Professional Development II

Clerk-Busters: We Ain’t Afraid Of No Task

Did you have Vintage Vera working in your city? She is a mischievous spirit that thrives on outdated procedures and is the spirit of a crucial process that only one person knew how to do, and now she's gone. She left behind a trail of confusing spreadsheets, templates, and tasks with no notes, causing spectral confusion every end-of-month. To put Vintage Vera to rest, we must document everything, so the knowledge remains, even when the person leaves. When we write a clear, concise, and updated manual, we banish the Vintage Vera spirit from the office, creating a peaceful, productive environment.

The Data Strikes Back: May The Formulas Be With You

The galaxy’s data is in chaos! It is time to step up your skills. In this session, we will learn to wield Excel like a Jedi Knight to help with organization and efficiencies. We will cover the basics of spreadsheet uses, formatting your spreadsheets, and using simple formulas. Don't let your data sink into the Sarlacc pit—bring balance to your worksheets! Learn how to turn complex, messy data into actionable insights faster than Han Solo makes the Kessel Run.

Governance Groove: Mastering Municipal Records Management

During this course attendees will learn how to begin building a systemic approach to managing their organizations records through learning about key elements of Records Management Governance and how policies, procedures, standards, and practices help to create a framework that ensures the proper creation, maintenance, use, and disposition of government records.

Finding Hidden Records

An informative session focused on the intricacies of finding hidden records in response to public records requests. Learn practical tools and strategies for locating and managing hidden records in response to public records requests. Designed for public officials and agency staff, this course aims to enhance participants' understanding of their responsibilities under public records laws and improve their efficiency in handling requests.

Communication Begins With Presence

Presence is how we show up in the world—it reflects our character, values, and leadership. Our beliefs about executive presence shape our body language, communication, and decisions. This session will help you become more aware of your presence and align how you want to be perceived with how others experience you. Presence is not automatic with a leadership title—it is a skill that can be developed. Small improvements can strengthen communication and leadership, helping you lead more effectively by showing up as your authentic self.

Self-Care and Collaboration

The amount of change and loss in the past year has been overwhelming, and employees need fresh tools for working well under the strain. This highly interactive workshop is designed to facilitate connection and awareness, and to equip teams for working well together even from remote locations.

Build Your Conflict Capable Leadership Skills

Most organizations struggle with conflict because employees and managers are rarely trained to address it effectively. The Conflict Capable Framework solves this problem. It’s a structured, practical system that equips teams with the skills, tools, and language to navigate disagreements confidently and independently. This framework doesn’t just resolve conflict; it shifts how organizations perceive and approach it.

Training overview:

Develop Your Conflict Capable Mindset
Understanding Yourself and Others During Conflict
Learn and Practice the Conflict Capable Framework

In this session, participants will learn to:

Examine opportunities and positive outcomes that emerge when conflict is effectively resolved.
Resolve conflict confidently with a structured, collaborative process that protects relationships, enhances innovation, and drives organizational results.
Take proactive action when disagreements arise, ensuring constructive, lasting outcomes.

Onboarding New Councilmembers

Are you prepared for election season? Are you ready for Q&A with candidates and newly elected officials? Would a “How To” help you navigate election season? Deb and Shawn, seasoned clerks, will share an onboarding process for prospective candidates and incoming elected officials and equip you and your future councilmembers with an Election Toolbox designed for success!

Onboarding New Staff Members

How do you onboard new staff or ensure “seasoned” staff stay current on the latest and greatest training and best practices? Join Shawn and Deb, Veteran clerks, as they share some of their wins and a couple not so winning moments to help you create your Onboarding Toolbox designed for success!

Political Astuteness

Local government isn’t simple, and it is rarely quiet. This course helps Clerks confidently navigate the space between the elected officials, staff, and the community with diplomacy, awareness, and a steady hand. Political astuteness is the art of getting things done the right way, understanding different perspectives, anticipating challenges, and supporting decisions while protecting the integrity and neutrality of the Clerk’s office.

You will learn how to read the room, understand what is driving decisions, and keep things moving forward with confidence and professionalism. We will focus on practical, real-world skills like spotting dynamics in meetings, building alignment without authority, communicating clearly in tough moments, and handling conflict with sound judgment. This is not about playing politics. It is about being aware, staying grounded, and helping the balanced triangle of Council, administration, and community work together, not against itself.

Creating Successful Results and Relationships for Leaders

Successful leaders need to be self-aware of their strengths and abilities and skilled in communication, relationship building, and know how to bring a team together to collaborate on a shared vision and achieve the desired outcome. Together we will gain insight into why others would want to follow us. We will explore your communication style and how that style interacts with and influences others and how to flex your own communication style to get better results.

Creating your own Personal Vision Statement

After a week full of learning, we will reflect on the new concepts and principles introduced to us and determine how best to utilize our new learning when we return to the workplace. This work will be done in groups and on an individual basis, providing an opportunity to practice presentation skills with our peers.