Everyone loves a birthday celebration, especially those commemorating the milestones of life. But to hit the century mark is truly spectacular!

It has been scientifically proven that in order to reach your 100th birthday, you must have inherited superb genes and developed a commitment to taking good care of yourself. We would submit that the same holds true for associations and organizations.

Celebrating 100 years of professional management service to local governments began with great genes embodied in such historical figures as Charles Ashburner, John Stutz, and Louis Brownlow. It also required hundreds of caretakers over the years in the form of board leadership, committees, and volunteers to ensure a healthy and vibrant ICMA.

We recognize, however, that it doesn’t end there. The vitality and impact of this organization is evident in the service that its members provide to each of their communities. ICMA’s Life, Well Run campaign puts it best: “Managers help make good communities great, giving everyone a place they are proud to call home.”

Those of us lucky enough to be here as ICMA celebrates its 100th birthday are proud to pay homage to the many committed leaders who have worked diligently to ensure that a strong and vibrant ICMA exists today.

A Remarkable Experience

ICMA’s 100th Anniversary Task Force (see list of task force members on page 57) has had so much fun putting the celebration puzzle pieces together this year. From the kickoff held at ICMA’s 2013 annual conference in Boston last September to the 100th annual conference in Charlotte this September, we have enjoyed the excitement of planning a big party and the importance of telling our story and preserving our association’s legacy. It has been an awesome experience and one that each one of us on the task force will cherish for the rest of our lives.

The ICMA Executive Board’s vision of the 100th anniversary commemoration resolved to not only celebrate ICMA’s rich heritage, but also to launch ICMA into its second century with enthusiasm and a renewed commitment to professional local government management.

Past and Present

Task force members knew that one fundamental component of our yearlong event, in keeping with that vision, would be a series of articles written by both seasoned and next-generation ICMA members reflecting on ICMA’s long and distinguished history, as well as looking forward into the future. We hope you will enjoy the articles and thoughts of past and present local government professionals as much as we have enjoyed compiling them.

So, 100 years after 8 men representing 31 known city and town managers gathered for an organizational meeting in Springfield, Ohio, ICMA continues to celebrate the spirit of cooperation and unity that brought those 8 leaders together in 1914. Every member of ICMA now plays a role in contributing those good genes and commitment that are necessary to the next 100 years of this association’s success.

We are so proud of our professional association and honored to be a small part of the history of ICMA!