Local Gov Life

**Note: A  25 minute mini-version of the documentary was show during the webinar. Due to licensing restrictions, that portion of the webinar was edited out of the final recording.Moderator:Pat Martel, ICMA West Coast Regional Director  Introduction by Tammie Simmons-Parker, Executive Assistant to Marc Ott and Executive Office CoordinatorSpeakers:Joe Smarro, CEO of SolutionPoint+Karen Falks, Deputy Chief, San Antonio Police DepartmentDr. Brian Williams – Associate Professor of Public Policy in the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of VirginiaSarah Medary, ICMA-CM – City Manager, Eugene, OregonResources:Ernie & Joe: Crisis CopsPowerPoint Slides presentation that accompanied the October 28 Webinar: Fireside Chat “Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops”

Presenters:Aimee Kane, PHR, Equity Program Manager,City of Boulder, ColoradoRoberto Montoya, West Region Manager, Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE)Siri Russell, Director, Office of Equity & Inclusion, Ablemarle County, VirginiaManisha Paudel, Equity Coordinator, City of Des Moines, IowaResources:Government Alliance on Race and EquityPowerPoint Slides presentation that accompanied the October 20 Webinar: Improving Equity with the Right Tools

Moderator:Quixada Moore-Vissing,  Associate Director for National Engagement Programs at Public Agenda  Introduction by Will Friedman, President of Public Agenda, and Steve Newell, Project Director, Center for Scientific Evidence in Public Issues, American Association for the Advancement of ScienceSpeakers:Emily Owens - Professor, Department of Criminology, Law, and Society, University of California IrvineMichael Sierra-Arévalo - Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Texas at AustinWalter Katz - Vice President of Criminal Justice, Arnold VenturesResources:America’s Hidden Common Ground on Race and Police ReformPolicing, Public Safety and Equity: Evidence and Insight for Better Policymaking

PowerpointPowerPoint Presentation that accompanied the September 16 webinar: COVID-19 Mass Vaccination: Preliminary Guidance for Local Government Leaders and Managers

*Participants in this episode were originally featured in a popular ICMA Coaching Webinar, Successful Supervision and Leadership. ICMA coaching webinars feature leading practices, strategies and tactics, and developing issues and trends in the field.Learn more about ICMA’s Coaching ProgramRead More About Developing Leaders in our Career Compass SeriesSee the latest Social Justice Resources

Speakers:Mark Welch, OpenGov  (former Finance Director at City of Ashland, Oregon)Ken Fritz, County Administrator at Winona County, MinnesotaPowerpointPowerPoint Presentation that accompanied the June 25 webinar: The Accelerated Shift to Cloud Software in Local Government

PowerpointPowerPoint Presentation that accompanied the July 23 webinar: City Health Dashboard: Using Data to Guide Your Jurisdiction's COVID-19 Response

Moderators: Leon Andrews, Director, National League of Cities Race, Equity, and Leadership Initiative, (REAL), Washington, DCRita Soler Ossolinski, National League of Cities Race, Equity, and Leadership Initiative, Program Director, (REAL), Washington, DCPanelists:Brion Oaks, Chief Equity Officer, City of Austin, TexasSerena Cruz, Executive Director, Virginia Garcia Memorial Foundation / Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, Hillsboro, OregonDr. Marie Peoples, Deputy County Manager, Coconino County, ArizonaThis webinar, hosted by ICMA, was developed in partnership with National Association of County Administrators (NACA), National League of Cities: Race, Equity And Leadership (NLC REAL),  National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA), Local Government Hispanic Network (LGHN), and  International Network of Asian Public Administrators (I-NAPA).Powerpoint:PowerPoint Slides presentation that accompanied the July 16 Webinar: The Two Pandemics: Systemic Racism and COVID-19

Moderator:Tom Wieczorek, Director, Center for Public Safety Management (CPSM)Panelists:Matt Fulton, Vice President, POLCO, National Citizen Survey/National Research CenterDeputy Chief Wayne Hiltz, B.S., former Interim Chief of Police, Pasadena and Irwindale Police Department, CaliforniaAngelica Wedell,  Director of Marketing and Communications,National Research Center (NRC)Chief John E. Perez, Chief of Police, City of Pasadena, California Matt Zavadsky, President, National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT)Powerpoint:PowerPoint Slides presentation that accompanied the July 15 Webinar: Transforming Law Enforcement to Address Public Health

Valerie Lemmie gives us more insight into her time as Cincinnati city manager during the aftermath of the 2001 Timothy Thomas shooting, her lessons learned during that time of social unrest, and what she envisions as the path forward.

Moderator:  Melissa Greiner, Director of Marketing, WizeHivePanelists:Jon McMillan, City Manager, City of La Quinta, CADoug Kinley III, Management Specialist, City of La Quinta, CAColleen Kardasz, Assistant Director, Loudoun County, VAPowerpointPowerPoint Slides presentation that accompanied the June 30 Webinar: From Relief to Resilience: Supporting Small Businesses During & After COVID-19

Moderator:  Thomas Wieczoreck, Director, Center for Public Safety Management, LLC,  Retired City Manager Ionia, Michigan; former Executive Director Center for Public Safety ExcellencePanelists:Craig Hartley, Executive Director,  Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) Margo Frasier, Vice President, National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement; former elected sheriff of Travis County, Texas, former police monitor, City of Austin, TexasChief Jackie Gomez Whiteley, Program Director, California Police Chiefs Executive Leadership Institute (CPCELI) at Drucker, Retired Chief, Cypress Police Department; Retired Lieutenant, Orange County Police DepartmentPowerpoint:PowerPoint Slides presentation that accompanied the July 1 Webinar: New Executive Order on Law Enforcement

Gordon Goodwin, Director, Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE)Genesis D. Gavino, Resilience Officer, City of Dallas, TexasDr. Fabiola Cruz, Epidemiologist and PhD Candidate in Microbiology and Medical Zoology, Puerto RicoThis webinar was developed in partnership with National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA), Local Government Hispanic Network (LGHN), International Network of Asian Public Administrators (I-NAPA) and Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE)PowerPoint Slides presentation that accompanied the June 19 Webinar: The Public Health Crisis and Racial Inequities

Jason Clement, Founder and CEO, Sports Facility ManagementEvan Eleff, COO, Sports Facilities AdvisoryAllan Rice, City Administrator, City of Hoover, AlabamaPowerPoint Slides presentation that accompanied the June 12 Webinar: Recreation Leading Recovery: Strategic Planning For the Rebound

Presenters:Gordon Goodwin, Director, Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE)Zan Gibbs, Chief Equity Officer, Office of Equity, City of San Antonio, TexasChris Fabian, Co-Founder, ResourceX TechnologiesThis webinar was developed in partnership with National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA), Local Government Hispanic Network (LGHN), International Network of Asian Public Administrators (I-NAPA) and Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE)PowerPoint Slides presentation that accompanied the June 11 Webinar: Sharpening the Focus on Social Equity to Make Strategic Budget DecisionsCOVID-19 Equity Framework and Rapid Response Tool

PowerPoint Slides presentation that accompanied the June 3 Webinar: Working Differently in a Post-COVID-19 WorldNACo

PowerPoint Slides presentation that accompanied the May 29 Webinar: Extraordinary ResilienceLance StrategiesBailey Strategic Innovation Group

CignaPowerPoint Slides presentation that accompanied the May 20 Webinar: Prioritizing Emotional Strength During Difficult Times

JLLStantecPowerPoint Slides presentation that accompanied the May 15 Webinar: Planning and Preparing for Your Local Government's Return to Work

ZenCityPowerPoint/PDF Slides presentation that accompanied the May 14 Webinar: Engagement During a Crisis: Local Government's Response to COVID-19

PowerPoint presentation that accompanied the May 8 Webinar: Fiscal and Organizational Strategies During a Pandemic

Special thanks to our sponsor SolSmart. Set your community up for solar success by joining SolSmart, a national designation program which recognizes municipalities and counties for encouraging solar energy growth. You can receive no-cost technical assistance from experts who review and update your processes to make it easier for residents and businesses to go solar. We can help with everything from Planning and Zoning, to Inspections and Permitting.  Learn more about this U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office funded program by visiting www.solsmart.org.*Participants in this episode were originally featured in a popular ICMA Coaching Webinar, Successful Supervision and Leadership. ICMA coaching webinars feature leading practices, strategies and tactics, and developing issues and trends in the field.Learn more about ICMA’s Coaching ProgramRead More About Developing Leaders in our Career Compass Series

PowerPoint presentation that accompanied the May 1 Webinar: Employment Law and COVID-19

PowerPoint presentation that accompanied the April 22 Webinar: Managing Crisis Communications During the COVID-19 Pandemic

PowerPoint presentation that accompanied the April 17 Webinar: Budgeting During a Crisis: Responding to the COVID-19 Recession

PowerPoint presentation that accompanied the April 15 Webinar: The Role of EMS in Local COVID-19 ResponsesCenter for Public Safety Management (CPSM)Academy of International Mobile Healthcare Integration (AIMHI)

PowerPoint presentation that accompanied the April 10 Webinar: Moving Beyond the Current Crisis - A Plan to Re-Open Our Communities

Sustainable Strategies DCPowerPoint presentation that accompanied the April 7 Webinar: Understanding the CARES Act and Other Recent Federal Legislation for Local Governments

PowerPoint Presentation that accompanied the April 3 Teleconference on COVID-19 and the impact on emotional health“Why Talking About Our Problems Helps So Much (and How to Do It),” Eric Ravenscraft, The New York Times, April 3, 2020How to Practice: The Way to a Meaningful Life, The Dalai Lama His holiness, Jeffery Hopomins Ph.D., et al.The Mindful Therapist: A clinician’s Guide to Mindsight and Neural Integration, Daniel J. Siegel

Tips for Recovering COVID-19 CostsPowerPoint Presentation that accompanied the Apr 3 Teleconference on COVID-19 and the tools and techniques for Managing COVID-19 Recovery Costs

Jeff Finkle is a recognized leader and authority on economic development. With the formation of IEDC in 2001 following the merger of the Council for Urban Economic Development (CUED) - where he was president for 15 years - and the American Economic Development Council (AEDC), Jeff set the course for a more effective and influential organization. Jeff previously served as deputy assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and has received numerous awards over the years for his commitment to making sustainable economic development a priority in communities of all sizes.  PowerPoint Presentation that accompanied the Mar 27 Teleconference on COVID-19 and the impact on economic recovery

Thanks to our sponsor ANSI offering Standards Connect, a digital solution to increase engagement, collaboration, and management of standards.  You can customize access for individuals and teams in Standards Connect’s flexible online platform.  You have the ability to create a catalog of standards tailored to your requirements.  Continued annual access promotes increased productivity and maintains compliance.  If you’re spending more than $2,000 a year on standards, please request a proposal for Standards Connect. Visit: https://webstore.ansi.org/Info/StandardsSubscriptions*Participants in this episode were originally featured in a popular ICMA Coaching Webinar, Successful Supervision and Leadership. ICMA coaching webinars feature leading practices, strategies and tactics, and developing issues and trends in the field.Learn more about ICMA’s Coaching ProgramRead More About Developing Leaders in our Career Compass Series

Dr. E. Oscar oversees a $28 million portfolio of programs along with its membership and meetings services. In his role, he directs the implementation of programs, promotion, and diversification of funding and assists in raising NACCHO’s profile through external engagement and partnership development for the advancement of NACCHO’s mission and the success of the country’s 3,000 local health departments. He is also responsible for personnel management and professional development; strategic planning; budget management; supervision of program leadership and services staff; and maintenance of subject matter knowledge of comprehensive policy issues that have an impact on local health departments and NACCHO.PowerPoint Presentation that accompanied the Mar 20 Teleconference on COVID-19 and the impact on public health

Season 6: Upping Your GameThe start of a new decade raises the question, “Where will I be in my career in 10 years?” Season 6 of Local Gov Life shares career advice to help you develop a professional growth plan. And don’t forget to check out all of ICMA’s great coaching resources at ICMA.org/coaching.Learn more about ICMA’s Coaching Program: https://icma.org/icma-coaching-programRead More About Developing Leaders in our Career Compass Series: https://icma.org/career-compassLearn to Lead When a Crisis Strikes : https://icma.org/leadership-during-and-after-crisisAbout ICMAICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12,000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to thousands of city, town, and county chief administrative officers, their staffs, and other organizations throughout the world. Find out more about ICMA, and the profession, at our website: http://www.icma.org Follow us on Social Media! Twitter: http://twitter.com/icmaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICMAORG/LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/icmaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/icmaorg/YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ICMAvideos

Season 6: Upping Your GameThe start of a new decade raises the question, “Where will I be in my career in 10 years?” Season 6 of Local Gov Life shares career advice to help you develop a professional growth plan. And don’t forget to check out all of ICMA’s great coaching resources at ICMA.org/coaching. About ICMAICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12,000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to thousands of city, town, and county chief administrative officers, their staffs, and other organizations throughout the world. Find out more about ICMA, and the profession, at our website: http://www.icma.org Follow us on Social Media! Twitter: http://twitter.com/icmaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICMAORG/LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/icmaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/icmaorg/YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ICMAvideos

Does customer service matter in your local gov? It matters to citizens. We interview two experts in local government public service to find out how they organize customer service improvement efforts. Our first guest, Cory Fleming, directs ICMA’s 311/CRM consulting services, where she provides contract services to local governments implementing centralized customer service systems. Our second guest, James Sullivan, is a public sector consultant and 311 advocate who helps organizations plan customer service strategies based on what their constituents need. If you're looking for advice on developing a customer service mindset in your local gov, this episode is for you. Resources Webinar: Building Customer Service into Local Government (for purchase) About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12,000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to thousands of city, town, and county chief administrative officers, their staffs, and other organizations throughout the world. Find out more about ICMA, and the profession, at our website: http://www.icma.org Follow us on Social Media! Twitter: http://twitter.com/icma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICMAORG/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/icma Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icmaorg/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ICMAvideos

About ICMAICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12,000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to thousands of city, town, and county chief administrative officers, their staffs, and other organizations throughout the world. Find out more about ICMA, and the profession, at our website: http://www.icma.orgFollow us on Social Media!Twitter: http://twitter.com/icmaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICMAORG/LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/icmaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/icmaorg/YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ICMAvideos

In the last election, voters in seven states voted on thirty-six cannabis-related ballot measures ranging from taxing medical cannabis to legalization of recreational marijuana. Michigan legalized medical marijuana in 2008 and recreational marijuana in 2018. Rebecca Fleury, city manager of Battle Creek, Michigan, and her colleague Eric Feldt explain how they adapted Battle Creek’s successful medical marijuana regulatory framework to recreational cannabis. Next, we hear from Nicol Killian, AICP, assistant director of community development for the City of Durango, Colorado. State law changed several times between 2010 and 2014, and she details how Durango took a reactionary approach to keeping up. Finally, Sean McGlynn, city manager of Santa Rosa, California, and his colleague Clare Hartman, AICP, deputy director of planning, outline their community’s proactive stance on legalizing recreational cannabis. They saw an opportunity to bring previously below-ground business activity into the fold.If you're looking for guidance on how to manage legalized cannabis in your community, this episode is for you.Key Considerations for Developing Local Commercial Cannabis Regulation (including a checklist) Webinar: Regulating Cannabis in Your Community (for purchase)About ICMAICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12,000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to thousands of city, town, and county chief administrative officers, their staffs, and other organizations throughout the world. Find out more about ICMA, and the profession, at our website: http://www.icma.orgFollow us on Social Media!Twitter: http://twitter.com/icmaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICMAORG/LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/icmaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/icmaorg/YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ICMAvideos

People in local government, from librarians to firefighters, have an incredible opportunity to see and act on signs of human trafficking--if they know what they are looking for and who to call. In this episode, Margaret F. Henderson of the University of North Carolina School of Government defines human trafficking and explains recent research showing that 19 of 25 business models of human trafficking would intersect with local government. Then, City Manager Donald Duncan tells us how he expanded human trafficking training beyond police and social services to include all employees of Conover, North Carolina. If you’re interested in learning how a local community can fight human trafficking, this episode is for you. Case Study: Stopping Human Trafficking HumanTraffickingHotline.org (Tel. 1-888-373-7888; text 233733) About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12, 000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to thousands of city, town, and county chief administrative officers, their staffs, and other organizations throughout the world. Find out more about ICMA, and the profession, at our website: http://www.icma.org Follow us on Social Media! Twitter: http://twitter.com/icma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICMAORG/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/icma Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icmaorg/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ICMAvideos

Every community needs a strategic plan. It can be hard to zero in on the right process. Our guests Kel Wang and Michael Sambir led a city of over 1 million people through 2 strategic plans from start to finish and they join us to explain how it’s done. Then, Angelica Wedell of the National Research Center identifies the 6 Es of strategic planning. Hint: it starts with “engage.” If you’re involved with helping a community decide where to go and how to get there, this podcast is for you. Strategic planning asks 3 questions: Where are we now? Where do we want to go? How do we get there? We take a look at how the city of Edmonton, Alberta completed 2 strategic plans: one for operations and another for the community. Kel Wang, the city’s corporate performance lead, and Michael Sambir, the city’s strategic coordinator, explain how they guided a city of over 1 million people through the process. Then, Angelica Wedell of the National Research Center, lays out the 6 Es of strategic planning. Hint: it all starts with engagement. If you’re involved in helping a community decide where it wants to go, this episode is for you. Edmonton Strategic Plans Strategic Planning Revisited, PM Magazine, August 2019 Thanks to our sponsor Spring City, which combines decorative historic streetscape luminaires, lamp posts, bollards, and traffic control pieces with modern advanced technologies. Products are designed and manufactured in the US. From smart city connectivity, dark sky compliance, to custom designed pieces contact Spring City’s knowledgeable staff to walk you through from planning to installation. Visit spring springcity.com or call Tracie Wolf at 610-569-4224 for more information. About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12, 000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to thousands of city, town, and county chief administrative officers, their staffs, and other organizations throughout the world. Find out more about ICMA, and the profession, at our website: http://www.icma.org Follow us on Social Media! Twitter: http://twitter.com/icma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICMAORG/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/icma Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icmaorg/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ICMAvideos

It takes a lot of courage to manage a local government. Between elected officials, your staff, and your residents, deliverables and expectations need to be managed with a level of complexity that can intimidate many. Fortunately, ICMA has tons of resources on how to make the best decision for your community- including the expertise of our members. In this episode of Local Gov Life, we talk to some ICMA members who discuss resilience in the face of The Great Recession, offer some advice on transparency with your elected officials, and share stories that remind us that you aren’t in this alone. If you’ve ever had to make a tough decision when it came to budgets and contracts, this is one episode you won’t want to miss. Give it a listen and check out some ICMA resources meant to help navigate you through the budgeting process without a scratch. About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12, 000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to thousands of city, town, and county chief administrative officers, their staffs, and other organizations throughout the world. Find out more about ICMA, and the profession, at our website: http://www.icma.org Follow us on Social Media! Twitter: http://twitter.com/icma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICMAORG/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/icma Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icmaorg/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ICMAvideos

For those of us in public service, it can feel like the weight of the world rests on your shoulders. With an unending mission of providing essential services to all reaches of our local populations, it’s good to know that there’s a helpful group of residents ready to get their hands a little dirty- literally. In this episode of Local Gov Life, we sat down with a handful of ICMA Members at our 2018 Annual Conference to weigh in on volunteerism and provide some useful tips on how you can start building a successful volunteer program in your community. Discussing some of the programs volunteers in their communities have assisted with, how to keep them engaged, and knowing when to take a step back, we promise this episode is worth a listen (or two, or four). If you’ve been looking for ways to get your residents active and volunteering, this is one podcast you won’t want to miss. About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12, 000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to thousands of city, town, and county chief administrative officers, their staffs, and other organizations throughout the world. Find out more about ICMA, and the profession, at our website: http://www.icma.org Follow us on Social Media! Twitter: http://twitter.com/icma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICMAORG/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/icma Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icmaorg/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ICMAvideos

ICMA’s history is rooted in the sharing of best practices among local government managers. From practical guidance, to the more ephemeral, a good mentor can provide the advice you need when you need it most. They can even help you think outside of the box, and approach issues in an innovative way. So, when asked to share stories of their own mentoring experience, these ICMA members had plenty to share. In this episode, we caught up with some ICMA members at the 104th ICMA Annual Conference in Baltimore to learn what it means to be a good mentor, and some of the most valuable ways that you can pay it forward. Take a listen and see what lessons you can take home to become a more present, equitable, and influential mentor in your community, and beyond. About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12, 000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to thousands of city, town, and county chief administrative officers, their staffs, and other organizations throughout the world. Find out more about ICMA, and the profession, at our website: http://www.icma.org Follow us on Social Media! Twitter: http://twitter.com/icma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICMAORG/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/icma Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icmaorg/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ICMAvideos

In this episode of “Making a Difference,” Chris Clark, a city council member from Mountain View, California, shares his perspectives on how professional local government managers can make the job easier for elected officials by bringing a high level of expertise and experience to the oversight of their communities. Councilmember Clark also discusses how the involvement of a professional manager helped Mountain View navigate a series of tough decisions during the 2008 financial crisis. About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12, 000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to thousands of city, town, and county chief administrative officers, their staffs, and other organizations throughout the world. Find out more about ICMA, and the profession, at our website: http://www.icma.org Follow us on Social Media! Twitter: http://twitter.com/icma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICMAORG/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/icma Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icmaorg/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ICMAvideos

It has been quite a year for Bertha Henry, county administrator of Broward County, Florida. She received ICMA’s Award for Career Excellence at last year’s ICMA Annual Conference and Governing magazine named Henry a Public Official of the Year. But those who know her are not surprised. Her passion for the people she serves and the profession of local government management drives her to make a difference “day in and day out,” as she says. In this podcast, Henry talks about the challenges her community has faced—from natural disasters to the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida—and how it has brought people together. She also discusses why she believes it is important to serve in a leadership capacity in local government, “to lift all in the community you have to help shape public policy.” About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12, 000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to thousands of city, town, and county chief administrative officers, their staffs, and other organizations throughout the world. Find out more about ICMA, and the profession, at our website: http://www.icma.org Follow us on Social Media! Twitter: http://twitter.com/icma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICMAORG/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/icma Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icmaorg/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ICMAvideos

In 2009, a citizens' group known as VoteCM'09 in Bainbridge Island, Washington, bid to adopt the council-manager form of government. The group was led by Dr. Robert Fortner, a retired kidney specialist turned activist. Fortner, alongside several other Bainbridge Island residents, was instrumental in bringing the council-manager form of government to the city. Residents successfully adopted council management with 71 percent of voters approving the change. Nine years later, ICMA sat down with Fortner for the latest episode of ICMA's Local Gov Life: Making a Difference, where they discuss the transition from the previous structure. They talk about how the relationship works between the city manager, Doug Schulze, and elected officials, as well as how the city is now light years ahead of what it used to be prior to being a council-manager form of government. About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12, 000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to thousands of city, town, and county chief administrative officers, their staffs, and other organizations throughout the world. Find out more about ICMA, and the profession, at our website: http://www.icma.org Follow us on Social Media! Twitter: http://twitter.com/icma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICMAORG/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/icma Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icmaorg/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ICMAvideos

For four decades, Carl Valente has served local and state governments throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, while also serving five years as financial management director of ICMA. For the past 13 years, Valente has served as the town manager of Lexington, Massachusetts, a town that is celebrated as the site of the first shots of the American Revolutionary War in the Battle of Lexington in 1775. Valente notes in the podcast that this moment in history has an impact on the community to this very day. In this episode of Making A Difference, Valente briefly touches on why he chose the local government management profession - and it came down to three things: 1) a call to public service made by President John F. Kennedy; 2) local government management principles and how important they were to running a local organization; and 3) exposure to policy aspects of government. And after a long career, Valente, who is set to retire in August 2018, credits his longevity to proficiency, keeping up with the changes, creating a professional development plan for himself, working hard to connect with residents, and focusing on what's important to the residents - not what's important to you. About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12, 000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to thousands of city, town, and county chief administrative officers, their staffs, and other organizations throughout the world. Find out more about ICMA, and the profession, at our website: http://www.icma.org Follow us on Social Media! Twitter: http://twitter.com/icma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICMAORG/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/icma Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icmaorg/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ICMAvideos

Julie Underwood, city manager of Mercer Island, Washington, has been the first woman and the first person of color in not one, but two, communities. “It seems silly but I thought if I fail, they’ll never hire another woman…another person of color again,” she said. She shared an anecdote about a councilmember remembering a woman who left a job to spend more time with her family. “He wanted to know if I would do the same thing,” Underwood said. Her manager asked the councilmember whether he would have asked that same question of a man. “He was mortified,” she said. “Unconscious bias. It happens all the time.” In this final episode of LocalGov Life, United Front, Underwood describes her career, her philosophy on finding mentors, and how she manages the “second shift.” With three children at home and a demanding career, Underwood stressed how she and her spouse team up on most family responsibilities and how she outsources some of the household chores. She also gives some great advice on how to have those difficult gender bias conversations in a positive way. About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12, 000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to thousands of city, town, and county chief administrative officers, their staffs, and other organizations throughout the world. Find out more about ICMA, and the profession, at our website: http://www.icma.org Follow us on Social Media! Twitter: http://twitter.com/icma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICMAORG/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/icma Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icmaorg/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ICMAvideos

Jane Brautigam has been city manager of Boulder, Colorado, since 2008 and is the first woman manager in the city's 90-plus-year history. Brautigam started out in the legal profession and then engaged with local government to eventually become manager of one of the most beloved and recognizable cities in the United States. In this episode of “Making a Difference," (powered by Capella University), Brautigam discusses how she "fell in love" with local government, as well as the challenges of diversifying a community and creating more affordable housing. She also discusses what being a professional local government manager means to her. About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12, 000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to thousands of city, town, and county chief administrative officers, their staffs, and other organizations throughout the world. Find out more about ICMA, and the profession, at our website: http://www.icma.org Follow us on Social Media! Twitter: http://twitter.com/icma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICMAORG/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/icma Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icmaorg/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ICMAvideos

After a 26-year career in court administration in Minnesota and California, Chris Volkers became the first female city manager of Moorhead, Minnesota. Volkers said she is proud that Moorhead is a community run mostly by women in leadership roles. “We all work well together; we each bring our own talents to our roles.” In this podcast, Volkers talks about the advice she received when she was starting out in her career—listen first before you speak—and says she gives advice now to young women beginning their careers. She advises anyone in the middle of their careers to reach out and help the next generation of managers. “I am so proud of those relationships,” she says of the mentoring experiences she has shared with students and others who have asked her advice. One thing Volkers admits she has been guilty of is to feel the need to “do it all.” She advises “Ask for help! The mother, wife, executive female doesn’t have to be the only one who takes the kids to the doctor.” She says that she and her husband often talk through workloads and split up the duties. As for who her #SheLeadsGov mentors are: “Any woman who has the courage to go for what she wants. Women everywhere are amazing.” About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12, 000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to thousands of city, town, and county chief administrative officers, their staffs, and other organizations throughout the world. Find out more about ICMA, and the profession, at our website: http://www.icma.org Follow us on Social Media! Twitter: http://twitter.com/icma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICMAORG/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/icma Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icmaorg/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ICMAvideos

Marcela Piedra is the first female CAO of El Centro, California. As a 20-year veteran of local government, she has moved through a number of departments, including economic development and community services, before moving to the CAO position. With this extensive experience, plus her educational background, Piedra is a well-respected leader and role model. Piedra believes that having had a city manager that “really embraced diversity,” helped her with the confidence to step into the leadership role she now holds. Here are a few other highlights: You have to believe in yourself first because if you don’t, how can you expect others to believe in you. Remember, you are a role model for every woman in the community and beyond. Be open to learning everything you possibly can; you have to be teachable no matter what you do. We’re all going to have challenges, it’s the relationships you have built that help you get through the difficult times. “To have an opportunity to change and impact people’s lives….and an opportunity to work with a group of people dedicated to what they do…how can I not love it?” About ICMA ICMA’s vision is to be the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 12, 000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to thousands of city, town, and county chief administrative officers, their staffs, and other organizations throughout the world. Find out more about ICMA, and the profession, at our website: http://www.icma.org Follow us on Social Media! Twitter: http://twitter.com/icma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICMAORG/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/icma Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icmaorg/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ICMAvideos