Introducing PTI PTI in Brief Public Technology Institute (PTI) actively supports local government executives and elected officials through research, education, executive-level consulting services, and national recognition programs. As the only technology organization created by and for cities and counties, PTI works with a core network of leading local officials the PTI membership to identify research opportunities, share solutions, recognize member achievements and address the many technology issues that impact local government. PTI... Offers online training, publications and books, and conferences designed for the local government technologist. Creates partnerships between local government, private industry and federal agencies to ensure that jurisdictions have access to the latest and most effective technology solutions. Recognizes local government innovators with awards and recognition programs. Serves as the national voice for technology development and dissemination within local government. Partners with leading national media and academic institutions to showcase local government technology issues. Focus Areas PTI research and program areas include information technology and telecommunications services, energy and environment, E-government/mobile government, citizen engagement and responsive government, public safety technology, and infrastructure assurance and security. Within each of these focus areas PTI provides a number of research and educational activities. These include: Surveys on state-of-the-art technology-related topics, including the state of City/County IT;
Active online discussion lists for information sharing; Books, publications and expert papers and case study guides; Online and in-person seminars (more than 40 a year); Annual CIO and Leadership Summit. Awards and Recognition The annual Solutions Awards Competition recognizes PTI member local governments that demonstrate how they use technology to solve specific problems, improve community services and internal operations and reduce costs. Members are also eligible to apply for PTI Innovation Lab designation, a mark of excellence for the proven, successful deployment of a technology program, practice or strategy. The designation recognizes programs that are broad and comprehensive in scope, and supported by publication-quality case studies. PTI s Citizen-Engaged Communities designation program challenges local governments to achieve high standards in citizen participation, seamless service delivery and democratic accountability by making access to government services and information available through multiple channels: web, civic media, interactive voice response, and 311 call centers. Through an annual application process, city and county governments that successfully implement these technologies are eligible to be designated as Citizen-Engaged Communities. Web 2.0 and civic/social media technologies are dynamic tools for informing citizens, encouraging collaboration and engaging the public in government decision making. To recognize best practices in the use of these technologies, PTI recently launched the Web 2.0 State and Local Government Awards and Recognition Program. PTI s Fellows Program recognizes leaders in local government who have made exceptional contributions during their careers. Partnerships PTI has a robust corporate partnership program with leading technology companies in the local government marketplace. PTI also works with state municipal leagues, state county associations, universities and other nonprofits to promote the innovative work of PTI member local governments; and Introducing PTI / 2
to educate the broader audience of local leaders across the nation on the technology issues impacting them. PTI is engaged with multiple federal agencies to conduct pilot projects and in-depth research regarding issues of critical importance to our local government members. PTI and the Rutgers University School of Public Affairs and Administration PTI and SPAA have a strategic partnership in all areas of public performance measurement, as well as governance and technology leadership in public management. PTI and SPAA work together to address such objectives as developing next generation web-based training and information systems and programs. Through this strategic partnership, PTI and SPAA work to bridge the gap between theory and practice through enhanced training and professional development certification programs such as PTI s CIO Certification program and SPAA s Public Performance Measurement Certificate. Both Rutgers and PTI provide cutting-edge publications and co-create online webinars and in-person seminars. PTI and the Department Of Energy: Promoting Energy Assurance The Local Government Energy Assurance Planning (LEAP) program leverages PTI s 39 years of energy experience to help cities implement U.S. Department of Energy assurance, reliability and security programs. In 2010, with $10 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment for America (ARRA) funding, DOE made grants to 43 American cities, for each city to produce its own energy assurance plan. PTI provides technical assistance to each participating jurisdiction. LEAP cities will be able to save critical time during power and fuel disruptions, and potentially limit the impact of such incidents on citizens, local industry and all levels of government. The end product for each of these cities will be a thorough energy assurance plan, as well as a comprehensive set of best practices for critical infrastructure and facilities, similar to that now in place at the state level. Recent Accomplishments and Plans PTI completed a two-year research effort that identified best practices and standards for local government use of multi-channel contact vehicles - web, 311, Citizen Relationship/Records Management CRM - to engage the public. Introducing PTI / 3
As part of this research, PTI designated nine U.S. local governments as 2010-2012 Citizen-Engaged Communities. PTI received funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to create a Web 2.0 State and Local Governments Awards Program for 2011. PTI published the book Beyond egovernment Measuring Performance: A Global Perspective (2010). PTI published the book ehealth A Global Perspective (2010). With support from the United Nations, PTI is developing a guide on Best Practices in egovernment, for publication in 2011. PTI entered into a contract with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to develop a guide to mobile/mgovernment practices. In collaboration with the National Association of State CIOs, PTI will publish in early 2011 the book CIO Leadership for State Government. In collaboration with the Public Safety Foundation of America, PTI is developing the book CIO Leadership for Public Safety Communications: A Practical Guide for the Next Generation of Technology Leaders in 2011. PTI hosts weekly webinars on technology topics for a diverse local government audience. These have included the first Virtual Summit on Apps in Local Government that attracted more than 400 attendees. PTI created a national CIO Certification program in 2010. PTI heads the U.S. Department of Energy s Energy Assurance program to help cities across the U.S. develop energy assurance plans. In conjunction with the International Municipal Lawyers Association, PTI presented webinars in 2010 on legal issues relating to city and county uses of Web 2.0 and civic media tools. PTI is providing exercise and evaluation support and local government feedback to the Homeland Security Studies and Analysis Institute (HSSAI) for their Concept of Operations (CONOPS) project on creating effective response and information sharing procedures in the event of a biological attack. Introducing PTI / 4
Since 2002, in support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PTI educates local officials on the benefits of Energy Star and energy efficiency technologies in local government facilities. PTI offers members its Executive-On-Loan (SWOT team) program that utilizes experienced subject matter experts from within local governments, and consultants from PTI s pool of technology industry partners. PTI s Most Recognized Assets 1. Convenes councils and forums of leading technology practitioners in local governments; 2. Seeks unique partnerships that result in grant-funded research projects; 3. Maintains superior media relations and strong working relationships with other national associations; 4. Sustains committed professional staff, and a network of key strategic advisors; 5. Publishes timely, topical books, case-study guides and web resources of interest to local officials; 6. Celebrates member achievements through awards and recognition programs. History Established in 1971 by the major national associations representing state and local governments, PTI is the advocate and resource for early adopters and thought leaders who have a passion for the wise deployment of technology in governance. Today, PTI continues to enjoy a close relationship with the National League of Cities, National Association of Counties and International City/County Management Association. The PTI Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from the three national associations, the PTI membership and private industry. The Local Government Technology Network for...innovation...collaboration...government Entrepreneurship...Citizen Engagement Public Technology Institute 1420 Prince Street, Alexandria VA 22314 202-626-2400 Toll Free 866-664-6368 www.pti.org info@pti.org Introducing PTI / 5