AWC Pre-Conference CML Workshops

Dress casually! Pack plenty of comfortable casual clothes for all workshop sessions and social events.

All workshops and most meal events will take place at the Three Rivers Convention Center, 7016 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick 99336.

Wednesday, June 22

Pre-Conference Workshops
9 - 11:30 am
Three Rivers Convention Center

AWC pre-conference workshops require a separate $30 registration fee. Please select only one session.

Communicating in Tough Situations
Guarding the Public Checkbook
Economic Development Successes in the Tri-Cities: Collaboration in Action

Communicating in Tough Situations

Everyday at work we face difficult communication situations—with the public, community organizations, the council, city staff, the workplace and even at home. How can we handle these situations with grace and confidence both in person and in writing? This session will give you dozens of immediately usable practical tips on:

Communicating intentions so people don’t guess our motives.
Writing e-mails that move readers to respond.
Reacting to angry e-mail.
Handling complaints with empathy and a show of effort to resolve problems.
Thinking on your feet and using your voice to sound confident and intelligent.
Responding to criticism, hostility and angry citizens in public meetings.

You’ll also receive a booklet of communication tips that really work in all kinds of settings.

Trainer: Michael Buschmohle has recently been working on a customer service project for the City of Seattle. He teaches these difficult communication topics for city governments, the Department of Homeland Security in Maryland and in his MBA seminars in Beijing, China for business and government officials. President of Applause Associates, he is an author, artist, college instructor, former hospital training director and former Roman Catholic priest.

AWC Certificate of Municipal Leadership Course (2 Credits)

Guarding the Public Checkbook

As an elected official, just what are your financial oversight responsibilities? How do you guard the public checkbook without getting bogged down in distracting details? What can you do to avoid the most common financial mistakes made by elected officials? This practical session covers the essential pieces of your oversight role:

Recognizing the importance of structurally balanced budgets.
Deciding on the right fund balance level.
Distinguishing between recurring and non recurring monies.
Setting city council fiscal goals.
Avoiding micromanagement and complacency management.
Recognizing the four stages of fiscal meltdown.
Making sense of performance measures.

You’ll also receive a copy of Len Wood’s book, “Local Government Dollars and Sense: 225 Financial Tips for Guarding the Public Checkbook.” It’s filled with real world insights and excellent advice for electeds who want to establish financial credibility.

Trainer: Len Wood is a consultant and trainer for local governments, specializing in budget and fiscal issues. Before he put on his consultant’s hat, Len spent over 23 years in local government, mostly as a city manager. He’s also a professor for public policy and administration at Cal Poly Pomona and California State University Long Beach.

AWC Certificate of Municipal Leadership Course (2 Credits)

Economic Development Successes in the Tri-Cities: Collaboration in Action

(Includes a one-hour tour of an economic development site)

The Tri-Cities foster successful economic development by taking advantage of their unique geographic situation and by working collaboratively with other local governments and entities. The Tri-Cities are creating effective regional economic development with successes that include:

The Tri-Cities Enterprise Center (TEC), a small business and entrepreneurial incubator;
The Tri-City Industrial Development Council (TRIDEC), which assists companies relocating or expanding and works to ensure regional economic development competitiveness; and
The Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau, which creates coordinated tourism marketing on behalf of the Tri-Cities.

This session will feature economic development leaders throughout the region, who will:

Take you through the processes they used to create effective regional efforts.
Provide models of successful joint ventures.
Show you what it took to get major economic development projects completed - from start to finish.

And don't miss your opportunity to take an on-site tour of economic development achievements in the area - learn how to complete a major project and see, first-hand, what your efforts can accomplish.

Panel:
Rick Smith, Economic & Community Development Director, City of Pasco
Ken Nelson, Economic Development Director, City of Kennewick
Pete Squires, Community & Economic Development Director, City of West Richland
Diahann Howard, Economic Development Manager, City of Richland

AWC Certificate of Municipal Leadership Course (2 Credits)

3/1/05