Program Lengths: One-half day, one day and two day modules

Target Group: This program is for staff members who staff or will be staffing citizens advisory commissions such as:

• Planning Commissions
• Police Advisory Boards
• Parks and Recreation Commissions
• Traffic Commissions
• Youth Advisory Boards
• Senior Citizen Commissions
• Citizen Ad Hoc Boards
• Newly formed Commissions, Boards or Committees

Description: These programs teach administrative staff members to effectively provide staff assistance to commissions, committees and boards. Subjects include how to:

• Establish your legitimacy with an existing or new commission
• Orient a commission
• Establish a working relationship with the chairperson
• Deal with commissioner complaints
• Deal with hidden agendas and conflicts
• Prepare for difficult meetings
• Facilitate a commission team building process
• Other issues your agency wants covered

Resources:
Participants use “Commissioner’s Little Handbook: A Portable Guide for Local Government Advisory Board Members” as a workshop resource. Books are provided at a discount to sponsoring agencies.