Representative Bonnie Rich

ATHENS, GA — Georgia State House Representative Bonnie Rich joined 27 freshmen lawmakers from across the state for the Georgia Legislative Leadership Institute (GLLI) in August. Representative Rich represents House District 97, which is wholly contained in Gwinnett County and includes parts of Duluth, Suwanee, Sugar Hill and Buford.

The most recently elected members of the Georgia House of Representatives and Senate attended sessions at the UGA Center for Continuing Education and Hotel on topics such as public values and policy development, leadership challenges, building trust, the American Republic and addressing fairness.

GLLI is an extension of the Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators and forms the core of a phased leadership development program for members of the Georgia General Assembly. It is designed to strengthen the leadership skills of individual legislators while also reinforcing the legislative institution.

The multi-day program allows lawmakers to explore the leadership challenges of representative government with faculty from UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government as well as legislative leaders and colleagues.

This year, new lawmakers learned leadership lessons from Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and House Speaker David Ralston and took part in a discussion panel with veteran legislative members Senate Democratic Leader Steve Henson; Representative Bob Trammell, Minority Leader; Representative Mandi Ballinger, Chairman of the Juvenile Justice Committee and Senator Dean Burke, Chairman of the Health Appropriations Subcommittee for Community Health.

The program, generously supported by the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, is designed to help legislators address key elements of personal, ethical, and political leadership as they carry out their roles and responsibilities as elected representatives.

“The Georgia Legislative Leadership Institute allows new legislators to explore their own leadership styles, better understand those of their colleagues, network with colleagues and gain expertise and skills to better serve their constituents,” said Laura Meadows, director of the Institute of Government.

Since its inception, more than 170 legislators have attended GLLI, delving deeply into the legislative process and gaining the skills to be a more effective legislator.

The Carl Vinson Institute of Government is a UGA Public Service and Outreach unit that provides customized assistance, applied research and professional development for government leaders and employees across Georgia and internationally.