The California Joint Powers Insurance Authority’s Newly Elected Officials Academy was held in June in Laguna Beach with 23 elected officials from 17 member agencies. These newly elected officials were first seated between May 2017 and April 2019, attending the two-day training event that covered the fundamentals of local government.

“The Newly Elected Officials Academy ensures elected officials understand that they play an essential role in leading a unified effort to manage risk within their agencies,” states Chief Executive Officer Jon Shull.

Elected officials were provided an overview of the California JPIA along with educational sessions that covered the fundamentals of local government, the council/board member’s role, and reducing risk for elected officials and public agencies. The sessions delved into the legal, financial, and governmental structure issues for public agencies, the elected official’s role in risk management issues including civil rights violations, street design defects, and lawsuits from personnel, and complex risk management issues such as eroding government immunities, lawsuits from personnel, and dealing with the media. 

“The speakers and information provided were very helpful in explaining the overall role and responsibilities of council members,” noted attendee Kari Leon, council member from the Town of Apple Valley. “The Authority exceeded my expectations!”

Each year, the Authority holds various academies: training events that primarily focus on a specific public sector discipline. Each event is a multi-day training that presents essential theories and techniques to help when working on complex problems facing public agencies.

  • Executive Academy
  • Human Resources Academy
  • Leadership Academy
  • Management Academy
  • Newly Elected Officials Academy
  • Parks and Recreation Academy
  • Public Works Academy
  • Risk Management Academy 

The Executive Academy, Newly Elected Officials Academy, Public Works Academy, and the Risk Management Academy are offered at no cost to members.

More information about Authority’s academies may be found on the Authority’s website or by contacting Michelle Aguayo, Training Coordinator.

Providing innovative risk management solutions for its public agency partners for more than 40 years, the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (California JPIA) is one of the largest municipal self-insurance pools in the state, with more than 100 member cities and other governmental agencies.  Members actively participate in shaping the organization to provide important coverage for their operations. The California JPIA provides innovative risk management solutions through a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services, including liability, workers’ compensation, pollution, property, and earthquake coverage, as well as extensive risk management training and loss control services.

Photo: Scott Grossberg presenting at the Newly Elected Officials Academy