Overview

The Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills (CALS) embodies The Council of State Governments Southern Office’s mission of championing excellence in state government and providing nonpartisan forums for state officials who might rarely cross paths to share ideas. In addition to developing and enhancing leadership skills, the program provides participants a unique opportunity to foster connections, engage in conversations and take part in sessions designed to explore individual boundaries and perceptions.

Who Should Apply: New and mid-career state elected or appointed legislative, executive, and judicial branch officials. 

The Staff Academy for Governmental Excellence (SAGE) is a professional leadership development program for Southern state legislative, judicial, executive, and agency staff. In addition to developing their personal and professional leadership skills, participants have the opportunity to build a network of their peers from across the Southern region. By shaping staff leaders, SAGE ultimately aims to provide the public with more effective state governments.

Who Should Apply: Staff from legislative, executive, and judicial branches, new managers, and aspiring leaders in support positions. 

A standing committee of The Council of State Governments Southern Office, this group historically has been comprised of legislative agency directors across CSG South 15 member states. Starting in 2022, the group has entered a new era of leadership development and information incubation, opening itself up to all legislative, executive, and judicial agency directors and upper management. 

Legislative, executive, and judicial agency upper management should contact Angel Touwsma, Director of Programs, for more information on current LSA Directors Group news. 

A new standing committee of CSG South that was approved by the SLC Executive Committee in July 2022. This is an unique and new opportunity for legislative, executive, and judicial branch staff to cohesively drive informational content catered to educating staff on topics of importance in their own careers while providing opportunities to network with their counterparts across the South.

Upper-management government staffers, one per branch, per state, should contact Jazlyn Jones, Programs Associate, for more information on current SAIL Committee news.

CHIEFS 15X Leadership Retreat is a program designed exclusively for state government Chiefs of Staff in the 15 Southern states, providing a forum for strategic discussions, peer-to-peer collaboration, and professional growth. The annual retreat offers insights, networking opportunities, and practical tools to assist participants in excelling in their roles while engaging with colleagues, gaining new perspectives, and collaborating on solutions to some of state government’s most pressing challenges.

For more information, Chiefs of Staff from the Southern region can contact Jazlyn Jones, Programs Associate.

Named after The Council of State Government’s founder Henry Wolcott Toll, The Toll Fellowship is regarded as one of the nation’s premier leadership programs for state government officials. Held every year, the fellowship brings together 48 of the nation’s top officials from all three branches of state government to CSG headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky, for an intensive five-day “leadership boot camp”. Fellows will be challenged physically and intellectually, with programs designed to stimulate personal growth and provide priceless relationship-building with other selected leaders.

Who Should Apply: Outstanding rising state government officials from all three branches of government; elected, appointed and merit officials may all apply.