Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
The Massachusetts Municipal Management Association Fall Conference will be held Nov. 21-22 at the Beauport Hotel in Gloucester.
The program will kick off on Thursday, Nov. 21, with a presentation on Equitable Service Delivery from Linda Harris, the Chief of Civic Engagement, Education and Communications in the city of Decatur, Georgia. Members will also share their experiences and best practices related to this topic.
Friday’s session will include a legislative update, a discussion on contracts for managers and assistants, and an introduction to the Inspector General’s Civil Recovery Unit. The CRU is charged with investigating civil cases in which the Commonwealth or one of its political subdivisions has suffered a monetary or financial loss.
The cost of the two-day conference is $215, with an optional dinner for $70.
Thursday, November 21
8:30-9:45 a.m.
Registration, Breakfast
9:45-10 a.m.
Welcome and Conference Overview
Jim Boudreau, Scituate Town Administrator and MMMA President
10 a.m.-noon
Equitable Service Delivery
Linda Harris, Assistant City Manager for Community and Economic Development, Decatur, Georgia
Community conversations on the topic of diversity and inclusion can be challenging. In 2016, the city of Decatur, Georgia, created the Better Together Advisory Board, whose mission is to guide the city on issues of equity, inclusion and engagement. This session will discuss how and why this board was established, its ongoing work, and simple steps you can take to begin a similar process in your community.
Noon-1 p.m.
Lunch
1-1:45 p.m.
Equitable Service Delivery Case Study: Arlington
Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine will give an overview of his experience responding to and recovering from an incident related to writings released by an Arlington Police Lieutenant. This overview will address lessons learned and the current path being followed to heal the community.
1:45-2 p.m.
Healing the Civic Zombie/Love Your City
Kate Fitzpatrick, Town Manager, Needham
Healing the Civic Zombie is an ICMA Athenian Project initiative to help managers connect with residents and help engage with their local governments.
2-3 p.m.
Civic Engagement in Action
Participants will work in teams to share civic engagement stories – what worked and what didn’t. Each participant will develop a civic engagement plan for an upcoming project or event and test the plan with their teams.
3-4 p.m.
Civic Engagement in Action Group Report
Teams will share examples of civic engagement successes and failures, and future plans.
6 p.m.
Reception with light hors d’oeuvres
7 p.m.
Dinner at the hotel in the Pavillion Room
Pre-registration is required
Friday, November 22
7:45-9:15 a.m.
Breakfast
9:15-9:30
Association Business
Ethics Minute and new Legal Assistance Fund guidelines
9:30-10 a.m.
MMA Legislative Update
John Robertson, MMA Legislative Director
10-10:30 a.m.
An Introduction to the Office of the Inspector General, Civil Recovery Unit
William Durkin, Lead Counsel
The CRU’s mission is to pursue civil actions when a local government has been defrauded or otherwise suffered a monetary loss due to wrongful behavior. The CRU collaborates with IG investigators and attorneys who are experts on public procurement and fraud detection, then investigates and develops a recovery plan.
10:30-11:15 a.m.
What’s In Your Contract?
John Clifford, Partner, Clifford & Kenny
11:15 -11:45 a.m.
Labor Law Update: A Year in Review
Lisa Adams, MMA Senior Legislative Analyst
11:45 a.m.
Wrap Up and Lunch (Boxed lunches available)
Location
Beauport Hotel, Gloucester
Contact
MMA Senior Member Services Coordinator Denise Baker
Massachusetts Municipal Management Association