Training and Professional Development

Legislative Training

We provide training for elected officials, including Georgia state legislators. Legislative training helps members of the Georgia General Assembly develop advanced skills as they navigate public service.

OUR LEGISLATIVE TRAINING PROGRAMS

Biennial Institute

The Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators provides both an orientation to the legislative process for new lawmakers and timely policy sessions for all attendees. A recognized event on the state's political calendar since 1958, the Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators provides legislators with valuable time for learning, networking and exploring state issues prior to the upcoming session of the General Assembly.

Sessions conducted by veteran lawmakers and staff, agency administrators and subject matter experts lead legislators through a wide variety of current topics.

New and veteran legislators count on the Biennial Institute to provide information and training that will help them make better-informed decisions for Georgia. 

For more information, contact Thad McWhorter.

Georgia Legislative Leadership Institute

The Georgia Legislative Leadership Institute (GLLI) is an extension of the Biennial Institute. Participants are nominated by the Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House. Developed and authorized by the Georgia General Assembly Training Institute in 2005, GLLI forms the core of a phased leadership development program for members of the Georgia General Assembly.

GLLI is designed to strengthen the leadership skills of individual legislators while also reinforcing the legislative institution.

Offered over the course of five days, this unique program allows lawmakers to explore the leadership challenges of representative government with faculty from UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government as well as legislative leaders and colleagues.

The program is designed to help legislators address key elements of personal, ethical and political leadership that can help them carry out their roles and responsibilities as elected representatives.

Participants will explore their own personal motivations and leadership styles, better understand those of their colleagues, address leadership challenges in using power and influence, explore ethical dilemmas and decisions, and explore leadership challenges in forging and shaping collective action.

Additionally, participants will delve into specific policy problems and choices, better understand how citizens organize and mobilize around their political beliefs, and address the very foundations of representative democracy and their leadership role in carrying out and preserving representative government.

The program is made possible by the generous support of the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation.

For more information, contact Jeff McCord.

Environmental Policy Academy

Georgia lawmakers can strengthen their understanding of key environmental issues through the Legislative Environmental Policy Academy.

The Academy provides members of the Georgia General Assembly with relevant information about current and developing environmental issues that affect people in Georgia. Members of the House and Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committees get personal instruction and make site studies to learn more about topics such as living shoreline flood protection and saltwater intrusion.

The Academy is supported by the generosity of the Dobbs Foundation. The curriculum helps citizen legislators make informed decisions about complicated environmental issues.

RELATED PROGRAMS

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Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute

The Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute is a series of voluntary training programs for mayors, council members and managers. Classes are designed to enhance their knowledge and skills as municipal officials. 

Newly Elected Municipal Officials Institute

The UGA Institute of Government and the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) coordinate the training required by Georgia law for mayors and city council members elected or reelected after July 1, 1990. The one-and-a-half-day Newly Elected Municipal Officials Institute is offered at the University of Georgia and other locations throughout the state. It provides an orientation to city government and prepares new municipal officials to face the variety of situations they meet upon taking office. Reference material is given to support city officials in making decisions and carrying out their responsibilities.