ACCG, Georgia’s county association, presented certificates to lifelong learning graduates

The Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) recognized several county officials for completing core and specialty certification levels in the ACCG Lifelong Learning Academy, the education and training program offered to Georgia’s county commissioners. Commissioner Doreen Williams was one of many county officials honored for earning the designation of Certified County Commissioner.

The training certificates were presented during the recent 2016 ACCG Annual Conference at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center.

“ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia work collaboratively to provide yearlong training opportunities to Georgia’s county officials as well as county staff members,” ACCG Executive Director Ross King said. “ACCG is fortunate to have a valued working relationship with such reputable and credible adult learning experts to provide educational opportunities to our county officials.”

Commissioners were presented with certificates for completing the core curriculum and specialty track requirements in the Lifelong Learning Academy. Those who received certificates for completing a specialty track have undertaken specific topics of interest in local government such as public safety, intergovernmental relations, and citizen engagement among others.

Class topics Commissioner Williams focused on included economic development, property appraisal and taxation, ethics, human resources, public safety and health, leadership skills and county government, finance and law.

“The core classes in the ACCG Lifelong Learning Academy gave me an overview of how a county works and a commissioner’s responsibilities, which laid the groundwork for me,” she said. “I felt compelled to complete them as quickly as possible so I could get up to speed with the job. So I’m grateful ACCG goes above and beyond to assist county commissioners in being as effective as possible.”

From this, one next step Commissioner Williams will take is she has been asked this year to chair the ACCG state legislative policy committee for Health and Human Services, an area to which she is deeply committed.