Training municipal elected officials: Current practice and a developmental model

This paper reviews training currently available to elected officials in US municipalities. It examines training offered by municipal leagues, professional associations and universities. The paper also reviews the literature on the kind of training needed by local elected officials. Needs vary with community size. From this information a model of training needs and delivery agencies available or appropriate for that training is developed. Due to the constraints on local officials in smaller communities, the collaborative model proposes that municipal leagues, professional associations, and universities work together to provide necessary training. A special role for Cooperative Extension Service agents is proposed as well.