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Public Service Academy | a 3-part series
Date and time
Location
Kalamazoo Valley Groves Center
7107 Elm Valley Dr Kalamazoo, MI 49009Refund Policy
Description
Sharpen your Skills and Build your Toolkit with
Public Service Academy | a 3-part series
Why Join Us?
Great public policy and efficient government hinge on the engagement and development of the right people in positions of influence. Are you serving in municipal government in Southwest Michigan? Then Public Service Academy is focused on developing YOU and your colleagues.
Join us for this 3-part series and leave the program with an understanding of the importance of economic development and the opportunity to work collaboratively as a community. We'll begin with the first session that will give you, local municipal leaders, the inside knowledge on economic development tools to grow jobs in your community.
Subsequent sessions take a deeper dive into creating environments of inspiration, innovation and change. During the experience you will also be exposed to the philosophy of transformational leadership and the building of high performance teams that support continuous improvement in your community.
Who?
Regional, County, City, Township and Village administrators, elected officials and economic development staff (i.e. planning, brownfields, assessment, etc.) from Southwest Michigan who share our PASSION for making communities stronger.
What Will You Get?
Those who complete the 3-part program will be granted a certificate and be recognized as an “Accredited Partner” of Southwest Michigan First, a list that will be maintained on our website. Those who enroll in the program will also receive free access to their top 5 strengths from the world renowned Gallup Strengths Finder. Attendees must attend all 3 sessions in order to complete the program.
Cost?
$150 total for all 3 sessions
Sponsorship
The Public Service Academy is proudly sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation! www.michiganbusiness.org
Session Details
No. 1 | Economic Development Tools for Public Service
September 10, 2014 @ 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
In this opening session, participants will engage in a holistic conversation about the critical role public servants play in growing a robust economy. Hear stories from leaders in the national site selection community and learn how regional business and governmental leaders can lead together toward common goals for job growth.
Moderator | Tim Terrentine
Speakers include:
Eric Canada, Partner, Blane Canada, Ltd. | Eric is a nationally recognized expert on economic development marketing as well as business retention and expansion. He is a psychologist by training, an entrepreneur at heart and a developer by choice. Come learn from our keynote speaker as he kicks off the academy!
Mike Finney, CEO, Michigan Economic Development Corporation | As head of the MEDC, Mike Finney will share how important collaboration between business and government is for successful economic development both regionally and statewide.
Lisa Miller, Executive Director, Branch County Economic Growth Alliance; Jeff Budd, Coldwater City Manager and Paul Beckhusen, Coldwater Board of Public Utilities | The Branch County team will guide us through how their collaborative work has brought major job creation to Coldwater.
Jill Bland, executive vice president, Southwest Michigan First | A native to the Southwest Michigan Region, Jill's passion for economic development and love for our community is apparent in all that she does. With more than 25 years of economic development experience, Jill leads the Southwest Michigan First team's attraction and retention efforts.
No. 2 | Why Strengths Equal Innovation
October 1, 2014 @ 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
In this session, participants will discover the strength-based approach to selecting, engaging and maximizing teams. They will learn how to inspire trust and build credibility within their teams, define a clear and compelling purpose, create and align systems of success and create a culture in which innovation and teamwork is instinctive and welcomed in local units of government.
Moderator | Tim Terrentine
Speakers include:
Brian Lam & Dan Sytsema, Improv Effects | Ever heard of 'yes and'? This creative duo will showcase their unique talents to demonstrate how improv techniques are key to success in business and government.
Ashley Kletke, Senior Manager - Well Being, Stryker Instruments | Ashley is a master of utilizing team strengths. She will share her first-hand knowledge of your personal strengths to transform your leadership and your organization.
Kelli Scott, Calhoun County Administrator | Join us as Kelli shares the exciting news of a truly unique healthcare service in Calhoun County that is adding up to huge savings and delivering great service!
No. 3 | Creating Engaged Teams for Customer Service
November 13, 2014 @ 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
In this session, participants will have the opportunity to learn from industry experts why employees who are engaged in their work are empowered and excited to provide amazing customer service.
Moderator | Tim Terrentine
Speakers include:
Mike Van Ryn, Director of Talent Development, Zeigler Auto Group | An engaged team equals great customer service and Mike can prove it with the data they collect every day at Zeigler!
Brad Black, President & Managing Director, HUMANeX Ventures | As president of HUMANeX Ventures, Brad studies what it takes to build world class teams. He will discuss why employee engagement is key to championship-level success in any sector of the community.
Ron Kitchens, ceo, Southwest Michigan First | With more than 30 years of economic development experience, Ron leads a nationally award-winning team that believes in the power of servant leadership. He'll join the Public Service Academy to explain why he chooses to live by this mission: The greatest force for change is a job.
Questions?
Connect with us!
Derek Nofz
director of public policy
517.331.3990 | dnofz@southwestmichiganfirst.com