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Randy Wheeler
VLGMA January eNewsSupporting local government managersbuilding great communities throughinclusion, innovation and leadership
In This IssueRandy's Ramblings
Tedd's Take
Innovation Edge
Calendar of Upcoming Events
VLGMA Members in the News
VLGMA Members Meet on VML Day
Article Headline
A DAO in the Life
Certificate News
Mel's Poetry Corner
2014 ICMA Regional SummitsRandy's Ramblings
Randy's Ramblings
Well, 2014 is finally here. The general theme of theNew Year's Eve party I attended was, "I'm glad that 2013 isover. Hopefully, 2014 will be better." Two things stoodout, one was a general recognition that 2013 had morethan its share of problems, but the second and moreencouraging thing was that folks really did seem to have asense of optimism for the New Year. I had the same sort of feelings but really couldn't putmy finger on why. I was still pondering the "why" when I
got back to work and there waiting in my e-‐mail queue was a New Year's cardfrom my friend and long-‐time VLGMA colleague, Brenda Garton. The card beganthis way, "A New Year is a reminder to celebrate all the good in your world." I spent some time thinking about that simple message and how it applies to mylife and the more I thought about it the more optimistic I became. I challengeeach of you to take a moment to reflect on the good things in your world, toconsider how fortunate you are to live where you do, to have the privilege ofserving your community and to be in a position to make a difference in the livesof others. Feeling optimistic yet? I am. May God bless you and your family in theNew Year! I would also like to welcome our newest members Mark Haley, Hopewell CityManager; William Vaughan, Rockingham Assistant County Administrator and Wayne
Dee Wright
Strickland, Roanoke Valley-‐Allegheny Regional Commission Executive Director.Welcome to the family!-‐-‐RandyContact Randy Wheeler Tedd's Take
Do not legislate
by anecdote With the new yearcomes rekindled hope thatthings will get better, andthose who hold much of
our localities', states', and nation'sfuture in their hands will exerciseenlightened leadership to plot a prudentcourse for the future. In that vein, I heard a one-‐linestatement not long ago that resonatedstrongly with me, and I sent myself anemail to use it in an upcoming "take". Itis... "Do not legislate by anecdote." While it is always important to addthe human element to importantdiscussions, and relate a policy orprogrammatic issue to how it will impactindividuals in the short and long runs,we have all experienced "legislation(decision-‐making) by anecdote". It alsoseems there is more and more going onall the time. Decisions are made to take action,enact a new or revised policy, or evenpass a law based on individual/one timeevents and limited or no other input. Events that may impact a very few oractually be of minor consequence areaccelerated to a level of prominence byany number of methods including socialmedia, a noisy talk-‐show host, or notedop-‐ed writer, just to name a few. Legislators, regardless of governmentallevel, feel immediate and intensepressure to "do something" withoutthorough analysis, consideration ofprecedent, or debate. If I had access and opportunity, I'd put
A DAO in the Life
I've been with the Cityof Portsmouth for over 20years, and this is the firsttime that I've written anentry for publication. Myinitial response was topanic, and eventuallyrealization set in and Iwas able to gather mythoughts to explain one ofthe many roles of a DAO. The responsibilities of aDAO are many and vary amongmunicipalities. Though it's a challengingand highly demanding job, theresponsibilities of a DAO are equallyinteresting with no two days being thesame. Our contribution to theorganization is significant, especially asit relates to the communication processbetween city officials and the generalpublic. For example, sometimes ourofficials are quite naturally consumedwith the day-‐to-‐day operation ofrunning the government and they needto hear a different perspective. This iswhere DAO's must be able to focus onsolutions for merging the goals of thecommunity with the goals of theorganization. With this understandingand without political agendas, ourcommunities will continue to grow andprosper as, together, we achieve thecommon goal.Contact Dee WrightCertificate News
Happy New Year!In this time ofreflection and newbeginnings, theCertificate programsits between one semester ending andanother beginning. We celebrate the
a little sign in front of every city/towncouncil member, every countysupervisor, every state and federalrepresentative stating; "do not legislateby anecdote". Just step back, take abreath, and examine the issue in atimely, efficient, and consideredmanner. Let the noise be just that -‐noise, and allow time to determinewhether something is a mature issue inneed of attention. Contact Tedd Povar
Innovation Edge At the TLGConference inDenver, April 23,2014, up to tenAlliance for
Innovation members will be selected toreceive awards in excellence in localgovernment innovation. Among theseawards are the J. Robert Havlick Awardfor Innovation and the Thomas H.Muehlenbeck Award for Excellence inLocal Government. One of the manybenefits of Alliance membership is youreligibility to apply for one of theseprestigious awards. Applications will beaccepted through January 24, 2014. Findout more about applying for anInnovation Award here.As your regional director, I encourageyou to reach out to me [email protected], or 800-‐777-‐2509 with any questions. Visit the Alliance for Innovation formore information.Calendar
Upcoming Events
VLGMA Winter Conference -‐ February 19-‐21, 2014 at the Omni Hotel inCharlottesville -‐ materials availableonline VLGMA Summer Conference -‐ June 18-‐
fact that last semester had a recordenrollment for the program across fivecourses with two new professors. Thisput us on track for another all-‐time highnumber of graduates this year and ouralumni ranks burgeoning toapproximately 130. Next semester, welook forward to welcoming newstudents, a new faculty member, a newcourse location, and a new graduateassistant. This truly is a great time forthe program! Success stories abound in theprogram. One student from last semestergave the program particular praise.Heather Childress in the Lynchburg FireDepartment said that "this program wasso enjoyable that it prompted [her] tofinally apply to graduate school andwork on a Master's degree." Heather hasjust begun her work on an MPA, and shesays, "I know I am just one person, but Ihope the program remains strong andcontinues to get people excited aboutobtaining graduate degrees." We areproud of Heather and all of our alumniand look forward to hearing great thingsfrom them in the future. So, if your New Year's resolution hasanything to do with self-‐improvement,the Certificate program is in the perfectposition to help. While it is too late tostart this spring, it is never too early tostart planning for the summer or fall.Bob Stripling, when he is not skiing theslopes on the holidays, is always readyto talk about the Certificate program. He can be reached at [email protected] or540-‐448-‐1102.Find the Certificate online:
Mel's Poetry CornerJanuary
Two faces gazing
Jonathan Sweet
Mel Gillies
20, 2014 at the Sheraton OceanfrontHotel More Dates VLGMA Members In the News
Folks inSouthwest Virginiaknow JonathanSweet as a countyadministrator; he'sbeen managingGrayson Countyfor almost fiveyears, after sixyears at the helmof Bland County. At 24, he was the youngest countyadministrator in VA. But unless theystumble across the fall issue of theNational Fitness Trade Journal oranother fitness magazine, few realizethe Grayson County native is also amodel. "Yes, that's me," Sweet says. "I'vedone some fitness modeling for Nautilus'new product ads."Read more here.Contact Jonathan SweetVLGMA Members Meet on VML Day
There will be a meeting room withrefreshments provided by the VLGMA
Communications and NetworkingCommittee. The room is the 4 East
Conference Room in the General Assembly Building on VML Day
(Feb. 6th), 2:30-‐3:30 p.m.ICMA Seeking a Southeast Regional Director
ICMA is currently seeking a dynamicand knowledgeable member who is aresident of the Southeast region to bethe Southeast Regional Director. This isa part-‐time position. The Southeastregion includes Alabama, Florida,Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,Mississippi, North Carolina, SouthCarolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and WestVirginia.
upon me,the implications
of January.The past, trailing all of
history behindlingering on my present
time.
Future beckoningloudly ahead,
attend to me instead!I will occupy your mind
in a hypothetical virtual time.
January loves to teachand each moment speaks -‐
my gifts are cold, dark, and pureto be treasured even more.
For if beauty is experienced now,it is possible all year round.
Calendars attempt to map outand out earthly sojourn to count.
Infinity cannot so easily be containedin a twelve month frame.
Contact Mel Gillies2014 ICMA Regional Summit2014 ICMA Regional Summit Dates andLocations:Mark your calendars now for the 2014ICMA Regional Summit in your region.The dates and locations have been set.Information on hotels and registrationfor these professional development,networking, and ICMA informationalevents will become available in thefall.
Southeast: March 6-‐7 (YPLI*March 5-‐6) -‐ Williamsburg,VirginiaMidwest: March 20-‐21 (YPLI*March 19-‐20) -‐ Iowa City, IowaNortheast: April 3-‐4 (YPLI* April 2-‐3) -‐ Princeton, New JerseyMountain Plains: May 1-‐2 (YPLI*April 30-‐May 1) -‐ Grapevine, TexasWest Coast: May 8-‐9 (YPLI* May 7-‐
The ICMA Southeast Regional Directoris responsible for coordinating all ICMAactivities in the Southeast Region;driving outcomes in the region based onassociation priorities; and buildingrelationships with members andstate/affiliate organizations. Positionreports to the ICMA Executive Directorand serves on the Membership andProfessional Development Team.Requires significant local governmentexperience; excellent communication,presentation, & interpersonal skills;knowledge of ICMA programs, mission, &priorities; and willingness to travel. Asmentioned, the successful candidatemust be an ICMA member who resides inthe Southeast region. Position is part-‐time with competitive salary andbenefits.HOW TO APPLY:Send resume & cover letterto [email protected]. Please useSERD in the subject line!
8) -‐ San Jose, California
*Young Professionals LeadershipInstitute. Future Newsletter Articles
A goal of this e-‐newsletter is tokeep youinformed onactivitiesrelative to ourprofession. Aswith any membership-‐basedorganization, contributions by membersare welcome and encouraged. Topicscan range from a recent achievement inyour locality to an upcoming event withnetworking potential to human intereststories about current or retiredmembers. To contribute simply sendyour brief e-‐newsletter content (~5sentences or less) via email to MollyHarlow.
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