2/27/03

Diane B. Clifton, 334/844-5117

AU TO HOST CAPITAL MEET ON GOVERNMENTAL EXCELLENCE

AUBURN -- Auburn University and its partners will host a conference in Montgomery on May 19-20 to address issues critical to effective governance in the state of Alabama and the South.

"The Conference of Governmental Excellence and Best Practices is an event that brings together mayors, state and county officials, members of Congress, political appointees with managerial responsibilities, academics, administrators, private sector CEOs and other experts to discuss and collaborate on the best governmental practices in the state and across the nation," says Don-Terry Veal, conference chair and associate director of AU's Center for Governmental Services.

In 1999, Governing Magazine launched its Government Performance Project and rated the practices of all state governments in five main categories: financial management; capital management; human resources; managing for results and information technology.

Alabama earned an overall grade of D, and was reported to be the worst managed among the 50 states.

Concerned that the evaluation would have a negative impact on the state's economic development, AU sponsored an independent study that found Alabama compared favorably with its Southeastern counterparts on the agency or departmental level.

But while individual departments used strategic planning, the state government as a whole had no overall plan that covers any of the five main areas being evaluated.

By 2001, when Governing again rated the states, Alabama had risen to a grade of C-minus.

"Alabama's grade in the current survey rose in four of the five areas the GPP covers," the magazine says in a web edition.

Veal says that CGS has been involved in state, county and municipal government sectors, and each has its own interests and associational involvements. All are valid, but separate and unique.

"We knew that if we were going to have an impact, we needed a catalyst to create an environment where governmental stakeholders receive the opportunity to dialogue and work together on practical issues facing government and organizations," he said.

"The conference brings all participants together to provide a springboard of opportunity for growth and development to agencies, cities, counties and other governmental entities."

In addition to AU and its outreach units, other sponsors and partners include: Auburn University at Montgomery; the Alabama Governor's Office; the Alabama Cooperative Extension System; the Alabama League of Municipalities; the Association of County Commissions of Alabama; Alabama State University; the University of Alabama; Troy State University; and Tuskegee University.

The conference at Montgomery's Embassy Suites Hotel begins on May 19 at 8:30 a.m., and concludes on May 20 at noon.

Lodging is the responsibility of the participant and is not included in the registration fee of $95.

Those interested in registering for the conference may call 334/844-5100 or register online at by clicking here.