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At the last Baldwin County Board of Commissioners’ meeting, Commissioner Kendrick Butts and Vice-Chairman Johnny Westmoreland were recognized for academic achievement in the Lifelong Learning Academy.
Butts was honored for successfully completing the core requirements in the Lifelong Learning Academy.
“Commissioner Butts has finished several hundred hours of training to complete his course certification. He has also participated in some advanced education,” said Chairman Henry R. Craig, presenting the certificate to Butts. “Thank you for spending the time necessary to invest in the education to be a great commissioner.”
Westmoreland was honored for successfully completing the Quality of Life/Social Issues specialty track requirements in the Lifelong Learning Academy.
“Not only has he (Westmoreland) finished his core training several years ago but he has also completed every certification track in leadership and all the other programs available, so congrats,” said Craig as he shook hands with Westmoreland.
The meeting would erupt into applause for both board members and Craig thanked them for their dedication to the board and the wider community.
“We wanted the community to know that Commissioner Butts and Vice-Chairman Westmoreland had finished their training,” said Craig.
ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia collaborate to provide county officials with supplemental training and educational tools in the Lifelong Learning Academy. According to a press release about the rewards, each educational experience is tailor-made to ensure the individual taking the courses excels in specific areas of expertise.
“County officials are faced with many challenges and everevolving circumstances under which they must govern Georgia’s local communities,” said Dave Wills, ACCG’s executive director in the press release. “The Lifelong Learning Academy was created to help them navigate those challenges. I commend county leaders, such as Vice-Chairman Westmoreland or Commissioner Butts, who take full advantage of educational opportunities to further their knowledge on how to better serve their communities.”
According to the press release, the ACCG Lifelong Learning Committee meets regularly to review and adjust course requirements and curriculum to ensure they remain relevant and engaging. The committee is made up of county commissioners and staff from both ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia.