In addition to your agency’s own materials (policies, calendars, staff rosters, etc.), the Institute’s resources can help electeds, staff and community members understand the roles and responsibilities of local government officials and local government agencies. Typical items in an orientation packet may include:
- Specific City Council or Board of Supervisor Adopted Policies
- Rules of Order (Robert’s, Rosenberg’s, etc.)
- Fiscal Year Budget Preparation Calendar
- Approved Board / Council Meeting Calendar
- Committee and Liaison Assignments
- Brown Act and Ethic Law Resources
- Agency’s General Plan
- Agency’s Adopted Budget
- Agency’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)
- Emergency contact Information for executive staff and colleagues
The Institute’s is currently offering materials relating to these topics:
- Responsibilities and Powers
- Budgeting and Finance
- Leadership Skills
- Making Decisions
- Engaging the Public
- Public Trust & Transparency
- Working with the Media
- Working with Staff
- When Bad Things Happen
Note that, in some cases, similar information is presented in different ways. For example, the list below includes comprehensive publications Understanding the Basics of Local Agency Decision-making, The People’s Business: A Guide to the Public Records Act, and Understanding the Basics of Public Service Ethics: Personal Financial Gain Laws. For those agencies that simply want pieces of this publication (or want the information with fewer graphic elements), specific pieces of those publications are also provided.
In addition to orienting elected and appointed officials to your agency via your own materials and these resources, your organization can seek out training opportunities on AB1234, AB1661, and the Brown Act to support the official’s transition to public service.
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