Local Governance Programs: On the Way to a County Near You!

Increasingly, especially in rural areas, many positions were left empty on the ballot. Someone was either appointed from within the already elected officials or the job had to be covered by someone who already had a full plate. Another problem was the rise in people coming into office who had no prior training in what their new jobs were to be. In the face of these difficulties, the Local Governance family of programs was born.

This year, the first program in the family “Thinking About Running for Local Office?” debuted in January and February, to prepare prospective candidates for the coming local elections. This program is not about running a campaign. It isn't about how to be elected. It's about what it means to be elected!

There are three components to the session:

PA Local Government 101: A half hour basics on the structure of local government and the roles and responsibilities of different officials. Gets folks started asking the important question, "What does it take to be a good one?"

The Nuts and Bolts: County elections office rules and regulations and requirements to be a candidate. Let's just say this is the most confusing and one of the most essential for preparing to run for office. Forms, deadlines, protocols, exceptions, procedures, resources.

Lessons from “the Trenches": A panel of recently elected members of local government sharing their experiences. Hearing things like why to run, what it is like in office, the joys, the difficulties, from those "in the trenches" exposes potential candidates to the realities of holding a position.

Not only are community members then better informed about opportunities, but this program demonstrates collaboration. The program is frequently brought in and sponsored by partnerships with several different organizations. The Board of Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, The League of Women Voters, and County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania are just some of the many partnerships that have made these events possible and help sustain the results for longer than just one day.

Ultimately, not everyone is going to run or win, but the more people who are engaged with their local government the better.

The second program in the family, “How to Talk About Difficult Issues” is being rolled out across Pennsylvania beginning this month. This program will show public officials and others how to be proactive when dealing with controversial issues and difficult behavior. Participants will learn how to facilitate community discussions in a way that fosters broad and effective participation, greater acceptance and consensus in decision making.

At the workshop, presentations given by experienced facilitators impart their wisdom on how to handle sensitive situations. Participants will then get a chance to engage in discussions with these facilitators as well as each other. Then they will be given a chance to put what they’ve learned to use by working through exercises designed to enhance their ability to manage the difficult issues their communities face.  

The third program in the family, “Regional Trends and Community Planning” is currently under development.

For more information about bringing any of the Local Governance programs to your community, contact Judy Chambers at jrc355@psu.edu.

By Dana Ray