A Leadership Program For Texas County Officials
Modeled after the framework of other elite leadership development programs, this class is designed specifically for county officials and their needs. The class will help participants develop effective leadership skills and explore county issues in order to develop innovative approaches to long-standing concerns and build key alliances within the courthouse and externally with businesses and other levels of government.

This program provides county officials with an opportunity to "step up to the plate," enact meaningful change for the betterment of county government and be a voice for the future.

Often it is said, "This all sounds good; however, county governance is a unique animal and the county environment represents a real set of challenges." The County Leadership Class will equip officials with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to address these unique issues and build networks so that you do not have to "go it alone." During the course of this intensive, highly interactive program, participants will be able to:

• Acquire and practice essential leadership skills
• Understand issues that will have an impact on the future of your county
• Articulate and build vision
• Foster networks and reliable resources within county offices and externally with businesses and other level of government
• Be successful agents of change

Leadership Class Participants
A "class" is selected from among emerging and veteran county leaders from across the state. Participants in a class bring diverse backgrounds and expertise to the process of strengthening leadership skills while studying issues critical to the future of their counties and the State of Texas. An important goal of the program is for participants to establish lasting relationships as an alumni group; supporting each other's leadership efforts long after the formal learning situation concludes.

Curriculum Description
The class meets on at least four occasions over the course of a year to complete 50 hours of learning. The program features small class size and interactive settings so that the framework for effective decision-making can be explored. Continuing education hours will be provided for certain county offices.

Each class (throughout four sessions) will contain the following elements:

• Leadership skill modules will be presented which include intensive case study, group discussion and role-playing to give participants an in-depth understanding in each skill set. Each session of the class will typically feature one to two skills modules.
• In addition to skills modules, each class will highlight at least four critical issues affecting county government; one covered at length
during each session.
• An interdisciplinary approach to additional core topics will be integrated into the curriculum to ensure course content is applicable to Texas counties. Examples of core topics include ethics, Texas demographics and historical perspectives.

Faculty
This county leadership program will benefit from the practical knowledge and insight of proven Texas leaders in business and government, building an ever-expanding network of personal relationships. TACLF facilitators will be a select group of experienced educators, business and governmental leaders that will guide participants though the curriculum, serving in a mentorship capacity.

Click here for Curriculum Summary.

Criteria for Participation
To ensure a class balance reflects Texas' diverse population and community conditions, TACLF will seek to find participants that fulfill the following criteria:

• Varying political persuasions
• Diverse ethnic representation
• Rural, urban and transitioning counties
• Representation of as many regions of the state as possible
• Representation of all county official positions

For more information, contact Mark Warren at 512-478-8753.