The SOLGM Opus Business School is launching the newest addition to its suite of services to local government - the SOLGM Webinar Series.
“With the economic downturn last year, many councils have reduced their training budgets. We took this opportunity to find ways to deliver cost effective learning to the sector - and the solution was to use the webinar technology,” said Athol Stephens, SOLGM Vice President.
A webinar is an interactive seminar conducted via the internet. The presentation is delivered from the presenter’s desktop and the participants view the presentation as it happens. Participants get to ask questions via voice or instant messaging.
“What is so great about webinars is that it saves our customers travel costs and time. It also encourages wider participation, especially from those who are usually constrained by travel to attend courses.”
The webinars will complement the current courses and events delivered by the SOLGM Opus Business School.
“We are not replacing the courses that are best delivered by face-to-face learning, which enable live discussion between council staff and promote valuable networking. Webinars will be on topics that can be delivered in short, effective bursts,” Athol added.
The TAFM Webinar Series will be the first of the many webinars SOLGM will deliver.
The TAFM Bill (officially, the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill 2010) was released last month and is now open for consultation. SOLGM is using the TAFM webinars to educate local government managers and staff on the proposals and the fine print of the legislation.
“SOLGM prepared a draft submission on the Bill advocating the changes we think should be made. We will be discussing some of the big crunchy issues of the draft submission in our TAFM webinars,” Raymond Horan, SOLGM Senior Advisor.
There will be a short presentation during the webinar, followed by a facilitated discussion handled by expert panelists.
SOLGM is doing three different webinars on specific aspects of the Bill: Financial Strategy and Management, Pre-Election Report and Community Outcomes and Performance Information. These webinars are scheduled in the week of 24 May and the week of 7 June.