Writer: Staff Reports
Published May 14, 2022
Rockdale Newton Citizen
ACCG, Georgia’s County Association, recently awarded county officials with certificates for completing requirements in the Lifelong Learning Academy.
Recipients were presented with their achievement certificates during the 2022 ACCG Annual Conference at the Savannah Convention Center. Commissioner Alana Sanders was honored for successfully completing the core requirements in the Lifelong Learning Academy.
ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia have collaborated for more than two decades to provide county officials with supplemental training and educational tools in the Lifelong Learning Academy. With abundant courses to choose from, every county official has a tailor-made learning experience that allows them to excel in specific areas of expertise.
“County officials are faced with many challenges and ever-evolving circumstances under which they must govern Georgia’s local communities,” said Dave Wills, ACCG’s executive director. “The Lifelong Learning Academy was created to help them navigate those challenges. I commend county leaders who take full advantage of educational opportunities to further their knowledge on how to better serve their communities.”
The Lifelong Learning Academy was created with input from county commissioners who identified courses based on the issues and decision-making challenges regularly faced by county officials. To ensure the course requirements and curriculum remain relevant and engaging, the ACCG Lifelong Learning Committee — comprised of county commissioners and staff from both ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia — meet regularly to review and adjust accordingly. Through this collaborative approach, the Lifelong Learning Academy has been successful in equipping county officials with the necessary skills to meet the needs of their constituents.
“It is an honor to serve my community as a county commissioner, and I am thankful to be certified, which shows commitment to my position,” said Sanders. “I was the first commissioner in Newton County to complete this certification in less than a year, which exhibited dedication to the seat and to my constituents, whom I refer to as my neighbors. I believe in professional development and staying connected with those who have served in this capacity to receive the shared knowledge that ACCG brings to the table. The art of learning never stops, and officials must attend conventions related to their office to stay updated with legislation on all levels of government.”
ACCG is Georgia’s county association and works on behalf of county officials and their communities by providing public policy and legislative advocacy, leadership development, civic and community engagement initiatives, insurance and retirement programs that specialize in local government needs and other cost-saving programs.
Formed in 1914 when county officials came together to help fund the state’s first highway department, ACCG today serves as a catalyst for advancing Georgia’s counties. For more information, go to www.accg.org.
