While campaigning for office in a local election is a difficult endeavor in its own right, the transition from private citizen to councilmember holds its own set of challenges. In order to pursue the goals you were elected to achieve, you must become familiar with the mechanics of your local government, the players involved, and the new responsibilities that come with the position. While some municipalities provide an orientation to introduce new councilmembers to their new duties, this is not always possible due to staffing, time, or budget limitations. This is where ICMA's Council Orientation Webinar Series comes in.
This brand-new series is designed to prepare recently elected officials for their new roles, covering all the basics they'll need to know in order to be an effective leader. From form of government to ethics, from budgeting to media relations, this series will leave attendees well-versed in both local government structure and operations as well as the "soft skills" they'll need to succeed as a public figure. Led by George Cuff, a former mayor and leader of dozens of orientations across the United States and Canada, the series will feature a host of experts from former city managers like Kevin Duggan to members of ICMA's own staff like Martha Perego. Whether you're a new councilmember yourself or a manager looking to show your new council the ropes, this series will leave attendees well-prepared for the challenges of elected office.
What is the Council Orientation Webinar Series?
The Council Orientation Webinar Series is a virtual adaptation of the orientations many managers hold for their newly elected councilmembers. Hosted by experienced managers and local government experts, the program is designed to introduce elected officials to the day-to-day duties of a councilmember, and offer guidance, best practices, and pragmatic recommendations for the challenges these officials will face during their tenure.
Who is right for the program?
This series is aimed at managers interested in providing an orientation for their council, but are not able to lead one themselves. The content itself is aimed at newly elected officials who may not be familiar with the workings of local government.
Program Details
Each session will last approximately 90 minutes, and will begin at 1:00 PM Eastern on the following dates:
- Wednesday, April 27th – Session 1: Introduction to Form of Government and Strategies for Success
- Tuesday, May 3rd – Session 2: Roles and Responsibilities of the Councilmember
- Wednesday, May 11th – Session 3: Strategic Planning and Budgeting
- Tuesday, May 17th – Session 4: Public Relations
- Tuesday, May 24th – Session 5: Leadership
- Wednesday, June 1st – Session 6: Ethics
A recording of each session will be available on demand shortly after the conclusion of the live event, and participants will have access to these recordings for one year after they begin the session. Participants will also receive a certificate upon completion of the course.
Program Cost
- Member: $795
- Nonmember: $1,590
This cost is for your entire elected body. When you purchase the course, you will receive instructions for registering your elected officials, who will have independent access to each session and will receive personalized certificates upon completion.
