2024 MME Winter Institute

This session, led by Mark Washington, MME DEI Chair and City Manager of Grand Rapids, is designed for MME executives, city managers, and policy-making staff. It will provide an insightful exploration of successful municipal DEI case studies and foster interactive discussions. Notably, the business case for DEI initiatives will be supported by a DEI expert, who will share valuable industry insights on why DEI is important. The workshop also includes a segment addressing the challenges and considerations in tailoring DEI strategies to meet the specific needs of each community, ensuring a well-rounded and practical approach to implementing inclusive and equitable practices in Michigan's local governance.

Speakers

• Mark Washington, City Manager, City of Grand Rapids
• Holly Young, DEI Manager, Wolverine Worldwide
• Keith Van Beek, City Manager, City of Holland

• Sustainability: Embracing the Triple Bottom Line of People, Planet, and Prosperity
  Sustainability has three core fundamentals: people (social), planet (environmental), and prosperity (economic). Embracing all three is an opportunity to ensure long-term benefits through strategic planning and leadership. This panel discussion from multiple perspectives will go over where to start, how to create a plan, and resources available to help.
  Speakers
  • Michelle Peters, Program Manager, Energy Sciences
  • Danielle Beard, Program Coordinator, Michigan Municipal League
  • Melissa Marsh, City Manager, City of Madison Heights
• Health Insurance Program Strategies
  Learn about the latest trends and insights impacting municipal health care programs.  Understand key cost drivers, effective strategies, and cost containment approaches to maintain or even enhance your medical benefits.  Hear what other colleagues around the state are doing to manage health care costs.
  Speakers
  • Mike Hagerty, Area Senior Vice President, Gallagher
  • Keith Baker, City Manager, City of Coldwater
  • Lisa Freiburger, Vice President for Finance and Administration, Grand Rapids Community College
• What is Financial Wellness? Why is Financial Wellness Important?
  Financial Wellness programs should help employees improve their financial health by addressing their personal financial stress points through an action plan that is tailored to each employee. This is done through digital engagement, onsite financial education, and financial planning for all need levels.
  Speaker
  • Jessica Fitzgerald, Senior Vice President, Graystone Consulting at Morgan Stanley

Are you tired of hearing about self-care (even though you know it’s important)? Have you realized the vital truth behind the analogy of putting on your own oxygen mask first (even though you don’t necessarily know how)? Do you sometimes (or let’s be honest, most of the time) feel like you have to do it all, as if you are the proverbial lone wolf? Have you ever felt like your life at work (or even home!) is a real life game of Whack a Mole? Are you thinking that a six-month vacation followed by 26 weeks of PTO is a perfect scenario for you? (Can we join you?) Do you often wish you had superpowers? (spoiler alert - you do!) If you’ve ever thought any of these over the course of your career, this session is for you! Come play with us and build a life where self-care is much more than just vacations, massages, and chocolate.

Speakers

• Bridgette Gransden, County Administrator/Controller, County of Midland
• Kathy Snyder, Director, Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition

• Building Trust and Helping Employees "Stay"
  Immediately following COVID, the City of Mason started conducting "Stay Interviews" with every employee to get feedback with a goal of retention. This session will go over the results, the value of those discussions, the second stage of interviews, and how to implement something like this in your organization. It will also tell the bigger story of how local governments can define and live by their values to build trust with their employees. The City of Mason is focused on a purpose of "Committed to serving our neighbors" with the essential values of One City, Solution Mindset, and Whole Person. This wholistic approach has resulted in countless policy changes and benefits, including the implementation of Stay Interviews. Most importantly, it has served our community more effectively.
  Speaker
  • Deborah Stuart, City Manager, City of Mason
• Negotiating Your Employment Agreement
  As chief administrative officer, one of the most important documents you have the opportunity to help craft is your employment agreement. Having a thorough understanding of the negotiation process helps position you and your future organization for success. This session will focus on the ins and outs of negotiating an employment agreement, focusing on the process and the importance of conducting research, having clear expectations, and knowing your top priorities.
  Speakers

• • Julius Suchy, Township Manager, Ada Township
  • Tutt Gorman, City Manager, City of Portland
  • Kathie Grinzinger, Retired City Manager, Former Michigan Municipal League Lead Executive Recruiter, Executive Team Building Consultant
• Special Event Planning
  Special events, whether your municipality or an outside organization sponsors them, may create liabilities and hazards that the municipality must control. Learn what to look for and ask to keep your next special event safe.
  Speaker
  • Debra Williams, Operations and Special Events Manager, City of Ann Arbor

• Sponsored by Manquen Vance

Early Career Outreach Dinner (Pre-registration required)

• Sponsored by MFCI Financial

• John LaMacchia II, Director, State & Federal Affairs, Michigan Municipal League
• Herasanna Richards, Legislative Associate, State & Federal Affairs, Michigan Municipal League

Join Portage City Manager Pat McGinnis and Saugatuck City Manager Ryan Heise as they share the work done by your Advocacy Committee in 2023. Jason Grant, ICMA Director of Advocacy will join Pat and Ryan to advance resources for you to promote the Council/Manager form of government in your Township, County, Village or City. Pick up (and share) best practices to effectively communicate to municipal staff, schools, service clubs, chambers, churches, citizens (anyone who will listen), and, most importantly, the elected officials on your board, commission or council. We are on a mission to deliver a message, and Michigan’s Municipal Executives and the International City/County Management Association are our best messengers!

Speakers

• Pat McGinnis, City Manager, City of Portage
• Ryan Heise, City Manager, City of Saugatuck
• Jason Grant, Director of Advocacy, ICMA

The long and storied history of the MME will be celebrated with a brief overview of our 97 year history as an association where local government managers have improved their knowledge and networked while delivering great management service to their communities.  The new electronic format will be presented and a panel discussion will be held with three generations of managers who will discuss their MME interactions over various stages of their careers.

Speakers

• Al Vanderberg, Administrator/Controller, Kent County
• Mark Wollenweber, MME Senior Advisor
• Jessica Harris, Management Analyst, Kent County
• Deborah Stuart, City Manager, City of Mason
• Curtis Holt, Retired City Manager, City of Wyoming