Institute for Excellence

Success Story

University of Illinois Extension has a 25 year history of providing programs for county board members and commissioners. The programs have been primarily offered through distance technology, first over an audio teleconference system and more recently over a bridge that allows audio and computer conferencing.

Prior to 2004 elections, sessions were held around the state targeting people running for county boards. The sessions were designed to help officials "hit the ground running" following their elections.

In 2005, we developed an MOU with the Illinois Association of County Board Members and Commissioners. Expanded recruitment of Community and Economic Development Educators allowed us to deepen and broaden our offerings to county elected officials. This session will outline the following:

• development of the Institute for Excellence in County Government- discussion will include program planning issues, evaluation, and recruitment issues.
• certification system - officials will be recognized for completion of 24 hours of training.
• development of local retreats and workshops, created to deal with local issues-the discussion will include topics, planning, and recruitment.
• Extension Fellowship - we are developing a second MOU to explore the opportunity of placing and Extension staff member in the county board association office to serve as liaison for both program and policy experience.