Going into "transition" is a very difficult situation that all too many members face at some point in their local government careers. Any job change is difficult, but when it's forced on someone for reasons that often have nothing to do with their job performance, it can be traumatic. We want to be sure you are aware of the resources ICMA and its valued partners make available to members who are between jobs.
Remember that You are Not Alone. Keep in touch with friends, involve your family in your struggles, and stay active. You have much to contribute, and you will find a rewarding, new opportunity.
In Transition?
- Get enrolled. Contact: membership@icma.org.
- Access more ICMA and partner resources for members in transition
Supporting a colleague in transition
First and foremost, reach out to your colleagues in transition with advice and support! Also, consider members in transition for short-term and interim assignments in your community.
- Connect with colleagues in transition.
When a manager or assistant manager is fired, forced to resign or otherwise involuntarily separated from local government service, ICMA provides an array of personal and financial support.
- Personal Support
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ICMA provides access to support services from ICMA leadership, senior management staff, Senior Advisors, and other members. Members are given the opportunity to have their names listed in the ICMA Newsletter and on the website as "in transition." Their colleagues are encouraged to respond individually with advice and support. Colleagues should also keep in mind that members in transition are wonderful resources for short-term and interim assignments. In addition, each member in transition receives access to special articles and other publications designed to address common concerns during this difficult time. Click here for one example, a Colorado manual for managers in transition.
- Take Advantage of the ICMA Senior Advisor Program
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The counsel, experience, and support of respected, retired managers is available to you. Senior Advisors have "been there" and experienced many of the same problems, frustrations, and conflicts that you have. All discussions are on a confidential, no-fee basis. The Senior Advisors have offered to volunteer their time to counsel, brainstorm, and, most of all, listen. ICMA and the State Asociations in over 20 States share their travel, phone, and postage expenses.
- Learn from the Experiences of Others
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Here are just a few resources to provide guidance during this time:
MIT Resource Guide from Kurt Bressner Tips from Member in Transition Calls: Contact membership@icma.org for the details about our bimonthly conference call for other members in transition. Video: Susan Thorpe talks about ICMA's MIT Program
- Stay Engaged with ICMA and the ICMA Member Network
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You are still very much a part of the international ICMA network. Be sure to keep us current on your home and e-mail addresses so membership materials reach you promptly. ICMA recognizes how important it is that you continue to receive your member communications including Leadership Matters (member edition) with its job ads, PM Magazine, and access to the password-protected sections of icma.org.
Remember that your membership belongs to you, not to your employer. If your membership dues come up for renewal while you're in transition, just note that on the invoice, return it to our attention, and ICMA will waive your membership dues for up to three years.
Additionally, reach out to your state association; many states offer in transition members additional benefits and services.
Contact ICMA Member Services any time you feel the need for personal support or counsel at 800-745-8780/202-962-3680 or membership@icma.org.
Learn more about state association support for members in transition.
- Financial Support for Member Dues and Professional Development
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- Your ICMA Membership dues payments are waived.
- Your Annual Conference registration fee is waived.
- Unlimited access to ICMA University Webinars; the fee is waived.
On a financial level, ICMA waives dues payments in six-month increments for up to three years. To facilitate networking with their fellow managers and to promote professional development while in transition, the registration fees for the Annual Conference are waived. What’s more, we’ve made the registration process easy. Just register online as you would normally register, and because we have you listed as a member in transition the fee will balance out to zero at the end of the process. Members in transition are also given the opportunity to apply for a travel and lodging stipend. (For those who still cannot attend the Annual Conference, archived virtual conference materials are provided free of charge after the event.). Another benefit ICMA extends to the member in transition is unlimited complimentary access to all webinars.
- Make Plans to Continue Your Professional Development
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Come to the ICMA Annual Conference, with complimentary registration for you and your partner. Instructions for "in transition" members are included on the registration form. Members in transition are also given the opportunity to access travel and lodging assistance scholarships. For those who still cannot attend, archived virtual conference materials are provided free of charge after the conference.
ICMA also provides complimentary, unlimited access to ICMA University webinars priced at $149.00 to members in transition.
Register online for a webinar as you would normally. Because we have you listed as a member in transition the fee will balance out to zero at the end of the process.
- Maximize Your Job Search
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Consider the career resources available through the ICMA Career Center and the ICMA Job Center, which offers members a database of current job openings in the local government management profession, an online resume service, and online ICMA publications. Of particular interest may be:
ICMA’s Job Hunting Handbook for Local Government Officials ICMA’s Resources for the Interim or Acting Manager. (If you are considering interim assignments)
- Additional Support Services
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Retirement Savings While in Transition
In addition, ICMA-RC has developed a valuable brochure geared specifically to the financial needs of members in transition. They also provide a special 800 number that you can use if you have questions about how to handle your retirement savings during transition. Visit the ICMA-RC website for details.
Reputation Management Services for ICMA Members in Transition
Online reputation management is the process of preventing and repairing threats to your online reputation, but it also involves building a strong positive presence. It is done by tracking what is written about you using techniques to address or moderate that information. Tripepi Smith is the preferred provider of online reputation management products and services. MITs interested in accessing these resources, contact membership@icma.org
Featured Transition Resources
Information geared specifically to the financial needs of members in transition.
A member benefit, subsidized by ICMA, for Members in Transition.
A Periodic Digest of Resources, updated Sept 2021
Join ICMA Connect - the official online community for members of ICMA to connect, engage...
Online reputation management is the process of preventing and repairing threats to your online reputation, but it also involves building a strong positive presence. It is done by tracking what is written about you using techniques to address or moderate that information. Tripepi Smith is the preferred provider of online reputation management products and services. MITs interested in accessing these resources, contact membership@icma.org.
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Susan Thorpe, County Administrator, Yuma, Arizona, talks about ICMA's Managers in Transition Program
