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CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Today's Date: 2/4/2012

Class Name Start Date Location Instructor Description
Applying the "7 Habits of Highly Effective People"  10/25/11, 9 am-12 pm  County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Room 241  Aaron-Paula Thompson  Most people have heard of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” but have you actually read it? The seven habits that Stephen Covey discusses have become a manual for both personal and professional success. This class will give an overview of the book with opportunities to practice some of the personal habits. 
Asserting Your Own Assertiveness  11/03/2011, 10-11:30 am  County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Room 246  Aaron-Paula Thompson  People who are assertive know how to be open and honest. They respect their own boundaries and limitations as well as those of others. In this class, we will look at how to identify assertiveness and how to implement the ideas in your own communication. 
Better Decisions and Thinking: The “Six Thinking Hats”  11/17/2011, 2-3:30 pm  County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Room 241  Claudine Cloutier  “The biggest enemy of thinking is complexity, for that leads to confusion. When thinking is clear and simple, it becomes more enjoyable and more effective. “ Whether used by groups or by individuals, the Six Thinking Hats method simplifies decision making by encouraging simplified thinking. Rather than approaching decision-making from an “argument” based perspective, the Six Hats (objectivity, emotions, caution, optimism, creativity, and organization) allow the thinker to focus on a problem from one perspective at a time. Used effectively, this method can create a climate of clearer thinking, improved communication, and greater creativity. 
Book Discussion: Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us  12/08/2011, 2-3:30 pm  County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Room 246  John McQuilkin  In his book Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, Daniel Pink argues that external rewards like money—the carrot and stick approach—are not what motivates us.  In this 90-minute class, HR Analyst John McQuilkin explains Pink’s premise that autonomy, mastery, and purpose are the three elements of true motivation.  You do not need to read the book before the class.  
Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)  11/02/11, 1-5 pm  County Office Building, 1600 Fifth Street, Room A  Lisa Carmines  This class will cover adult, child, and infant CPR, as well as the proper use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) device. This class is taught by a certified instructor and will include both lecture and hands-on training. At the end of the class, successful participants will receive CPR certification. Class size is limited to 10 participants. 
Creating Self-Managed, Empowered Teams  11/16/11, 10:30-11:30 am  County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Room 246  Pam Dumas  Do you want to learn how to create and sustain self-managed and empowered teams in your department? Come hear about why self-managed teams are a good thing, get some practical start-up tools (such as forms outlining the team’s charge, team members roles, etc.), and learn how to avoid common pitfalls (e.g., what to do when the micromanager strikes, or a team member isn’t pulling his/her weight). Instructor Pam Dumas will share these insights and more based on her experience in several self-managed and empowered teams in the Social Services Department. Managers in particular are encouraged to attend this class. 
Cultural Diversity Training: Albemarle's Latino Residents  09/28/11, 3:30-5 pm  County Office Building, 1600 Fifth Street, Room B  Linda Hemby   
Dealing with Challenging Co-Workers  12/01/11, 9-11 am  County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Room 246  Aaron-Paula Thompson  Challenging coworkers are one of the most difficult things to manage in the workplace.  These people can create barriers to productivity and increase stress levels.  They can also make you irritable and frustrated.  It’s time to gain some coping skills that can help in working with this challenging group.  
Developing Effective Feedback Mechanisms to Measure Customer Service  11/02/11, 10 am-12 pm  County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Room 241  Frank Squillace  we strive to be a high-performing organization, customer service feedback mechanisms are a vital part of an organization’s required skill set. This course, designed for anyone wishing to improve their departmental operations, will explore a variety of customer feedback mechanisms that can be used to generate insights and improvements in an organization and/or department. 
Eat That Frog  11/10/11, 9-10:30 am  County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Room 246  Jennifer Behrens  In his book Eat That Frog, Brian Tracy covers such topics as determining priorities, delegating and eliminating some tasks, knowing what's okay to procrastinate about, and whether to tackle your "frog" (your big task that will lend the greatest results) first or a lesser priority task.  Come learn his techniques to become more effective at work!  Books will be available at the end of class for participants who would like a copy. 
Everest: Creating Greatness for Teams  10/13/2011, 2:30-4:30 pm  County Office Building, 1600 Fifth Street, Room B  John Oprandy  "“Leadership is a choice, not a position.” –Stephen R. Covey Come watch an inspiring DVD based on the incredible true story of a blind man’s quest for the summit of the tallest peak in the world. Afterwards, Albemarle County Deputy Fire Chief John Oprandy will facilitate an energizing discussion on how great teams share leadership through inspiring trust and having a common vision. What teams do you lead? Are you achieving the results you’re looking for? What challenges stand in the way? Leave this discussion with a whole new mindset about creating greatness! What’s your Everest? 
Fundamentals of Data Collection and Analysis  09/22/11, 9 am-12 pm  County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Room 246  Andy Bowman  The number of fire engines that respond to a particular fire correlates with the number of fatalities associated with that fire, i.e., the greater the number of fire engines, the greater the number of deaths. Does this fact mean that the County could save lives by decreasing the number of fire engines sent to a given fire? In this class, you’ll learn how to think critically about data, and will become familiar with a variety of data sources that the County uses in order to make informed decisions. The course will be especially helpful for employees who prepare data-intensive items such as budget submissions and Board reports. 
GIS-Web Internet Mapping Application  11/09/11, 10:30 am-12 pm  County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Room 246  Tex Weaver  Have you heard of the GIS-Web, but don’t quite know what it is and what it can do for you? Would you like to know how to quickly access county mapping, real estate data, school districts, Fire Rescue boundaries, parks, or other geographic information? Do you receive requests from the public for mapping related products and wish you could help without sending them to another department? Then this class is for you! You will learn how to access a wide variety of County information via the Internet, such as Real Estate property information, geographic data and mapping. 
Leadership 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know  10/20/11, 1-2:30 pm  County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Room 235  Rob Heide  Is trust the foundation for leadership? Does the ability to influence people make someone a leader? Come find the answers to these questions and more. This course is about reflecting on the ideas outlined in Dr. John C Maxwell’s book Leadership 101: What Every Leader Needs To Know—copies of the book will be available for loan before the class. Knowledge will be gained through group work and participant-led discussion. The class is designed for new supervisors or those who may find themselves filling in for management from time-to-time. 
Managing Gen X and Y  10/12/11, 10 am-12 pm  County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Room 235  Frank Squillace  As baby boomers (roughly defined as those born between 1943-1966) manage and lead organizations, their need to effectively communicate with Generation X-ers (born 1966-1979) and Generation Y-ers (also known as Millenials, born after 1980) is of paramount importance. Designed especially for managers, this two-hour course will explore how baby boomers can best manage and motivate those younger generations. 
Managing Troubled Employees  10/06/11, 10:30 am-12 pm  County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Room 246  Rebecca Mason  This course helps managers identify the troubled employee and clarify how to address problem performance. We will discuss how managers can make formal and informal referrals to the Employee Assistance Program and describe other resources to assist managers. Information will be provided on common employee defense strategies and how managers can respond appropriately to keep the focus on the employee's performance. Students will use case studies and role play to practice new skills. 
Practicing Your Spanish  09/22/2011-11/17/2011, 2:30-4:30 pm  County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Room 246  Sandy Snow  “Practicing Your Spanish” can be taken over and over or on an as-needed basis; the class helps students who have completed the Beginner Spanish class to keep their language skills current and sharp. 
Rumors and Gossip and Hearsay, Oh My!  10/04/11, 3:30-4:30 pm  County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Room 235  Aaron-Paula Thompson  Using a case study, this class will look at why rumors and gossip are so destructive in the workplace and how to avoid getting dragged into an ugly and unprofessional situation. At the end of this 60-minute class, participants will know how to address and/or stop such destructive behavior, whether as a bystander, involved employee, or manager. 
Strategic Thinking  09/21/2011, 9-10:30 am  County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Room 246  Aaron-Paula Thompson  To keep up with change, strategic thinking is vital. Start thinking about how decisions affect your team or department in the long-run. This class presents a basic framework for thinking more strategically. 
Teamwork 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know  12/13/11, 9-10:30 am  County Office Building, 1600 Fifth Street, Room B  Dan Eggleston  According to best-selling business author John C. Maxwell, teamwork is at the heart of great achievement.  In this class, Albemarle County Fire/Rescue Chief Dan Eggleston will lead a discussion of Maxwell’s Teamwork 101 book and talk about his own experience leading high-performing teams.  Copies of this book will be sent to class registrants 3-4 weeks before the course meeting. 
True Leadership: Discussion of The Servant  11/09/11, 2-3:30 pm  County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Room 235  Bryan Elliott  Amazon.com says that “If you are searching for ways to improve your leadership skills, if you want to understand the timeless virtues that lead to lasting and meaningful success, then you cannot afford to miss [The Servant].”  Come discuss this book, which illustrates the true foundation of leadership, with the County’s own Bryan Elliott, Assistant County Executive for Community Services.  Class participants will receive a copy of the book to be read before class. 
Understanding the County's Budgeting Process  09/27/11, 11 am-12 pm  County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Room 241  Laura Vinzant  Are you interested in learning more about the County’s budgeting process? In this brief class, Laura Vinzant of the County's Office of Management and Budget will explain how our budget works. 

Total Classes Available: 22

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