Here are some general guidelines for ensuring linkages between ICMA leadership and state associations and affiliate groups in the year ahead.

ICMA REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS

Each year, the regional vice presidents divide the states in their regions so that each state association has a single vice president as its primary liaison. These vice presidents are available as key contacts within those states to assist in bringing forward policy issues from the membership and state organizations. When their other duties allow, they also travel to those state meetings in their areas to represent ICMA in person. The vice presidents are the direct representatives of ICMA. It is appreciated when an opportunity is provided at your business meeting for your state's vice president to report on ICMA activities and to answer questions. As soon as your meetings are scheduled, please extend an invitation to your vice president. The ICMA Executive Board roster is readily available on the ICMA Web site. Information on each vice president’s individual state assignments is provided here.

ICMA LIAISONS

The ICMA Liaison Program assigns experienced managers or senior staff to assist each state association and its members. The liaison's primary contact is the state president. Your liaison will contact you periodically to ask you about state meeting schedules, issues your association is facing, and specific needs of your state's members. Liaisons who are experienced managers and members of ICMA are an important part of the team, offering support in a number of states. Liaisons are available to help all members within your state who have questions about ICMA. Please let your members know who their Liaison is and how to contact them, and make sure they are invited to attend your state association meetings.

ICMA PRESIDENT

While ICMA presidents attend a few state meetings each year, they rely on the regional vice presidents to attend as the direct representatives to the states in each region. This year's ICMA president, Jim Bennett, will attend each of the six ICMA Regional Summits planned for February through May 2015. In addition to his home state of Maine, Jim will attend state association meetings in California, Tennessee, Vermont, New Jersey/Pennsylvania (joint meeting), and Florida, as well as the National Forum for Black Public Administrators annual conference.  He attended the joint meeting of the Maine and New Hampshire associations earlier this month.

ICMA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Bob O'Neill looks forward to continuing his visits with members at state meetings. In addition to the six ICMA Regional Summits, he will attend state meetings in Minnesota, New Jersey/Pennsylvania (joint meeting), and Florida.  He joined ICMA President Jim Bennett at the joint meeting of the Maine and New Hampshire associations earlier this month.

If you would like to invite him to a state meeting in future years, forward the invitation to him at ICMA, 777 North Capitol St., NE, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20002, or via email to: Regina Anderson-Ford at randersonford@icma.org.