All of us have had role models and mentors who helped shape our careers and our values, and I believe we have a responsibility in turn to those who will follow us.

Brandt Richardson, county administrator, Dakota County, Minnesota

I learned that every time we encourage someone on her journey, we are a mentor. I learned that you don’t need to be a city manager to lead. I learned that none of us have to do it alone. And, finally, I learned that we are all pioneers in the field because of what we do today.

Penelope Culbreth-Graft, DPA, retired city manager

I strive to educate as many young adults as possible on the role local government managers play and how it goes a long way to helping individuals understand the importance of a professional city manager.

Opal D. Mauldin-Robertson, city manager, Lancaster, Texas

January Is National Mentoring Month!

Our commitment to the future of the profession will ensure that the next generation will continue our legacy to the communities we serve. 

Be a Mentor: Minimal Time Commitment; Lasting Rewards 

Mentoring provides a shared opportunity for learning and growth. In fact, many mentors say that they are surprised and grateful for the experience because it is more rewarding than they imagined. There are multiple formal and informal opportunities to mentor within your local government organization, through other professional associations, and through ICMA.

Here are some ideas (and share your ideas in the comments below):

• Advise a young professional from your community or another community about the rewards of local government management.
• Reach out to new ICMA members,  newly appointed professionals, and managers in transition to share encouragement and experiences.
• Share your experience by serving as adjunct faculty at a local university.
• Connect your alma mater with the ICMA Student Chapter program.
• Encourage your staff to join ICMA: ICMA offers a reduced-fee membership to entry-level to mid-management members (under department head) to provide comprehensive career tools and to help those early in their local government career to better frame their professional identity.
• Encourage early career professionals and emerging leaders to participate in professional development and leadership opportunities, some of which include:
• Emerging Professionals Leadership Institute: special low-cost, ICMA University leadership programs preceding the ICMA Regional Summits that offer early career professionals and emerging leaders a way to build their leadership skill set.
• Emerging Leaders Development Program: a two-year program designed to help early to mid-career professionals build contemporary management skills.
• Leadership ICMA: an intensive two-year ICMA University program designed to cultivate key competencies needed for successful leadership at all levels of local government management. 

Mentoring can also “count” as qualifying professional development as you renew your ICMA Credentialed Manager status. The time spent in formal mentoring activities can count toward 20 hours maximum of the 40-hour annual professional development requirement, if the mentee is not an employee of the ICMA Credentialed Manager. 

Related Resources

• ICMA University Leadership Development
• Cal-ICMA Coaching Program
• Senior Advisor Program
• Go Teach a Course! 

Remember to thank your mentor!

Even though "Thank Your Mentor Day"* was celebrated on January 15, you can still thank your mentor(s) by sending a note or a card, or by sharing a story on our website and through social media using #localgov #SomeoneWhoMatters.

*Thank Your Mentor Day™ is an initiative of the Harvard School of Public Health.