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.

Live Webinar Sessions & Dates

Each session will last approximately 90 minutes, and will begin at 1:00 PM Eastern on the following dates:

• Session 1 | April 27: Introduction to Form of Government and Strategies for Success
• Session 2 | May 3: Roles and Responsibilities of the Councilmember
• Session 3 | May 11: Strategic Planning and Budgeting
• Session 4 | May 17: Public Relations
• Session 5 | May 24: Leadership
• Session 6 | June 1: 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.