Ninety-five communities in southwestern Pennsylvania have median incomes of 80 percent of the regional average and less. Since local tax sources in Pennsylvania are dependent on the value of citizens’ homes or earned income, local governments with flat or falling property values and limited earned income taxes are being stretched quite thin. While many efforts may be taking place in Harrisburg to address this situation, locally there is something that can be done to help municipal colleagues obtain the training and assistance they need to provide adequate local services to their citizens.
A Fund for Local Governments by Local Governments:
Municipalities can make a difference. By making an annual contribution to the LocalGovernmentAcademy’s Leadership Circle, your community will provide funds for your municipal peers facing economic hardships to receive the training they need and deserve.
All funds raised through the Leadership Circle are deposited into the Academy’s “Michael P. Lynch Scholarship Fund” – a fund providing assistance to municipalities facing fiscal difficulties with the opportunity to attend the LocalGovernmentAcademy’s Newly Elected Officials Course and other training opportunities.
By contributing:
• Your municipality will be acting intergovernmentally and advancing the southwestern Pennsylvania region - two themes central to the concept of “good government.”
• You will be helping citizen legislators develop their leadership capabilities to effectively serve their constituents.
• And, you’ll be fostering a tradition of “mutual aid” – southwestern Pennsylvania municipalities helping one another in difficult situations.
Be a part of this worthwhile endeavor. You’ll be helping fellow municipalities in southwestern Pennsylvania overcome fiscal difficulties.
Click here to watch this video clip of Mike Lynch, LGA's first and longest-serving chairman of the board, as he talks about the Academy and the importance of the scholarship fund.
For every $500 raised, LGA will be able to offer the full Newly Elected Officials Course free of charge to a municipal official in southwestern Pennsylvania.To thank you, the Academy will provide your municipality with a voucher to attend one of LGA’s half day or evening programs.
By Municipalities, For Municipalities - The Leadership Circle is exclusively the effort of municipalities. Corporate or philanthropic donations to LGA are recognized in LGA’s Advocate for Good Government program.
Contributors to the Leadership Circle are recognized at the LocalGovernmentAcademy’s annual Recognition Luncheon, the Academy Web site and in the Academy’s Annual Report.
The LocalGovernmentAcademy’s Newly Elected Officials Course (NEOC) has been offered since 1983 to well over 600 officials in the region helping them to better serve their communities. Many aspects of municipal government are offered in the course including the legislative process and the scope of municipal powers, budget and finance, personnel law, public safety, planning and zoning as well as ethics and leadership. Complete information can be found at www.localgovernmentacademy.org.
Leadership Circle
A Municipally Sponsored Fund to Promote Excellence in Local Government.
All funds raised through the Leadership Circle are deposited into the Academy’s “Michael P. Lynch Scholarship Fund.” Donations are accepted at any time to the Michael P. Lynch Scholarship for the benefit of communities pursuing excellence in government through education.
Checks should be made payable to Local Government Academy Michael P. Lynch Scholarship Fund (or LGA MPL Scholarship Fund).The LocalGovernmentAcademy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Please mail donations to:
“Unfortunately, it is often difficult for communities of limited financial resources to take advantage of the training provided by the Academy even though these communities in particular would benefit greatly from its services…The return on investment in the Michael P. Lynch Scholarship Fund is measured not only in the improved performance of a deserving local government, but the value of this improved performance to our region. Your tax deductible contribution to the Fund is an investment in the future.”
– Michael P. Lynch,
Former Mayor of Monroeville and founding Chairman of the Local Government Academy
“Upper St. Clair strongly urges you to support the invaluable work of the LocalGovernmentAcademy and make it possible for more communities to avail themselves to the Newly Elected Officials Course.”
– Township of Upper St. Clair
“Proper education of elected officials is a key to elevating the ethical and operational standards of all local governments. Green Tree Borough Council has realized the benefits of LGA’s training first-hand, and is therefore proud to support the Michael Lynch Scholarship Fund.”
– Borough of Green Tree
“Our municipality has a 100 percent participation rate in the Newly Elected Officials Course and we have found the experience to add to our organizational efficiency and effectiveness. We urge all our municipal colleagues to assist in making this course more widely available.”
– Township of Indiana
“Murrysville encourages all municipal officials to get the training they need. The real beneficiaries are the taxpayers. Growing the Lynch Scholarship Fund will assure that budget constraints don’t interfere with the pursuit of good government.”
