The Pennsylvania Municipal League

Monthly Sneak Peak – November Courses
2026-10-22 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York)
Length: 1 hourDate: October 22, 2026 Time: 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.Format: Live, interactive, online session via ZoomPrice: FreePresenter: Melinda Schmitz, PA Municipal League, Training & Professional Development

Explore upcoming learning opportunities, gain practical insights, earn a discount, and discover the courses that are right for you—all at no cost.

Join us for a monthly free Sneak Peek session and get an exclusive preview of the following month’s training opportunities while learning something new at the same time. Each monthly preview session includes a brief lesson taken directly from one of the preview courses, allowing you to experience the content firsthand and see how the full training can benefit you and your municipality.

Bonus: Attend the October 22 Sneak Peek and receive a 10% discount on any course offered during November.*

November courses being previewed:

NEW – Calm Under Pressure: Communicating Effectively in Difficult Constituent Situations – November 3

Avoiding the Headlines: How to Evaluate your Municipality’s Compliance, Ethics and Transparency – November 4

Municipal HR Best Practices – November 17-18

Lunch & Learn November Topic TBA – November 19

*Rules Apply

To earn a discount, you must:

Register before the session

Attend the entire session

Have your camera on for the entire session and participate

Complete the course feedback form

The discount is for only the month following the date of the Sneak Peek

The discount is only for the person who registered for and attended the session. It cannot be transferred or used for a group.

One sneak peek session per month, only the previewed (following) month’s courses will be discounted.

Registration

By registering for this course, you are authorizing the League Learning Academy to forward information to you at your email address related to educational offerings.

Once your registration is completed, you should receive a confirmation email from The PA Municipal League. It contains the zoom link to the course. If you do not receive an email, check your spam folder.

Public Procurement & Bidding Essentials for Municipal Officials
2026-10-27 09:00 - 2026-10-28 12:00
TRACK: ADMINISTRATIVELength: 6 hoursFormat: Live, interactive, online session via ZoomPrice: Member $139 | Non-Member $199Date: October 27 & 28, 2026Time: 9 a.m. to noon (both days)

Instructor: Greg Primm

Greg Primm is the City Manager for the City of Lower Burrell, bringing 36 years of hands-on leadership in local government across diverse communities, including townships, boroughs, and a third‑class city. His career spans full-spectrum municipal operations, policy implementation, infrastructure delivery, and council–manager relations. Greg has also spent more than 25 years as a trusted instructor and course developer, shaping the next generation of local government professionals through municipal training programs.

This session is designed to be interactive. To encourage open discussion and active participation, this session will not be recorded. Come prepared to turn on your camera, share your thoughts, and participate in the conversation. Your experiences and insights will help make the learning meaningful for everyone

Course Description

Lead with Integrity—Strengthen Your Community Through Responsible Procurement

This course provides a practical and comprehensive introduction to public procurement and bidding processes within local government operations. Designed for municipal staff and procurement professionals, it covers the principles, procedures, and legal foundations essential to conducting fair, efficient, and compliant procurement activities.

Participants will explore key topics such as drafting bid specifications, conducting competitive solicitations, evaluating bids, and awarding contracts. Emphasis is placed on transparency, ethics, and regulatory compliance, with insights into navigating common challenges and applying best practices in public purchasing.

Case studies and real-world examples will be used to illustrate common challenges and strategies for ensuring compliance and transparency.

Key Topics

Key Statutes and Regulations

Procurement Cycle

Competitive bidding requirements

Bid specifications

Bid evaluation and contract awards

Ethical considerations in municipal purchasing

Who Should Attend

Municipal Secretaries

Treasurers

Clerks

Administrators

Auditors

Elected officials and Newly elected officials

By the end of this course, participants can expect to be able to:

List the key statues and regulations for municipal bidding and purchasing

Describe the steps in the procurement cycle

Draft clear and effective bid specifications

Evaluate vendor submissions using objective criteria

Execute contract awards in accordance with local laws and guidelines

Promote integrity and transparency throughout the procurement process

Registration

Send a message to lla@pml.org for group rates for 10 or more registrants

By registering for this course, you are authorizing the League Learning Academy to forward information to you at your email address related to educational offerings.

Once your registration is completed, you should receive a confirmation email from The PA Municipal League. It contains the zoom link to the course. If you do not receive an email, check your spam folder.

Participants must attend the entire 6-hour session to earn a course certificate.

Cancellation & No‑Show Policy

Cancellations must be submitted in writing at least 72 hours before the class to receive a full refund.

Cancellations after 72 hours may receive a partial refund, minus a processing fee.

No‑shows or failure to cancel will forfeit the full registration fee

Avoiding the Headlines: How to Evaluate your Municipality’s Compliance, Ethics and Transparency
2026-11-04 09:00 - 12:00
TRACK: MANAGEMENT Length: 3 hoursFormat: Live, interactive, online session via ZoomPrice: Member $89 | Non-Member $149Date: November 4, 2026Time: 9 a.m. to Noon

Instructor: Greg Primm

Greg Primm is the City Manager for the City of Lower Burrell, bringing 36 years of hands-on leadership in local government across diverse communities, including townships, boroughs, and a third‑class city. His career spans full-spectrum municipal operations, policy implementation, infrastructure delivery, and council–manager relations. Greg has also spent more than 25 years as a trusted instructor and course developer, shaping the next generation of local government professionals through municipal training programs.

To support meaningful interaction, this session will not be recorded. Your instructor will ask you to turn your camera on and participate in the conversation. Plan to be seen and heard!

Course Description

Understanding Where Municipal Decisions Can Go Wrong—and How to Fix Them

Municipal decisions often go wrong not because of poor intent, but because legal requirements, ethical standards, or transparency rules are misunderstood or overlooked in practice. This course helps participants identify where those breakdowns commonly occur and provides practical strategies to correct issues early reducing risk, improving decision‑making, and strengthening public trust.

This intermediate course is designed for municipal staff and officials who are prepared to evaluate and assess municipal practices beyond a foundational level. The course focuses on critical review of municipal government responsibilities, including governance authority, ethics, transparency, public accountability, meeting requirements, and records management.

Participants will examine real‑world municipal scenarios to assess compliance with the Sunshine Act, Right‑to‑Know Law, ethics standards, and accessibility requirements. Emphasis is placed on evaluating policies, procedures, and decision‑making for legal sufficiency, risk management, and effective public service. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to identify compliance issues, assess existing practices, and support informed decisions that strengthen governance and public trust.

Key Topics

Advanced Governance Authority and Responsibility

Ethics, Transparency, and Public Accountability

Sunshine Act Compliance and Public Meetings

Right-to-Know Law and Records Management

Policy, Procedure, and Risk Assessment

Accessibility and Inclusive Public Service

Who Should Attend

This course is best suited for individuals who already understand basic municipal operations and are prepared to critically review practices, identify compliance risks, and support sound governance decisions.

Municipal staff

Elected officials

Municipal administrators and managers

Department heads and supervisors

Board and commission members

Experienced municipal employees

By the end of this course, participants can expect to be able to:

Evaluate municipal governance actions for compliance with statutory authority, ethical standards, and transparency requirements.

Assess municipal practices for adherence to the Sunshine Act, including meeting notice, agenda, and executive session requirements.

Analyze records management and response procedures for compliance with the Right-to-Know Law.

Identify ethical risks, conflicts of interest, and accountability concerns in real-world municipal scenarios.

Apply legal and procedural standards to assess the sufficiency of municipal policies and decision-making processes.

Assess accessibility practices related to public meetings, records, and services for compliance and inclusivity.

Recognize potential legal, operational, and reputational risks arising from non-compliant municipal practices.

Recommend improvements to policies, procedures, or practices that strengthen governance, compliance, and public trust.

This course is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. Participants should consult their municipal solicitor or other qualified legal counsel regarding specific legal, personnel, compliance, ethics, transparency, records management, accessibility, governance, or other matters that may affect their municipality or organization.

The Pennsylvania Municipal League and the League Learning Academy make no representations or warranties regarding the applicability of course content to any particular situation and assume no liability for decisions made or actions taken based on information presented in this course. Responsibility for compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures remains with each participant and their municipality or organization.

Registration

Send a message to lla@pml.org for group rates for 10 or more registrants

By registering for this course, you are authorizing the League Learning Academy to forward information to you at your email address related to educational offerings.

Once your registration is completed, you should receive a confirmation email from The PA Municipal League. It contains the zoom link to the course. If you do not receive an email, check your spam folder.

Participants must attend the entire 3-hour session to earn a course certificate.

Cancellation & No‑Show Policy

Cancellations must be submitted in writing at least 72 hours before the class to receive a full refund.

Cancellations after 72 hours may receive a partial refund, minus a processing fee.

No‑shows or failure to cancel will forfeit the full registration fee

Municipal HR Best Practices
2026-11-17 09:00 - 2026-11-18 12:00
TRACK: MANAGEMENTLength: 6 hoursFormat: Live, interactive, online session via ZoomPrice: Member $139 | Non-Member $199Date: November 17-18, 2026 Time: 9 a.m. to noon (both days)

Instructor: Roseann McGrath

Roseann McGrath is a trusted HR advisor with 38 years of experience, including over 22 years as Human Resources Director for Lower Merion Township. A former municipal executive leader, she also brings HR expertise from healthcare and employment services. Since retiring, she has provided HR consulting focused on compliance, strategy, and performance, guided by the belief that human capital is an organization’s most valuable asset

This session is designed to be interactive. To encourage open discussion and active participation, this session will not be recorded. Come prepared to turn on your camera, share your thoughts, and participate in the conversation. Your experiences and insights will help make the learning meaningful for everyone

Course Description

Do HR Right—Strengthen Your Skills to Support People, Performance, and Public Service

Build a workplace that is fair, respectful, and productive—where people want to stay and succeed

Our employees are our most valued asset and most important strength. Managing human capital is just as important as managing financial capital and therefore should be given the same priority (if not more).

As local government professionals are increasingly asked to do more with fewer resources—often balancing multiple roles—strong HR practices are essential. Whether you are a new HR professional to municipal management or perform HR responsibilities in a non-typical HR role this is the ideal session for you.

Participants will gain essential HR knowledge and skills, from transactional fundamentals to strategic, transformational practices. The course provides ready‑to‑use tools such as checklists, templates, job descriptions, performance evaluations, employee handbooks, and policies.

Beyond compliance, the course emphasizes employee engagement and organizational culture. Participants will learn how to foster a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace that supports open communication, accountability, fairness, and mutual trust. The program offers an overview of best practices for human resources management in local government, focusing on leadership, innovation, diversity, equity, inclusion, performance excellence, and legal compliance—ultimately building a resilient, agile, and empowered workforce.

Key Topics

Employee relations

Recruitment and retention strategies

Performance management

Compliance with employment law

Disciplinary actions, documentation, and appeals

Proactive measures to prevent issues

Who Should Attend

This practical, interactive course is designed for new and experienced HR professionals, municipal managers, and staff who handle HR responsibilities outside of a traditional HR role

Municipal supervisory and management staff

HR Professionals

Elected, newly elected, and appointed officials

By the end of this course, participants can expect to be able to:

Build and maintain positive relationships between your municipality and its employees

Attract and hire qualified candidates, as well as list strategies to retain top talent

Describe the elements of a performance management system

Locate resources to ensure that all HR practices adhere to local, state, and federal employment laws

List the procedures for addressing employee misconduct or performance issues.

Explain the importance of developing and implementing policies and practices to prevent HR-related problems before they arise

Registration

Send a message to lla@pml.org for group rates for 10 or more registrants

By registering for this course, you are authorizing the League Learning Academy to forward information to you at your email address related to educational offerings.

Once your registration is completed, you should receive a confirmation email from The PA Municipal League. It contains the zoom link to the course. If you do not receive an email, check your spam folder.

Participants must attend the entire 6-hour session to earn a course certificate.

Cancellation & No‑Show Policy

Cancellations must be submitted in writing at least 72 hours before the class to receive a full refund.

Cancellations after 72 hours may receive a partial refund, minus a processing fee.

No‑shows or failure to cancel will forfeit the full registration fee

Monthly Sneak Peak – December Courses
2026-11-20 09:00 - 10:00
Length: 1 hourDate: November 20, 2026 Time: 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.Format: Live, interactive, online session via ZoomPrice: FreePresenter: Melinda Schmitz, PA Municipal League, Training & Professional Development

Explore upcoming learning opportunities, gain practical insights, earn a discount, and discover the courses that are right for you—all at no cost.

Join us for a monthly free Sneak Peek session and get an exclusive preview of the following month’s training opportunities while learning something new at the same time. Each monthly preview session includes a brief lesson taken directly from one of the preview courses, allowing you to experience the content firsthand and see how the full training can benefit you and your municipality.

Bonus: Attend the November 20 Sneak Peek and receive a 10% discount on any course offered during December.*

December courses being previewed:

Elected Auditor Masterclass – From Fundamentals to Excellence – December 1 & 2

Advanced Budgeting & Cost Management – December 8

NEW – Local Government Financial Reporting: Capital Assets, Debt, & Revenue Collection – December 9 & 10

Lunch & Learn Topic TBA – December 17

*Rules Apply

To earn a discount, you must:

Register before the session

Attend the entire session

Have your camera on for the entire session and participate

Complete the course feedback form

The discount is for only the month following the date of the Sneak Peek

The discount is only for the person who registered for and attended the session. It cannot be transferred or used for a group.

One sneak peek session per month, only the previewed (following) month’s courses will be discounted.

Registration

By registering for this course, you are authorizing the League Learning Academy to forward information to you at your email address related to educational offerings.

Once your registration is completed, you should receive a confirmation email from The PA Municipal League. It contains the zoom link to the course. If you do not receive an email, check your spam folder.

Elected Auditor Masterclass – From Fundamentals to Excellence
2026-12-01 09:00 - 2026-12-02 12:00
TRACK: FINANCIALLength: 6 hoursFormat: Live, interactive, online session via ZoomPrice: Member$139 | Non-Member $199Date: December 1-2, 2026 Time: 9 a.m. to noon (both days)

Instructor: Greg Primm

Greg Primm is the City Manager for the City of Lower Burrell, bringing 36 years of hands-on leadership in local government across diverse communities, including townships, boroughs, and a third‑class city. His career spans full-spectrum municipal operations, policy implementation, infrastructure delivery, and council–manager relations. Greg has also spent more than 25 years as a trusted instructor and course developer, shaping the next generation of local government professionals through municipal training programs.

This session is designed to be interactive. To encourage open discussion and active participation, this session will not be recorded. Come prepared to turn on your camera, share your thoughts, and participate in the conversation. Your experiences and insights will help make the learning meaningful for everyone.

Course Description

Own the Audit—Drive Accuracy, Strengthen Trust, and Lead with Authority

Whether you are preparing for your first audit or looking to update and build a firm foundation for your term, this masterclass will guide you from day one to effective, accountable service.

Learn how to reduce errors in coding and terminology and ensure not only a more accurate audit but also save time and build trust with stakeholders by demonstrating professionalism, reliability, and attention to detail. The course emphasizes practical skills in oversight, reporting, and collaboration with local government officials within the unique context of Pennsylvania’s municipal structure.

Through interactive sessions, real-world case studies, and expert-led instruction, participants will explore the fundamentals of municipal finance, auditing procedures, legal obligations, and ethical standards.

Key Topics

Foundations of Municipal Auditing

Navigating Local Government Finances

Core Auditing Techniques

Effective Audit Reporting

Legal Tools and Practical Resources

Who Should Attend

Elected borough and township auditors

By the end of this course, participants can expect to be able to:

Recognize the legal responsibilities and ethical standards required of municipal auditors in Pennsylvania

Identify the key elements of budgets, financial reports, and accounting systems used by municipalities

Apply essential auditing techniques to review financial records, check for compliance, and uncover irregularities

Create accurate audit reports and present findings in a way that’s clear for officials and the community

Choose the relevant Pennsylvania laws, codes, and proven best practices to guide your auditing process

Registration

Send a message to lla@pml.org for group rates for 10 or more registrants

By registering for this course, you are authorizing the League Learning Academy to forward information to you at your email address related to educational offerings.

Once your registration is completed, you should receive a confirmation email from The PA Municipal League. It contains the zoom link to the course. If you do not receive an email, check your spam folder.

Participants must attend the entire 6-hour session to earn a course certificate.

Cancellation & No‑Show Policy

Cancellations must be submitted in writing at least 72 hours before the class to receive a full refund.

Cancellations after 72 hours may receive a partial refund, minus a processing fee.

No‑shows or failure to cancel will forfeit the full registration fee

Advanced Budgeting and Cost Management
2026-12-08 09:00 - 12:00
TRACK: FINANCIALLength: 3 hoursFormat: Live, interactive, online session via ZoomPrice: Member$89 | Non-Member $149Date: December 8, 2026Time: 9 a.m. to Noon

Instructor: Fred Bean

Fred Bean brings rare depth in public-sector leadership, with 23+ years as a Pennsylvania municipal manager and 17 years administering local government health insurance cooperatives. A past APMM president, he instructs for APMM, and the PA Municipal League, and has served as a guest lecturer for ICMA, MCCMA, and DCED. Fred holds degrees from James Madison University and Shippensburg University and completed the National Security Seminar at the US Army War College. Fred retired in 2024 but stays active with ICMA and APMM as an Honorary Member.

This session is designed to be interactive. To encourage open discussion and active participation, this session will not be recorded. Come prepared to turn on your camera, share your thoughts, and participate in the conversation. Your experiences and insights will help make the learning meaningful for everyone.

Course Description

Turn Financial Strategy into Results—Cut Costs, Build Trust, and Lead with Authority

Equip yourself with practical strategies to strengthen fiscal management and improve organizational trust. Participants will learn how to identify opportunities to reduce personnel‑related expenses, enhance capital budgeting practices, and implement modern budgeting techniques within operational departments.

The course also focuses on effective engagement with elected officials, emphasizing communication and transparency to build confidence in financial decision‑making. Designed for managers, supervisors, and elected leaders involved in budgeting and fiscal oversight, this course provides actionable tools to support sustainable, accountable, and well‑managed local government operations.

In many respects financial operations are the backbone for a high performing municipal government. This course will help in maintaining a financial system to gain trust and integrity in the overall operations of your local government.

Key Topics

Personnel Cost Analysis and Control

Capital Budgeting Improvement Strategies

Modern Budgeting Techniques for Operations

Engage local government officials to build trust and transparency

Who Should Attend

Finance directors

Municipal managers

Elected officials

Newly elected officials

Treasurers

By the end of this course, participants can expect to be able to:

Identify opportunities to reduce personnel‑related expenses

Apply strategies to improve your capital budgeting program

Implement new budgeting techniques in operational departments

Engage local government officials to build financial trust

Registration

Send a message to lla@pml.org for group rates for ten or more registrants

By registering for this course, you are authorizing the League Learning Academy to send information to you at your email address related to educational offerings.

Once your registration is completed, you should receive a confirmation email from The PA Municipal League. It contains the zoom link to the course. If you do not receive an email, check your spam folder.

Participants must attend the entire 3-hour session to earn a course certificate.

Cancellation & No‑Show Policy

Cancellations must be submitted in writing at least 72 hours before the class to receive a full refund.

Cancellations after 72 hours may receive a partial refund, minus a processing fee.

No‑shows or failure to cancel will forfeit the full registration fee

Local Government Financial Reporting: Capital Assets, Debt, Pensions, and Revenue Recognition
2026-12-09 09:00 - 2026-12-10 12:00
TRACK: FINANCIALLength: 6 hoursFormat: Live, interactive, online session via ZoomPrice: Member $139 | Non-Member $199Date: December 9 & 10, 2026Time: 9 a.m. to noon (both days)

Instructor: Jennifer CruverKibi

Jenn CruverKibi, CPA, CGFM is a Partner at Maher Duessel with over 20 years of experience in governmental accounting and auditing. Known for her passion for the profession, Jenn brings deep technical expertise and a genuine love of teaching to every client engagement and classroom she leads.

This session is designed to be interactive. To encourage open discussion and active participation, this session will not be recorded. Come prepared to turn on your camera, share your thoughts, and participate in the conversation. Your experiences and insights will help make the learning meaningful for everyone.

Course Description

Beyond the Basics: GASB 34, Interfund Activity, Receivables, and Long-Term Liabilities

Governmental accounting professionals are expected to navigate increasingly complex reporting requirements while ensuring accurate, compliant financial statements. This course provides practical guidance on key accounting and financial reporting areas that often present challenges during financial statement preparation and audits, including revenues, capital assets, long-term debt, pensions, and OPEB liabilities.

Participants will gain a stronger understanding of how these transactions affect both fund and government-wide financial statements under current GASB standards. Whether you prepare financial statements, support the audit process, review accounting records, or want to deepen your governmental accounting knowledge, this course will help you improve reporting accuracy, strengthen compliance, identify common problem areas, and better understand the financial statement impacts of day-to-day accounting decisions.

Attendees will leave with actionable knowledge and practical insights that can be immediately applied to governmental accounting and financial reporting responsibilities.

Key Topics

Fund types, basis of accounting, and GASB 34 financial statements

Interfund activities

Tax and utility receivables and related revenue

Capital assets accounting and reporting

Long-term debt and accruals

Pension and OPEB liabilities

Who Should Attend

Government Accountants & Finance Professionals

Managers

Controllers

Fiscal Officers

Auditor

Others responsible for preparing, reviewing, or analyzing local government financial information

By the end of this course, participants can expect to be able to:

Apply GASB 34 reporting requirements

Account for receivables, revenues, and interfund activities

Report capital assets and long-term liabilities

List and define pension and OPEB reporting requirements

Identify common governmental financial reporting issues and their financial statement impacts

Registration

Send a message to lla@pml.org for group rates for 10 or more registrants

By registering for this course, you are authorizing the League Learning Academy to forward information to you at your email address related to educational offerings.

Once your registration is completed, you should receive a confirmation email from The PA Municipal League. It contains the zoom link to the course. If you do not receive an email, check your spam folder.

Participants must attend the entire 6-hour session to earn a course certificate.

Cancellation & No‑Show Policy

Cancellations must be submitted in writing at least 72 hours before the class to receive a full refund.

Cancellations after 72 hours may receive a partial refund, minus a processing fee.

No‑shows or failure to cancel will forfeit the full registration fee

2027 Annual PELRAS Conference
2027-03-03 00:00 - 2027-03-05 23:59 | Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, 325 University Drive, Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033
SAVE THE DATE!

Next year, the 2027 Annual PELRAS Conference will return to Hershey on March 3-5, 2027.

PELRAS members will have the first opportunity to book overnight sleeping rooms for next year’s conference beginning in October 2026.

Things to see and do in Hershey!

View Now!
