More Highlights at the 2011 MMA Convention
September 07, 2011
On this page two months ago, I wrote about Maine Municipal Association’s 2011 Convention, keynoter Scott Paine and some of the featured speakers we look forward to seeing and hearing. Today, I’m pleased to say the convention details are falling into place.
The 2011 convention is special because it marks MMA’s 75th year. We’re celebrating that by turning the focus outward, and honoring the many Mainers who have dedicated substantial parts of their lives to municipal and community service. This will be a theme throughout the year for MMA and it will be quite evident at the convention. Here are some other highlights:
Elected Officials: The men and women on the front lines of democracy in Maine serve for little fame, even less money and they have a boatload of responsibilities. Nine separate presentations over the two-day convention are dedicated to elected officials, ranging from Paine’s keynote speech on leadership in what he calls “the New Normal” to a relatively new MMA program on the “Roles of Municipal Selectmen, Councilors and Managers.” That workshop, presented earlier this year in the Town of Union, is led by two stalwarts of municipal service in Maine, former Brunswick Town Manager Don Gerrish and former Portland Mayor and Councilwoman Pam Plumb. David Barrett, head of MMA’s Personnel Services & Labor Relations Department, will join them as well.
Money & Finance: As everyone knows, financial issues have dominated municipal government over the past several years. These challenges were well-explored – and well-received – at the 2010 MMA Convention. We’re sticking with the topic again this year. Workshops on capital projects during tough times, protecting online financial accounts and understanding municipal audits all have been scheduled, with prominent municipal leaders, bankers, engineers and attorneys lined up to present.
Technology: Is anything changing faster than technology and the information revolution that computers have made possible? Paine, a University of Tampa expert in this field and two-term City Councilor in Tampa, has agreed to present a workshop on the information revolution and to participate in a panel discussion on social media, during the convention’s second day. Ellsworth City Manager Michelle Beal and Lewiston attorney Peter Lowe will join Scott as part of that panel discussion.
Human Resources: Tight financial times also put great pressure on people who manage municipal employees. Terms like “performance management,” “downsizing” and “succession planning” are common in the municipal lexicon these days – and HR decisions must be made wisely. Four workshops are scheduled with HR themes including a first for MMA, when one of our new online-training partners uses the convention’s “virtual classroom” to present a program that will help elected officials evaluate town and city managers.
Fun stuff, too: Nothing extravagant, but we’re planning some neat things that we hope will make the 2011 Convention one that attendees remember for a long time. The Downeast Brass Quintet will perform a one-hour concert during the Member Appreciation Reception, which starts at 4:30 p.m. on the opening day.
MMA’s State & Federal Relations staff is arranging a fireworks demonstration that will show what fireworks are legal in Maine now and which ones will be when a new law expanding fireworks use and sales takes effect.
We like surprises, so there will be a few of those as well. (Here’s a hint: If any town has a public works vehicle that was in use 75 years ago and is still running, please contact me at 1-800-452-8786 or econrad@memun.org.)
For the complete list of convention workshops and details, turn to page 27 of this edition of the Townsman. Please, mark your calendars for Oct. 5-6, when we’ll all get together at the Augusta Civic Center to honor municipal service.
Courtesy of the Maine Townsman
August - September 2011
by Eric Conrad, Editor
