MTAS provides training for municipal elected officials through our signature Elected Officials Academy and the Elected Officials Special Topic Series.

The Elected Officials Academy (EOA) includes two programs: Municipal Foundations and Municipal Operations.

Municipal Foundations familiarizes municipal elected officials with foundational aspects of municipal governance. Topics include foundations and structure of municipal government; charters, codes, and local legislative acts; ethics, public records, and open meetings; effective meetings; and municipal finance.

Municipal Operations provides an overview of the responsibilities and oversight of the municipal elected board related to operational functions in municipalities. Topics include human resources, public works, fire services, and police services.

The Elected Officials Special Topic Series provides quarterly, free training sessions on Zoom or in-person. New sessions are announced as they are confirmed.

Click on the following link to view the Newly Elected Official's Guide to Taking Office. We address some common questions of when and how you take office, who may administer your oath, and what information should be included the oath of office in this document. 

Do you have questions or need registration assistance? Contact Doug Brown, (865) 974-9140.

Elected Officials Academy

The Municipal Foundations and Municipal Operations programs are offered as in-person sessions in partnership with the Tennessee Municipal League (TML) Annual Conference. 

Municipal Foundations: Register Online

August 1 | 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. ET
Chattanooga Convention Center

Registration: $185 (invoiced to your city after attendance)

This program familiarizes municipal elected officials with foundational aspects of municipal governance. Topics include forms of government, charters, ethics, public records, open meetings, effective meetings, and finance. 
 
Municipal Foundations is TBOUR approved for 7.5 utility training hours.

Municipal Operations: Register Online

August 2 | 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. ET
Chattanooga Convention Center

Registration: $185 (invoiced to your city after attendance)

This program provides an overview of the responsibilities and oversight of the municipal elected board related to operational functions in municipalities. Topics include human resources, public works, fire services, and police services. 
 
Municipal Operations is TBOUR approved for 7.5 utility training hours.  

Registered participants will receive an email with program details at least three days before the date of their registered program.

Do you have questions or need registration assistance? Contact Doug Brown, (865) 974-9140.

Elected Officials Special Topic Series

Topic: Building Local Leadership Capacity.  Overview: The success or failure of most organizations/local governments, in large measure, depends on building a strong foundation of pro-active leadership. The “Building Local Leadership Capacity” training session focuses on the key ingredients needed to meet the challenges in today’s results-oriented environment. This session will examine how instilling values, creating trust, engaging employees, communicating, and capitalizing on your assets are critical traits for effective leaders. “Building Local Leadership Capacity” will assist you in strengthening your leadership skills! TBOUR approved for 1.5 utility training hours.

When: Thursday, June 12 | 5:00-6:30 p.m. CST | 6:00-7:30 p.m. EST | Zoom!

Speaker: Joe W. Barker, Former City Councilman, City Mayor, and County Mayor

Register by clicking here!

EOA Program Contacts

Registration: Doug Brown, Training Coordinator, (865) 974-9140. Do you have questions or need registration assistance? Contact Doug Brown.

Program Lead: Del Sable, Training and Development Consultant, (615) 647-0764.