Elected Official Relationships

The relationship between the manager and the governing body is crucial to the organization’s success. Honesty, transparency, and authenticity are keys to a productive relationship while dysfunction and trust issues in this relationship will likely inhibit organizational and community well-being. Since this relationship is so critical to the organization, each of the articles below offers guidance and advice on strengthening the manager-governing body dynamic.

Applicable Tenets and Guideline

Tenet 1. We believe professional management is essential to efficient and democratic local government by elected officials.

Tenet 5. Submit policy proposals to elected officials; provide them with facts, and technical and professional advice about policy options; and collaborate with them in setting goals for the community and organization.

Tenet 6. Recognize that elected representatives are accountable to their community for the decisions they make; members are responsible for implementing those decisions.

Tenet 10. Resist any encroachment on professional responsibilities, believing the member should be free to carry out official policies without interference, and handle each problem without discrimination on the basis of principle and justice.
Guideline on Information Sharing. The member should openly share information with the governing body while diligently carrying out the member’s responsibilities as set forth in the charter or enabling legislation.