Politics and government go hand in hand, you cannot have a democratic election without political discussions on the current issues of the time. We all see these issues differently based on our viewpoints. Managers typically make decisions based on data and facts, while politicians might make decisions based on connections to constituent groups or ideological views. The differences in how administrators and policymakers interact are even more h...

We’ve all seen it play out through the media – a community leader does a poor job of relaying the message about a difficult issue and the community reacts through protests, tense town hall meetings, and angry comments on social media. Engagement with residents is about skill sets, but it is also an art. Communities that do it well are often seen as eutopias and those that do it poorly are labeled dystopias. Join us on April 14, for...

Join ICMA and a panel of data-driven equity experts as they dive into how you can optimize one of the most powerful tools for influencing change, the budget. By being guided by data and program-level insights, you can repurpose and reprogram your organization to achieve foundational results that result in thriving, equity-focused community outcomes. Stop by on April 12, for a 90-minute webinar that will help you rethink your budgeting strategy.

Put your American Rescue Plan Act funds to work for your community. With the specific purpose of aiding in the recovery from impacts of COVID-19 in mind, ARPA funds provide a unique opportunity to address a myriad of existing community issues that the pandemic has exacerbated. One such issue being the systemic inequities that create challenges for populations that are disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Join us on February 16th for a...

Learn how to change your workplace reputation You have been a solid performer who completes reliable work and you are viewed as a productive team member. Or perhaps you are a new employee and do not have much on the job experience, but you know that you have the skill set to do more. You have not yet been given the opportunity to display your ability to lead others and manage important projects, but you know in your heart that you can do it....

For many, the words “equity and inclusion” first brings to mind groups who have been discriminated against and sadly there are MANY. Most don't think of “Veterans” as one of these groups. Unfortunately, Veterans have been discriminated against so often that there are now Federal Laws that protect them. Fortunately, discrimination has not stopped any of our panelists from being successful and they are excited to tell yo...

Strategies for managing the future workplace Some experts say that we are in the beginning stages of new Industrial Revolution and the COVID-19 pandemic has only made it happen more quickly. What does the workplace of the future look like? Will technology/artificial intelligence replace some humans in the workplace? At what pace will local governments and businesses need to re-train workers to adapt to advancing technology? Will pandemics and...

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government continues to actively provide reimbursement and stimulus funding to equip state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments with the financial tools and resources required to combat the spread of COVID-19 and, now, to distribute and administer the COVID-19 vaccine. While the maze of federal funding can be difficult to navigate, planning your cost recovery now will help maximiz...

These future public leaders are those who have served in the military. Veterans are a workforce that can help you to fill the ranks of your local government in a time when all organizations are struggling to find and maintain skilled and accomplished people. Join ICMA and the International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR) to learn more about a study conducted by Arizona State University with local government HR Direc...

The Biden/Harris Administration, 117th Congress, and Prospects for Aid to Cities & Counties Transitions between presidential administrations and changing congresses present both opportunities and challenges for local governments. On the campaign trail, the candidates share the framework of new ideas that can either help or harm how cities and counties operate and make progress. Furthermore, the existing federal funding programs that commun...