ICMA Member Task Forces, Advisory Groups and Committees, are a great opportunity for member participation, connection, and networking. Descriptions of the different groups can be found below.
The ICMA Executive Board usually considers whether to establish new task forces or committees at its February board meeting. Members are encouraged to volunteer in the spring, and appointments are made by the president-elect in June. New groups usually start their work at the annual conference in the fall.
Task Forces
Task forces have specific assignments, work with defined deadlines (one to three years) and are composed of one group of members for the duration.
New for 2013-14
TASK FORCE TO UPDATE THE JOB HUNTING HANDBOOK
ICMA is organizing an on-call group of members who would like to review and revise ICMA’s Job Hunting Handbook. Revised in 2007, much has changed in the online world that should be reviewed incorporated into this volume. Member comments on the resource have also suggested new sections for consideration. The Job Hunting Handbook is an ICMA member benefit: http://icma.org/jobhunting. The task force will meet in person at the annual conference and then work virtually.
previously appointed Task forces
To commemorate the “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity presented by ICMA’s 100th anniversary, the Executive Board is creating a member-driven Task Force to engage other members in celebrating the accomplishments and legacy of ICMA’s first 100 years and explore how ICMA can continue to be a cornerstone for its membership as we begin our second century. Members will pay particular attention to the key historical milestones that should be highlighted for the membership. In addition, the task force will become familiar with the recent dialogue on leadership in the future and the implications for local government and the profession. The task force will hold its first meeting in March or April.
ICMA is organizing an on-call group of members who would like to continue the work of the first task force developing new resources to assist new graduates and career changers looking to break into the local government management career field. The first task force created more ideas for resources than they could produce, so we are continuing the effort. The task force’s work will be conducted primarily by conference call, e-mail, and icma.org.
In 2011, the ICMA Executive Board convened a task force of to evaluate ICMA’s revenue sources and specifically the membership dues structure in the overall context of how ICMA is financed and funded. Following expressions of interest, the ICMA President appointed 26 members to serve on the task force. Michael Van Milligan, City Manager of Dubuque, Iowa and former vice-president was appointed the chair.
The board’s financial policies establish long term and interim net asset targets to ensure the financial stability of ICMA. To achieve these targets, ICMA operates with a diverse revenue stream including dues, professional development offerings, grants and contracts, private sector contributions and sponsorships, publications, subscriptions, advertising, royalty payments and investment income. From time to time, members voice concerns about a source of revenue. Most often concerns are focused on the dues structure. Additionally, in an ever changing economy, it is important for organizations to periodically assess their revenue strategies. This group will address these concerns and position ICMA as a vital organization for the future.
The task force met in Washington D.C. in April 2012 to begin their efforts. They met at the ICMA Conference in Phoenix in October to discuss a series of preliminary recommendations. The task force will be meeting via conference calls. The next in person meeting is scheduled in Washington D.C. in May to complete its work. A final report will be presented to the board at the 2013 Annual Conference in Boston. The last task force on financing ICMA met in 2003-2004 and issued their final report in 2004.
ICMA is launching a new task force for the 2012-13 year to create a new resource to assist councils and elected officials by providing a template and process for conducting city, county, or town manager annual performance evaluations. The task force will be active for one year, and release the new resource for the 2013 ICMA Annual Conference in Boston.
This task force was formed to review the status of women in the profession and create recommendations and strategies for increasing the presence of women in local government management as ICMA moves into its next 100 years. The objectives of the Task Force are to:
- Assess the status of women in the profession through a review of the July, 1976 Report on the ICMA Task Force on Women in the Profession and an analysis of membership data since 1976
- Determine the barriers for women who wish to enter and advance within the profession and create recommendations for breaking down those barriers
- Identify opportunities for partnerships with existing initiatives regarding women in the profession (e.g., The Legacy Project/IL, Women Leading Government/CA)
- Define progress and identify metrics of success for increasing the role of women in the profession
- Create an Advisory Group that will guide all women’s sessions at the Annual ICMA Conference and annually report on the progress and success metrics
The task force will initially meet at the Annual Conference to review its objectives and determine its work schedule.
Advisory Groups
The executive director with periodically appoint advisory groups to assist with key initiatives.
Included in the 2013 Call for Volunteers
The Advisory Board on Graduate Education is a member group that meets jointly with professors of public administration for the purpose of enhancing the education of future local government management professionals. ABGE members are appointed by ICMA's executive director and work hand-in-hand with NASPAA's Local Government Management Education Committee, through three subcommittees: Managers as Faculty, Filling the Pipeline, and MPA Programs. ABGE members have created a number of useful tools for improving the education of future managers, including an Internship Toolkit, Internship Guidelines, and Guidelines for Managers Who Teach, which can be found at icma.org/teach. The ABGE meets annually at the ICMA conference on Sunday morning and holds conference calls throughout the year.
As the premier platform for professional networking and knowledge sharing in local government, the Knowledge Network is a major ICMA member benefit and a valuable resource for the profession. The Knowledge Network Advisory Board will influence the growth of the network by identifying the knowledge-sharing needs of local government professionals and providing feedback on the current member experience. Advisory Board members will also serve as leaders in the Knowledge Network community by making active contributions in their areas of expertise and encouraging colleagues to do the same. The board will meet quarterly: once in person at the annual conference, and the others virtually.
Libraries have long been community anchors that provide information and opportunity for all people. Today, public libraries provide high-quality public access to computers, the Internet, and technology training to ensure all people can benefit from opportunities online. Playing integral roles in accomplishing critical community priorities in economic development, education, environmental sustainability, diversity, literacy, public safety, and workforce development, libraries are helping to strengthen the services provided by local governments.
The Library Advisory Committee steers ICMA's work in public libraries and provides the program team with high-level feedback on project-related issues.
Sustainable communities advisory Committee
ICMA’s Sustainable Communities Advisory Committee will support the advancement of more sustainable, livable and resilient communities by:
- Promoting sustainability as a best practice of local government and a core competency of city and county management;
- Serving as advisors, partners, peer to peer mentors, and advocates for creating more sustainable communities
- Assist ICMA in expanding its portfolio of grant funded sustainability initiatives.
The full Sustainable Communities Advisory Committee will meet in person annually at ICMA’s annual conference and quarterly by conference call. Additionally,, the committee as well as subcommittees will meet as needed for project specific purposes.
not Included in the 2013 Call for Volunteers
Life Well Run Advisory Committee
The Life Well Run Advisory Committee will review and provide feedback on the member engagement activities of the campaign. This committee will include representatives from various-sized communities. It will be a short-term committee, and will ensure that members are comfortable with the level of involvement needed. This Committee will be a sounding board to test ideas for member implementation at the state and/or local level. The committee will consist of 10-15 ICMA members, and will meet virtually 3 or 4 times in 2013 and 2014.
RANGE RIDERS 2014 ADVISORY COMMITTEE
To celebrate 40 years of the Range Rider program and to enhance its value to ICMA members and state associations in the second century of ICMA, this committee will develop a process to engage stakeholders in developing a vision for the Range Program in 2014. This 15-20 member committee will be representative of key stakeholders (Range Riders, state secretariats and state leaders from the 22 states with programs, and other members served by the program, such as former or current MITs and first time administrators in those states) The group will meet via email and conference call and develop a working paper for discussion with Range Riders and other stakeholders in Boston. The goal is to develop a final report by February 2014.
Committees
ICMA committees are primarily those with delegated decision-making authority from the board. They have advisory roles and are ongoing, with staggered terms of members who serve.
Included in the 2013 Call for Volunteers
The Awards Evaluation Panel evaluates the nominations to ICMA's Annual Awards Program and selects the recipients of the Professional and Program Excellence Awards, which are conferred at each year's annual conference. Seventeen members, representing each of ICMA's six regions and including several at-large positions, serve on the panel for three-year terms. The panel meets Sunday morning of the annual conference and participates in one or two conference calls per year.
The Conference Evaluation Committee evaluates the ICMA Annual Conference. The 2013 committee will meet twice in Boston: Sunday, Sept. 22, 10:30-11:45 a.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 25, 1:00-2:30 p.m. Committee members are appointed for a term of one year.
The Conference Planning Committee plans the ICMA Annual Conference. The 2014 committee, which will plan ICMA's 100th Annual Conference in Charlotte/Mecklenburg County, North Carolina conference, will have an orientation meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2013, during this year’s conference in Boston, Massachusetts. The committee’s main meeting will be held in Charlotte beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 22, 2013, and adjourning by noon on Sunday, November 24. Committee members are appointed for a term of one year.
The Governmental Affairs and Policy Committee oversees federal and state policy issues and reports back to membership and the board. Given the committee's ongoing role and the value of maintaining some continuity in the committee's membership, one-third of the committee's membership changes each year. Members are typically appointed for two- or three-year terms. The committee meets Sunday morning of the ICMA Annual Conference.
This program engages current members in welcoming new members to ICMA. The focus is on U.S. members in local government and the goal is to make a peer-to-peer connection that goes beyond a member’s home state – one demonstration of ICMA’s national network. Members should have a passion for the profession and a desire to help new members discover the value of belonging to ICMA. Members are asked to:
- Commit to serve for one year (with the option for renewal) starting in January 2012
- Contact one to three members a month by e-mail and, if a conversation is desired, by phone
- Provide monthly feedback to ICMA on the contacts, including any suggestions for improvement on the process.
The ICMA International Committee serves as an advisory body to the ICMA Executive Board on a range of international matters and carries out an annual charge as defined and described by the board. The committee also works to communicate the value of having an international perspective to other members of the association, state organizations, and others. The committee consists of individual ICMA members, as well as one representative from each of ICMA’s international affiliate organizations. The committee meets Sunday at the annual conference and in the spring jointly with one of ICMA's international affiliate organizations. The spring meeting focuses on professional exchange and contribution to the international knowledge base. Committee members are appointed for a term of one, two, or three years.
Downloads
Roles, Expectations, and Responsibilities for ICMA Member Task Force/Committee Chairs (doc, 27 KB)
Roles, Expectations, and Responsibilities for ICMA Member Task Force/Committee Members (doc, 28 KB)