is bestowed by your district) to also participate in the session.
To make the training accessible across the state, we are offering the training live remote via Zoom.
Others are also welcome to attend - such as currently serving officials, top-level administrators, or citizen advisory board members.
GOAL
To help you to shine in your role as a local elected official. Topics covered in this half-day, intensive workshop include:
- Opportunities and Constraints: Understanding your role as an elected board member;
- Ground Rules: Forging effective working relationships with fellow board members;
- Your New Best Friend: Constructing a productive working relationship with your chief executive officer;
- Lines that Matter: The key differences between policy and implementation;
- Driving in Your Lane: Working in partnership with your staff;
- Effective Delegation: How to work with other boards, task forces, and advisory groups;
- Within the Fishbowl: Representing yourself and your board in public settings;
- Effective meetings: Everyone’s responsibility, not just the presiding officer’s;
- Keeping Faith with your Voters: Effectively promoting your own priorities;
- Building Consensus: How you can – and when you shouldn’t try.
The session combines brief presentations that draw on research and practical experience in board effectiveness with hands-on practice with scenarios that are based on real-life challenges faced by special district boards.
PRICING
In-Person Option: $360 per person & $200 for every additional person from the same jurisdiction- Zoom Option: $300 per person & $170 for every additional person from the same jurisdiction
Note: This professional certificate is offered as not-for-credit, and will not appear on your PSU transcript.
Cancellations: To receive a full refund, a written request to drop/withdraw from a course must be received by the Program Coordinator by 5pm, 7 business days prior to the event.
FACILITATORS
Scott Lazenby, Ph.D.: Scott has had a forty-year career in city management, most recently serving as city manager of Lake Oswego and Sandy, Oregon. In that role, he has worked closely with a wide variety of special districts. Scott is past-president of the Oregon City/County Management Association, and has local government experience in Washington and Arizona. In addition to his PhD in Public Administration and Policy from PSU’s Hatfield School of Government
Joe Hertzberg: recently retired from a long career as a consultant specializing in strategy, leadership, and organization. He co-founded Solid Ground Consulting and was formerly on the Political Science faculty at Yale University. He helped many local governments set goals, make tough decisions, and figure out how to work together effectively. Clients included governing boards of cities, school districts, counties, and special districts across Oregon.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Scott Lazenby, Lead Facilitator
slazenby@pdx.edu
Nicole Savara-Brown, Administrative Program Assistant
nsavara@pdx.edu
PSU Center for Public Service
publicservice@pdx.edu
(503) 725-8261