RELEASE ON RECEIPT


FROM ACCOUNTING TO TEAM-BUILDING TO WATER-WORKS, VIRGINIA
INSTITUTE OF GOVERNMENT GIVES LOCAL GOVERNMENTS A COMPREHENSIVE
GUIDE TO TRAINING PROGRAMS


     RICHMOND, Va., June 1 -- Virginia's local governments,
facing increasingly complex needs, rapid change and shrinking
resources, have a comprehensive new resource for help.
     The Virginia Institute of Government, established by the
General Assembly last year and based at the Richmond office of
the University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center for Public
Service, this week is delivering some 10,000 copies of a first-
ever Master Training Calendar for local governments, listing
hundreds of technical assistance and professional development
opportunities available for officials and government employees
throughout the Commonwealth.
     Knowing where to turn for training and technical assistance
has been one of the highest priorities of local government
organizations that urged the institute's establishment, according
to Carl W. Stenberg, director of U.Va.'s Center for  Public
Service.  One of the new institute's chief aims is to serve as a
clearinghouse for services and resources around Virginia, he
added.
     For the first time in one place, the new training-
opportunities booklet lists some 83 pages of programs, workshops,
and seminars available from colleges, community colleges,
universities, public and private agencies, and local government
associations throughout the state.  The subjects range from
accounting and animal control to economic development and ethics
to team-building and transit to water works and writing.
     There is also a listing of major meetings and workshops
sponsored by Virginia's local government associations and their
national counterparts. To produce the booklet, the institute
surveyed some 130 institutions and agencies about programs they
offer, Stenberg said.
     "Finally we have a 'Yellow Pages' of training opportunities
for local governments.  I haven't seen another state with such a
comprehensive catalogue.  Two thumbs up!" said Robert O'Neil,
Hampton city manager. 
     The Master Training Calendar will be updated regularly and
is also available on the institute's Internet home-page on the
World Wide Web.   The institute has also published and
distributed a "Guide to Internet Resources for Local
Governments," showing community networking opportunities for
local governments around the state and ways to access important
current state and national government data.
     The Fall issue of the calendar will be mailed out at the
beginning of August and will include programs from September
through December.  Annual subscriptions are available to non-
members of the Institute of Government for $35.  Local
governments that have joined the institute will continue to
receive the calendar at no charge. 
     For additional information contact the Virginia Institute of
Government at the Richmond office of U.Va.'s Cooper Center for
Public Service, (804) 692-0126.
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                                                     May 31, 1995

REPORTERS:  Billie Easton, senior program coordinator, may be
reached at number above.