October VLGMA eNews
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October VLGMA eNews
VLGMA October eNews https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_previe... Having trouble viewing this email? Click here VLGMA October eNews Supporting local government managers building great communities through inclusion, innovation and leadership In This Issue A Memo from Steve O Tedd's Take Innovation Edge Municipal Fiber Networks Conference A DAO in the Life Certificate News 2012 VALHSO Annual Conference A Memo from Steve O A Memo from Steve O Dear Friends, As I write this I am between two conferences, VML and ICMA. It was abundantly clear that Williamsburg City Manager Jack Tuttle and Assistant City Manager Jodi Miller had worked very hard to ensure that Williamsburg was ready for VML. What a great city and conference! The cradle of our democracy always shows well, but the new Colonial Williamsburg Lodge and Conference Center proved to be a perfect venue and I hope VML will return there many times. During the conference, VGLMA's Professional Development Committee (aka Greg Kelly and the PDC) met and worked hard to develop a strong program for the VLGMA Winter Conference next February in Staunton. I was particularly glad that our VLGMA luncheon speaker, Dr. William E. White of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, believes in free speech, because he had been asked to provide one. Arguably the best speaker we've had in a while, his remarks about the birth of our democracy right there in Williamsburg and the teaching of that incredibly important history to the next generation were profound and enlightening. Thanks to Jack for arranging for Dr. White to be with us. The VLGMA board meeting provided officers an opportunity to report on our areas of responsibility, from budget to member support to Range Riders to Free Range Riders. Our membership now stands at 371, up from 365 a year ago. Life Members now total 69, up from 59 a year ago. I assume from these stats that the 1 of 7 10/1/12 10:30 AM VLGMA October eNews https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_previe... economy is improving and that some of us are getting older. The Board seemed open to my appointing an ad hoc Sustainability Committee to take the burden of sponsorship development off the back of the PDC. I am pleased to announce that Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields has agreed to chair this effort and is looking for other members to join him. Please contact Wyatt at 703-248-5004 or email: [email protected] if you can spare a few hours to serve VLGMA with this new initiative. Finally, the ICMA Conference convenes on October 7-10 in Phoenix. I am looking forward to attending and seeing many of you there and at the VLGMA/SEI Monday Evening Reception at Coach and Willies restaurant on Monday night, October 8. Shelby and I were in Phoenix last November for the conference planning weekend and were impressed with the huge conference center and the city's vibe, cleanliness and rich cultural amenities. It's a busy and beautiful time of year, coupled with the Washington Nationals having a terrific season, R.G. III looking great for the Redskins, and what promises to be a glorious fall foliage season. Life is good. --Steve Contact Steve Owen Tedd's Take A DAO in the Life Managers and Administrators Need to be Supportive of Each Other During Stormy Times An unscientific random sampling of managers and administrators at various recent events clearly indicates that the vast majority are dealing with increasingly difficult governing bodies. Be it the election of a new, fiscally ultra-conservative majority or minority, or an old, disruptive single member, the tenor of many boards is becoming more adversarial and even antigovernment. It goes without saying that such negativity can make the job of the chief administrative officer much more difficult, and many times that official becomes a focal point of the angst. 2 of 7 DAO's as the Back-up Quarterbacks of Local Government Over the past 21 years, I've called over 100 football games as a Matt Hankins college football stadium announcer, enjoying countless more as a fan, witnessing the response of backups in critical situations time and again. Some - like the deaf wide receiver converted to starting quarterback performed spectacularly; others, like the national champion running back's baby brother, failed at every turn. Spectators love backup quarterbacks, particularly when starters hit rough times. It won't be long until you sports fans will be hearing calls for Tim Tebow to start over Mark Sanchez or for a 10/1/12 10:30 AM VLGMA October eNews https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_previe... Aggravation caused by fellow board members has a difficult time being vented. There's nothing the elected officials really can do to corral the agitator(s). So where is all that pent up frustration to go? Too often, the whipping post is the staff, and, more specifically, the CAO. It may be totally undeserved and baseless, but it happens. "Been there, done that" in my short tenure in Florida - and I fear that what was and, unfortunately, continues to be common in Florida could be spreading far and wide in Virginia. What can be done? More than anything, managers and administrators need to be supportive of each other during stormy times. We need to reach out to peers and assure them that it is not "just them", and that this is not about their professional or personal character. It is a rattling experience, and something we as managers cannot simply "fix". Sure, efforts can be made to educate, and hold retreats and goals setting sessions, but if the membership is truly dysfunctional, there is little that can be done other than rise above it, be the adult in the room, and soldier through....... or find somewhere else to go. One wonders if this is the new normal, or just a phase. I'm pretty well convinced it's the former. Contact Tedd Povar Innovation Edge Building More than Just Reservoirs: Turn 3 of 7 flagging college starter to be replaced by an up-and-coming reserve perceived by the bleacher backers as better, stronger, faster, younger than their formerly beloved starter. While DAOs don't exactly mirror backup quarterbacks, I posit that their positions inspire important considerations for those of us standing behind the "big chair". Due to space constraints, I'll share more of those considerations next month, but here are a couple to get you started. 1. Be prepared - for this game and the next. Don't assume you're not going into the game. Change happens, and you can't play well if you don't know the game plan and the playbook. Be in sync with the big chair, and be familiar with and work with - all the other players. 2. Know your role, and play it well. You may not be the starter, but you are in your seat because you do particular things well. Support your team by excelling at what you do within the role that fits you. More follows next month. In the meantime, what considerations can you come up with that fit into this concept? Contact Matt Hankins Certificate News As the leaves begin to fall and the first blasts of cold air come rushing in, the Local Government 10/1/12 10:30 AM VLGMA October eNews Infrastructure into Engagement What do a new water reservoir, a tailgate party and workforce education have in common? For the City of Hillsboro, Oregon Water Department, it was the perfect way to introduce the new 10 million gallon concrete reservoir to the neighborhood. Rather than hold the typical open house in a government building the fun folks at the Water Department thought it would be far more relaxing to invite the neighbors to a barbeque at the future reservoir site and just chat over hamburgers and root beer floats. Staff set up tents, some chairs and fired up the barbeque and did something that in today's fast-paced, online-centric world may seem old-fashioned: face-to-face talking with the neighbors. And, the neighbors asked plenty of questions including what the impact of the reservoir would be on the water supply, how the drainage pond would affect mosquitoes, and what could be done to minimize construction noise impacts on a resident's homing pigeons. The creative energy for the reservoir project became contagious as staff began to think about different ways to engage the community in this important project. Getting people involved and excited about water infrastructure can be challenging, but not for the Hillsboro Water Department. Continue Reading... Visit the Alliance for Innovation for more information or contact Toni Shope, East Regional Director at [email protected] Municipal Fiber Networks Conference 4 of 7 https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_previe... Certificate students are full speed ahead into the fall semester. To students and non-students alike, the fall is the quintessential time to think about school. This is especially true for anyone thinking about returning to school. The Certificate is the perfect way to dip one's toe back into the academic waters. A handful of years ago, the first cohort of Certificate students decided to go back to school and test the waters of the new program. Many of those students have since moved on in their careers thanks to the program. For example, Spencer Suter, assistant county administrator of Botetourt County, has been appointed County Administrator of Rockbridge County. Also, Greg Kelly, town manager of the Town of Abingdon, is finishing his MPA at Virginia Tech this fall. For these two individuals and all other students in the program, the Certificate has provided a great jumpstart to their professional and academic careers. In addition to the Local Government Management Certificate, Virginia Tech is also now offering a new Public and Nonprofit Financial Management Certificate. This program is great for anyone who is interested in the world of finance and wants to try a program with a little more specialization. Plus, in the spring, Joe Casey, deputy county administrator of Hanover County, and Stephanie Davis of Springsted will be teaching in the program. So, with fall's arrival, the time is perfect to think about the many ways of getting back into academia. There is truly a cornucopia full of opportunities and benefits available once that first 10/1/12 10:30 AM VLGMA October eNews https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_previe... step is made. December 1 is the deadline to apply for all programs in the spring. Bob Stripling is anxious to talk to Municipal Fiber Networks Conference, November 8 - 9, 2012, anyone interested in the Certificate. He can be reached at [email protected] or Danville, Va 540-448-1102. Co-sponsored by Broadband Communities Magazine and the City of Danville, Find the Certificate online: Virginia, this is the first conference of its kind in this country, an event devoted entirely to the relationship between a 2012 VALHSO Annual Conference community's economic vitality and the presence of advanced broadband networks. Nations around the world have recognized this powerful linkage and responded to it, as have a growing number of communities in the United The 2012 VALHSO Conference is being States. Each event in this new held October 25-26 in Newport News at conference series will be held in a city the Newport News City Center Marriott. with an advanced broadband system. Please register by October 10th. This initial conference is in Danville, Click here for more info and to register. Virginia, the "Comeback City" that Future Newsletter Articles rebounded from devastating job losses when its traditional textile and tobacco A goal of this industries closed down with a visionary e-newsletter is broadband strategy that's creating jobs to keep you informed on and attracting the businesses and industries of tomorrow. The conference activities features an impressive array of speakers relative to our profession. As who will help attendees evaluate the options and opportunities to develop the with any membership-based organization, contributions by members optimal, affordable broadband are welcome and encouraged. Topics telecommunications solution for their communities. Check out the conference can range from a recent achievement in your locality to an upcoming event with at http://bbcmag.com/danville networking potential to human interest Local Government Virginia News stories about current or retired Stay connected via Facebook members. To contribute simply send with relevant stories from our your brief e-newsletter content (~5 group called " Local sentences or less) via email to Molly Government Virginia News " - simply request to be a member Harlow. of this group (it is a closed group 5 of 7 10/1/12 10:30 AM VLGMA October eNews https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_previe... so only other accepted members participate). Once you're a member, feel free to comment on postings and post stories from your local government to share with others. This new communications tool is designed for us to share, network and learn. Calendar Upcoming Events VALHSO Conference October 25-26 in Newport News Municipal Fiber Networks Conference - November 8-9 in Danville Winter Conference - February 13-15, 2013 at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel, Staunton More Dates Quick Links VLGMA Website ICMA Website Alliance for Innovation Virginia Municipal League VA Association of Counties Weldon Cooper Center forPublic Service Website Contact Forward this email 6 of 7 10/1/12 10:30 AM VLGMA October eNews https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_previe... This email was sent to [email protected] by [email protected] | Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribeâ„¢ | Privacy Policy. VLGMA | P.O. Box 400206 | Charlottesville | VA | 22904 7 of 7 10/1/12 10:30 AM
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