Series will focus on policy and leadership

By Kristin McMillan

Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 | 2 a.m.

Brian Greenspun is taking some time off and is turning over his Where I Stand column to others. Today’s guest columnist is Kristin McMillan, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce.

For the next two months, politicians will be focused on the politics of getting elected and we, the electorate, will rely on the politics of the gut — what sounds right, who best aligns with our personal values and the party dogma we like best. Such is the nature of elections.

But once the elections are over, governing requires a different kind of focus. Good governance transcends sound bites and talking points. It requires a manner of thinking and longer-term perspective that goes well beyond political absolutes. Aside from politics, achieving a strong and vibrant future depends on groups of people — elected officials as well as civic and business leaders — working together to arrive at sound public-policy decisions. Whether education, infrastructure, social services, business regulation, economic vitality or health care, having the right policies in place is critical to the long-term economic health of our state.

We all have a stake in electing those who can make thoughtful and sustainable decisions based on sound public policies that will lead to good governance. And we have a shared, community responsibility to help our elected officials strive for good governance so they can make decisions that will serve our state well.

That’s why the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce is excited about a new initiative called the Public Policy Leadership Series — “People” Series for short. It’s a partnership between the UNLV Greenspun College of Urban Affairs and the chamber’s Leadership Foundation of Greater Las Vegas, a nonprofit agency that has dedicated itself to developing educated and capable community leaders, most notably through the respected Leadership Las Vegas program. The People Series is a five-week course that will appeal to people who hold (or want to hold) elective office or leadership positions in the public, private and nonprofit sectors and want to become more effective change-makers based on the tenets of good public policy and government functionality.

The course will be taught by School of Public Policy and Leadership professors in the UNLV Greenspun College of Urban Affairs and will present a range of policy topics and leadership-development training. The sessions will focus on the role of the elected official in the policy process; how to be an effective elected official and communicate well with constituents and the news media; the Nevada budgeting process and sources of revenue and funding mechanisms; and the tools and resources to evaluate policies.

The series will take place one evening per week for 2.5 hours per session. The fall series begins Sept. 22 and concludes in October. Applications will be accepted through the Leadership Foundation of Greater Las Vegas for selection into the class cohort.

In Nevada, with a Legislature that meets only every two years, it is critically important that legislation and regulations be crafted to serve the best interests of the state while avoiding as many unintended consequences as possible. If we improve educational opportunities to learn about the ingredients of good public policy beyond politics, we are doing our part to grow more effective leaders — leaders who will be better equipped to take on the complicated issues of our time and solve problems to improve our economic health, welfare and quality of life.

If you are interested in applying for this program, go to www.Leadership.Vegas to learn more.