Strengthen how you show up in everyday interactions—especially when the pressure is on. This practical session breaks down what civility really means in today’s workplace and why it matters for trust, communication, and teamwork. Participants will explore the four domains of emotional intelligence and learn how these skills bring character to life in daily interactions. Through real-world examples and guided practice, you’ll build the awareness and tools needed to stay composed, respond with intention, and communicate with professionalism and respect.

Unlock your potential to think boldly and solve problems more effectively. This fast-paced, practical session introduces the essentials of critical thinking—what it is, why it matters, and how it sharpens decision-making in municipal government. Participants will explore the real drivers of innovation, learn to spot the conditions that help new ideas take root, and walk away with tools to strengthen creativity and problem-solving across their departments. A great fit for anyone ready to elevate their impact and spark fresh thinking in their municipality.

Managing HR responsibilities without being an HR professional can be challenging. This session is designed for municipal employees who handle HR-related tasks as part of their role. You’ll learn how to evaluate your current HR practices against a minimum standard for HR departments, identify gaps, and prioritize improvements. By the end of the session, you’ll have practical tools to strengthen compliance, consistency, and employee support in your organization.

Strengthen how you show up in everyday interactions—especially when the pressure is on. This practical session breaks down what civility really means in today’s workplace and why it matters for trust, communication, and teamwork. Participants will explore the four domains of emotional intelligence and learn how these skills bring character to life in daily interactions. Through real-world examples and guided practice, you’ll build the awareness and tools needed to stay composed, respond with intention, and communicate with professionalism and respect.

Unlock your potential to think boldly and solve problems more effectively. This fast-paced, practical session introduces the essentials of critical thinking—what it is, why it matters, and how it sharpens decision-making in municipal government. Participants will explore the real drivers of innovation, learn to spot the conditions that help new ideas take root, and walk away with tools to strengthen creativity and problem-solving across their departments. A great fit for anyone ready to elevate their impact and spark fresh thinking in their municipality.

Start the new year with key updates on utility board regulation from the Comptroller’s Office. This session is for water/wastewater utility board members and anyone responsible for managing compliance.TBOUR-approved for 1.0 hour utility training

Cost: $185 (will be invoiced to the city) Register to attend Elected Officials Academy: Municipal Foundations. This program may be delivered virtually or in-person. This program familiarizes municipal elected officials with foundational aspects of municipal governance. Topics cover foundations and structure of municipal government, charters and codes, ethics, open meetings, public records, effective meetings, and municipal finance. Virtual program: The virtual program is divided into three sessions. Completion of all three sessions is required to receive a certificate of completion. Registration in this event automatically registers users into all three sessions. This event is delivered virtually on Zoom. The virtual program is offered annually each winter.  In-person program: The in-person program may be offered in one day and provides 7.5 training hours. Participants must attend the entirety of the program to receive a certificate of completion. The in-person program is offered annually in participation with the Tennessee Municipal League (TML) Annual Conference as a pre-conference session.   For dates and other information visit the website:  https://www.mtas.tennessee.edu/elected-officials-academy 

This class is a broad overview of government.  Beginning with a brief introduction to federal, state, and municipal government, this class outlines the structure and sources of power at each level.  Most of this class focuses on the municipal government and its relationship with the state.  The responsibilities and fiduciary duty of a municipal finance officer are discussed as well.

Government agencies must continually improve efficiency, enhance services, and respond to ever-evolving public needs. This seminar is designed to encourage government employees to utilize their creative potential and test innovative solutions in the public sector. • Discover barriers to innovation and learn strategies to overcome them. • Gain insights into the latest innovation frameworks. • Discuss and be inspired by actual examples of innovation in government.

Congratulations! You’ve been promoted into your first leadership position. One of the biggest challenges for new leaders is managing the transition from peer to leader and effectively supervising friends and former team members. This session will present some approaches to make the shift from peer to leader easier.