A whole generation of managers has or soon will retire from local government management. Because our professional associations focus on our work lives, there has not been much support for managers who are struggling with how to successfully transition to their next life phase. In response, Cal-ICMA has developed the Senior Manager/Encore Manager Initiative and created a committee of active and retired managers to guide the effort.

Managers from other states, noticing this effort, have asked about how they might start a similar program in their state. This paper is written to make suggestions about how they might do that and to offer Cal-ICMA’s support.

The California committee has established a comprehensive program supporting managers as they craft a meaningful next life phase, whether their individual goals are retirement, consulting, teaching, coaching, writing, or any other activities.