Local Government 101

The Local Government 101 webinar series not only covers the functions and obligations of government officials but also best practices for thriving communities and good governance.

From the basics such as the differences between boroughs, cities, and townships to key strategies for addressing complex municipal issues, such as responding to emergency events and combatting municipal fiscal insolvency.

The Local Government 101 includes 25 hours of educational content related to each of our designated Pillars of Good Government:

Budget & Finance

  • Municipal Budget 101
  • Finance & Budgeting: the Basics
  • Municipal Benefit Programs
  • Managing Municipal Pension Obligations with Internal Revenue Code section 115
  • Budgets and Labor Negotiations

Community Development

  • Think Differently About Planning
  • Introduction to Zoning
  • Fighting Blight with Conservatorship

Ethics & Communication

  • Municipal Workplace Civility
  • ABCs of Communicating with the Media & Public
  • The Accidental Meeting: Social Media, Sunshine Act, & Right-to-Know Law
  • Pennsylvania Public Official & Employee Ethics Act

Infrastructure & Public Works

  • Considerations for Municipal Fleet Electrification
  • SWPA Broadband Connectivity
  • Water and Wastewater: Municipal Consent Orders & Regionalization
  • Protecting Community Health -Water Wastewater 101
  • Privatizing Municipal Water & Wastewater Systems
  • Using technology to improve work orders and fleet management

Powers and Duties

  • Local Government 101
  • Powers and duties of elected governing bodies – Township 1st and 2nd
  • Powers and duties of elected governing bodies – Home Rule
  • Powers and duties of elected governing bodies – Boroughs

Public Safety

  • Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness
    Emergency Services 101
  • Managing Communication in Crisis Situations
  • Regional and Contract Police Services
  • Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness
    Police: New Rules & New Tools

Public Sector Human Management

  • Public Sector Human Management 101 & 102
  • Understanding the inner workings of government: A day in the life
    Municipal Perspective Panel
  • Hot Topics in Remote Work

Resiliency

  • Resiliency and Equity Webinar: Economic Costs and Inequities of Climate Disasters
  • Resiliency and Equity Webinar: Community Health and Racial Equity

The Local Government 101 series is available to elected and appointed officials, public employees, local leaders, and citizens through our Virtual Academy digital library.

Log into your account to get started: Log In

Don’t have an account? Purchase a 12-month access pass here: Join Now for $75