The SC Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government training was created and designed for all levels of experience in municipal office.
MEO Sessions A, B and Advanced Institute classes will be held on Tuesday, January 31, at the Columbia Marriott. Additionally, mayors and councilmembers may complete MEO Institute requirements through the on-demand option. All on-demand classes must be completed by Monday, January 16, for graduation at 2017 Hometown Legislative Action Day.
To graduate from the Institute, elected officials must complete seven required courses. Five of the courses are available on demand 24/7.
- MEO Session A
- MEO Session B (Session A must be completed prior to B)
- Basic Budgeting and Municipal Finance*
- Freedom of Information Act in SC*
- Forms of Municipal Government*
- Municipal Economic Development*
- Municipal Governance and Policy*
*available on demand
"The presentation of this course and the flawlessness of its execution were exemplary," one on-demand user recently wrote in a course survey. "I will continue to use online courses as they are offered. Well done!"
Additionally, for Institute graduates looking to build enhanced policy and governing skills, the Association offers the Advanced Municipal Elected Officials Institute. For elected officials interested in attending the Advanced Institute on January 31, registration information will be included with the 2017 Hometown Legislative Action Day materials. Online registration will open in December.
Advanced Institute participants may choose between two day-long sessions. To graduate the Advanced Institute, participants must complete four of six courses offered. The courses offered in January are "Advanced Budgeting and Finance" and "Advanced Leadership and Governance."
Advanced Budgeting and Finance will pick up where the MEO Institute's "Basic Budgeting and Finance" course left off. Presenters will focus on topics such as budget management, governmental accounting, annual audit, debt management and more.
Advanced Leadership and Governance will take an in-depth look at the leadership role of municipal elected officials. Participants will learn how to develop a bold vision for their hometowns and how to develop sound public policy to carry out that vision.
A councilmember said of recent Advanced Municipal Elected Officials Institute training, "All presenters were good and helped to strengthen me as a councilmember. I'm more aware of what to ask for and why certain things are done."