Local Government Management Fellowship

The application for the 2019 Local Government Management Fellowship is now closed.

Emerging Leaders Development Program 

Build knowledge, skills, and abilities in the basic management and technical topics that managers need to know to be successful.

Leadership ICMA

Leadership ICMA is a competitive, intensive two-year ICMA University program designed to cultivate key competencies needed for successful leadership at all levels of local government management. Participants not yet eligible for credentialing join a class of select individuals to complete a series of five class modules and a team-based capstone project. All Leadership ICMA graduates receive one year of experience "credit" toward the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program. The program has graduated its thirteenth cohort and welcomed the Class of 2020, with members of the class of 2019 working on capstone projects hosted by the cities of Boulder CO, Frisco TX, Georgetown TX and Twin Falls ID. Program Details We are now accepting applications for the Class of 2022, which will commence in December of 2020. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis through July 30, 2020. The tuition and materials fee is $1,795 per year plus travel costs.*  Successful completion of the program is celebrated with a special certificate and membership in the Leadership ICMA Alumni Association. Apply Now What You Can Expect The small classes encourage a strong learning community. The initial orientation and team-building session is held in Washington, D.C., in mid-December. Participants later attend University of Virginia's Senior Executive Institute in May or June. The capstone project preparation meeting is held the next January or February at Arizona State University. Other travel is to work on small-group projects and meet at the ICMA Annual Conference two to three times. Participants also communicate through monthly conference calls and online discussions. The program facilitates networking within the profession and enhances connections between local government managers and their professional association.  Who is Right for the Program Applicants must be ICMA members and have at least three years of senior management experience in local government or a related field with experience in multiple departments. They must have completed the ICMA Management Assessment (formerly Applied Knowledge Assessment) for their own edification. (Results of the assessment remain confidential and are not considered in the review of applications.) Employers must sign a commitment form confirming their willingness to support the educational and travel costs associated with this program. Your Course of Study Class modules are scheduled over the course of the two-year period, including a capstone project that requires participants to demonstrate their competence in the concepts presented throughout the Leadership ICMA program. Each module requires considerable preparation through assigned readings, full attendance, and completion of written assignments that demonstrate a grasp of the subject matter in advance of the module. Faculty include well-respected academics who teach in public administration programs and premier local government executive institutes, local government practitioners, and other content experts. Module 1: Leadership Philosophy and the Essence of Public Service. Participants engage in a variety of team-building activities designed to develop a solid foundation for positive, honest, and collaborative engagement over the course of the Leadership ICMA program. This is complemented by an intensive overview of democratic values, leadership philosophies, and the value of professional management in a rapidly changing world. This highly interactive session is led by Felicia Logan, ICMA director of Leadership Development. Module 2: Understanding the Code of Ethics and its Practical Application. The Integrity/Ethics component of this module has its basis in the ICMA Code of Ethics and its practical applications in modern local government management. There is heavy focus on case studies and role-playing exercises. This session is led by Elizabeth Kellar, ICMA ethics advisor and deputy director. Module 3: Giving Voice to Leadership: Understanding the Role of Policy Administration and Advocacy. Key to understanding and appreciating the role of the elected official is the ability to understand the relationship between policy and administration. Through readings, case studies, and examples from local governments represented in the class, participants learn to better understand this unique relationship. Skills honed in this module include facilitating the flow of ideas, information, and understanding between and among individuals; advocating effectively in the common interest; communicating support for policies, programs, or ideals that serve the best interest of the community; and balancing the needs and demands of competing advocacy groups through negotiation. This module is presented in partnership with the Senior Executive Institute at the Weldon Cooper Center of the University of Virginia. Module 4: Organizational Effectiveness and Team Building. This module, completed in the second year, focuses on the practical concerns and skills of a high performance organization—the tools needed to help the local government become known for leadership at all levels, vision that is connected to values, high standards of quality, delivery of customer “value,” and strong financial performance. The module covers effective principles of trust, communication, role clarification, and performance accountability that can create the teams necessary for effectiveness in local government, particularly for participants who are new team leaders, whose team composition has changed, or whose teams are experiencing stress from external events Module 5: Strategic Planning and Project Management. Strategic planning capabilities are critical to playing an effective leadership role. This module, also completed in the second year, focuses on skills necessary to position the organization and the community for events and circumstances that are anticipated in the future, including the ability to analyze and facilitate good policy choices. Module 6: ICMA 101. This module provides participants with an understanding of ICMA’s mission, history, goals, organization, services, products, and opportunities for member involvement. Leadership ICMA participants are invited to actively engage in a leadership role within the association by serving on task forces, convening member groups for discussion of key issues, leading educational or informational sessions at the ICMA conference or regional meetings, or participating in an international project or exchange. Capstone The capstone project requires participants to demonstrate their competence in the concepts presented throughout the Leadership ICMA program. Working in teams, participants work on a local government consulting project solicited through a formal RFP process with a local government client. Through a series of facilitated exercises, participants are individually and collectively evaluated to determine whether they have met the criteria for graduation. Leadership ICMA Reference Form Leadership ICMA Commitment Form Leadership ICMA Legacy Fund Grant Application  *It is difficult for ICMA to provide a useful estimate of travel costs since they are different for every participant depending upon initial travel location, but potential applicants should feel free to look up hotel and airfare costs (and estimate time out of the office) based on the information below. The initial orientation and team-building session is held in Washington, D.C., in early-December for three nights. Participants later attend the University of Virginia's Senior Executive Institute (SEI) in May or June for eight days. There is a $650 program fee for SEI. (ICMA pays the remaining tuition cost of $3,760 per person.) Last year, lodging and meals for that event were $1,550 per person, not including airfare. The capstone project preparation meeting is held the next January or February at Arizona State University for three nights. Other travel is to work on small-group projects (travel paid by host cities) and meet at the ICMA Annual Conference two to three times (participants are responsible for registration, lodging, and travel costs). The staff, members, and alum of Leadership ICMA would like to thank ICMA-RC and the Leadership ICMA Legacy Fund (Class of 2010) for their generous support of our program. ICMA-RC’s contributions will ensure that Leadership ICMA as a whole can continue to offer younger generations of local government professionals incredible leadership development opportunities. The Leadership Legacy Fund’s contribution is designated to ensure that each participant - now and in the future - has the financial resources available to take advantage of all of the program’s components, regardless of budget cuts in their jurisdictions or changes in their employment. Thanks to the Leadership ICMA Legacy Fund, scholarships to cover the cost of tuition will be available. We are so grateful to partner with each of these organizations. 

Mid-Career Managers Institute

A focused leadership development institute for those who identify themselves as mid-career professionals.

Gettysburg Leadership Institute

Gain a strong foundation on how to excel in a leadership position.

Williamsburg Leadership Institute  

Compare the relevance of lessons learned in Williamsburg in the 1770s with what is happening in our communities today.

ICMA SEI Leadership Institute

This seven-day leadership program is the study of leadership and the leaders role in high performance organizations. Applications are now being accepted.

Legacy Leaders

Legacy Leaders is a program designed to encourage credentialed managers to mentor the next generation of local government professionals.

ICMA Regional Conferences

ICMA Regional Conferences are a two-day learning experience with career-building, mentoring, and leading ideas to help local government professionals and their communities thrive.

Upcoming Webinars

On Demand Webinars

A list of on-demand webinars may be searched by category or career stage.

Virtual Conference Webcasts

The Virtual Conference archives allow you to experience sessions from ICMA’s Annual Conference and to partake in the learning even if you were not able to attend the on-site conference. Archives of selected sessions will give you a sampling of the thought leadership that takes place at conference each year—all on your own time, right at your fingertips. Use the virtual conference as an opportunity to share professional development with your staff. For just one fee, your entire staff can participate. This cost-effective method of providing ongoing education to your staff is a win-win for everybody!  Please note that keynotes are only available for 60 days after the last day of each conference. 2017 ICMA Virtual Conference - (archives)  

Webinar Series: Effective Supervisory Practices

ICMA's popular series gets retooled in robust, new platform. This six-part webinar series is a must for any jurisdiction looking to develop the next generation of leaders.

Webinar Series: A Budgeting Guide for Local Government

A three-part webinar series that takes a forward-looking, strategic approach to budgeting.

Local Government 101 Online Certificate Program

Give your resume a boost with an ICMA professional certificate in local government management.

Local Government 201: Online Certificate Program

Gain a practical understanding of core topic areas that are essential to becoming an effective local government manager.

International Online Learning

Expand your knowledge with certificate programs and training materials for individuals and educational programs around the world.

Webinar Subscription Program

Take advantage of your membership benefits with an annual webinar subscription.