ATLANTA — The Georgia Municipal Association honored Hinesville City Council members Keith Jenkins and Diana Reid at its annual convention in Savannah June 25 for training they completed in the last year.

Jenkins received a Certificate of Dedication from the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute. Reid received the institute’s Certificate of Recognition.

The institute, a cooperative effort of GMA and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, provides training for city officials.

The Certificate of Dedication requires 276 hours of training, including at least 108 hours from required classes, 18 hours of which must be from an advanced leadership track, and the Robert E. Knox Jr. Municipal Leadership Institute. After obtaining the certificate, officials must complete nine hours of continuing education each year. The program consists of a series of more than 60 courses.

Jenkins was one of 10 city officials to receive the certificate at the convention.

"This outstanding achievement truly speaks to the dedication shown by these recipients," GMA Executive Director Lamar Norton said. "As one of the inaugural recipients of the Certificate of Dedication, we commend Councilmember Jenkins for this accomplishment and for the commitment he’s shown in using this valuable resource to become a more effective city official."

Stacy Jones, interim director for the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government, said, "Their commitment to education means they are bringing back tools, insights, knowledge, resources and networks to strengthen their cities."

Norton also praised Reid, for the Certificate of Recognition, which requires officials to complete a minimum of 42 units of credit, including at least 18 hours of required classes. The training program consists of a series of more than 60 courses.

Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, non-profit that provides legislative advocacy, research, training, employee benefit and technical consulting services to its 521 member cities.