ATLANTA – State Representative Barbara Sims (R-Augusta) will join government leaders from 10 southern states from September 24-28 at Coastal Carolina University for the fifth annual Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills (CALS).
“This is not only an honor but also an opportunity,” said Rep. Sims. “It is an honor to be one of only two Georgians chosen to attend this selective leadership event for officials throughout the southeastern United States. But, even more important, CALS allows me a unique opportunity to communicate with other leaders and learn from their efforts. This, along with the training presentations, will help me to better serve Columbia and Richmond counties in our state government, while also giving me a chance to further our interests throughout our neighboring states in the Southeast.”
During the five-day event, Rep. Sims will hear from regional experts that will lead presentations focused on leadership skills, public policy initiatives and leadership theory. A few of the specific presentations Rep. Sims will attend include Approaching Conflict Management, 21st Century Leadership, and Communication Essentials. These training events will help Rep. Sims enhance her leadership capabilities through improvements in communication, conflict resolution, consensus building and critical decision-making.
State government officials from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia were nominated by their respective state’s leadership to participate in this year’s program, but only 25 nominees were accepted. As an accepted participant, Rep. Sims will receive a scholarship from the program, which will cover the cost of tuition, travel, lodging and meals.
The goal of the CALS program is to help state government officials develop vital leadership competencies and thereby provide the public with highly skilled, educated, and confident state leaders. This multi-branch program also offers a unique forum for state leaders to share ideas with peers from other states that they might not otherwise meet.
CALS was developed by the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) of the Council of State Governments in conjunction with the Rockefeller Institute and the Clinton School of Public Service. The program prepares emerging and mid-career state leaders from the legislative, executive and judicial branches for their roles in state government.
For more information about CALS, please click here.
Representative Barbara Sims represents the citizens of District 119, which includes portions of Columbia and Richmond counties. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2006, and is currently the Vice Chairman of the Small Business Development & Jobs Creation Committee and the Secretary of the Economic Development & Tourism Committee. She also serves as a member of the Appropriations, Health & Human Services, and Transportation committees.
# # #