NYAOT Member-Suggested Training Topics

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NYAOT Training and Topics Survey

1. What is your position in town?

Supervisor (or Deputy)

Town Board Member

Town Clerk

Highway Superintendent

Assessor

Town Attorney

Budget Officer/Finance Officer

Planning/Zoning Official

Code Enforcement Officer

Attorney

Department Head or Staff Member

Other

2. How many years have you served in local government?

Less than 1 year

1-3 years

4-10 years

11-20 years

More than 20 years

3. How do you prefer to learn or receive training for your job? Check all that apply.

In-person training (conferences and schools)

Virtual education (webinars and on-demand training)

Printed publication libraries and resources

Discussion forums where people can ask questions and get answers from peers

Longer, more in-depth courses on a particular subject

4. What type of training are you most looking for?

Foundational/basic training

Intermediate-level

Advanced strategies

Depends on the topic

5. Which training format(s) do you find most valuable? Check up to 3.

Traditional classroom-style presentations

Interactive workshops

Peer-led panel discussions and/or roundtables

Case studies and real-world examples

Q&A sessions

Other

6. How long is your ideal training session?

30 minutes

45 minutes

60 minutes

90 minutes

Depends on the topic

7. What makes a conference worth attending, in your opinion? Check up to 3.

Practical takeaways I can implement immediately

Updates on laws, regulations and policy changes

Networking with peers

Access to subject-matter experts

Leadership and professional development training

Exposure to new ideas and solutions

Certification or continuing edu credits

Learning about the Association

Vendors and product information

Other

8. Which topics are must-have or non-negotiable when you are considering whether to attend a conference?

State and legislative updates

Budget and fiscal management best practices

Grants and funding opportunities

Highway/Infrastructure/Water issues

Land use, planning and zoning

Personnel / HR issues

Ethics and governance

Emergency management and public safety issues

Cybersecurity and technology

Economic development

Renewable energy topics

Leadership and management skills

Other

9. What are some topics you'd like to see us provide training on in 2027 and beyond? Check all that apply.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in local government

Cybersecurity and data protection

Grantwriting and grants management

Workforce recruitment and retention

Managing difficult conversations and public meetings

Crisis communications and media relations

Economic development strategies

Housing and community development

Infrastructure and capital projects

Procurement

Shared services and regional collaborations

Ethics and transparency

Leadership

Succession planning

Fiscal and long-term budget management

Emergency preparedness

Tools for efficiency

Building and retaining public engagement and trust

Code enforcement issues

Planning and zoning trends and topics

10. In terms of service providers, what type of solutions in your town seeking?

Cloud and software solutions

Cybersecurity and IT

Legal resources and/or representation

Grantwriters

State agency resources

Insurance services

Financial consultants

Engineering and infrastructure services

None of these

Other

11. Would you be willing to share your town's successes, innovative projects, or lessons learned for possible inclusion in Association publications or presentations?

Yes

Maybe, I'd like more information

Not at this time

12. If yes, please share your email address or preferred method of contact and a brief description of your project or innovative solution.

0/500

13. What's one challenge your town faces that might keep you up at night?

0/250

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New York Association of Towns | 150 State St. Suite 203 | Albany, NY 12207 US

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