To graduate from Level I, county officials must attend 27 contact hours of instruction composed of six required courses (18 contact hours) and any three elective courses (9 contact hours).  All courses offered are three contact hours.

– ALL SIX COURSES ARE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO GRADUATE –

Orientation to County Government II - This course is offered in December following the November election in even-numbered years as part of the Orientation for Newly-Elected Council Members and again at the Annual Conference that follows.  It continues to lay the groundwork for achieving maximum effectiveness as a county official.  Participants will learn about county government service provision in the 21st Century as well as ethics in government and the characteristics of an effective council.  Attention will be given to budget basics and funding sources; communication with constituents; relationships with other county officials and staff; and monitoring and evaluating organizational performance. Next class offered on 8/1/07 - SCAC Annual Conference.

Ethics and Public Service - Through lecture and small group discussions, participants will review the ethical environment in which public officials must function and the standards which they are expected to meet.  Topics include a discussion of ethical values and principles, models for resolving ethical dilemmas, and an overview of the South Carolina Ethics Act. Next class offered on 8/2/07 - SCAC Annual Conference. (Approved for 3 hrs of CE credit for P&Z officials & employees)

Legal Issues in County Government - In order to govern effectively, county officials must understand key legal issues.  Because South Carolina counties act under powers granted to them by the state, the first part of this course is devoted to the legal foundation of county government.  Forms of county government, county government authority, powers and duties of council members, and county liability issues will be covered.  The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act will also be discussed.  The second part of the course will concentrate on legal issues that shape county personnel administration.  Public sector labor law issues will be discussed to include the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as employment at will, discrimination, sexual harassment, drug testing, and grievance procedures. Next class offered on 8/1/07 - SCAC Annual Conference.

Planning and Zoning - This session is a facilitated discussion of local government planning and zoning.  It will review the requirements of the Comprehensive Planning Act of 1994.  The roles and relationships of County Council, the Planning Commission, and the Zoning Board of Appeals will be discussed.  Topics will include recruitment and orientation for members of the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals, the importance of rules of procedure and bylaws, and the value of long-range community planning. (Approved for 3 hrs of CE credit for P&Z officials & employees)

Public Budgeting - Participants will learn about county revenues, expenditures and the county budget process to include budget preparation and control, capital budgeting and debt administration.  Financial planning and policies and an overview of investment strategies will be discussed.  How to talk to your county financial personnel will also be covered.

Building an Effective County Team - This session focuses on the importance of the council functioning as an effective policy-making team.  Participants will have the opportunity to discuss the level of teamwork of their council (team) and their own contributions to and role in that team.  Group dynamics, the effect of individual goals and personality, and group problem-solving will be explored.  Strategies and techniques for building a more effective council team and for expanding the team to include county staff will be examined.

Building Effective Intergovernmental Relations - No governmental entity can afford to operate in a vacuum.  Effective intergovernmental relations are no longer an option, but a necessity if counties are to provide services to citizens in the most effective and efficient manner.  This course will explore the intergovernmental relations between counties and the federal government, the state, municipalities, and special purpose districts; the need for building effective intergovernmental relations; and strategies for building such relationships.  Examples of effective intergovernmental relations in South Carolina will be noted. Next class offered on 10/18/07.

Developing Good Leadership Skills - Through a combination of lecture, group discussion, and individual exercises, this course will cover current theories of leadership, the differences between management and leadership, and the complex interactive system in which county leaders must function.  Participants will have the opportunity to complete individual assessments of their personal leadership style and to consider the impact of this style on county citizens and staff.  The very important role of vision will be discussed.

Managing and Conducting Meetings - The overall goal of this course is to help county officials conduct successful meetings.  Ingredients for effective meetings will be covered.  Group dynamics, meeting leadership strategies and techniques, and the importance of council rules of procedure will be covered.  Participants will work on developing their meeting management skills.  Significant attention will be given to parliamentary procedure. (Approved for 3 hrs of CE credit for P&Z officials & employees)

Planning and Goal-Setting - This course focuses on the importance of planning and goal setting in the policy-making process.  Participants will be introduced to the process of long-range and strategic planning and will learn strategies and techniques of establishing and prioritizing individual and council goals.  The overriding importance of a shared county vision will be stressed. Next class offered on 8/2/07 - SCAC Annual Conference.

Public Speaking - This course provides an opportunity for county officials to enhance their public presentation skills.  Characteristics of effective presentations will be discussed, and participants will be given the opportunity to deliver a presentation to the class. Next class offered on 10/18/07.

1408 Carolina Plaza

University of South Carolina

Columbia, SC 29208

803-777-8156

Perimeter Road

Clemson, SC 29634-0125