By Justin Breyer
I would like to share some updates on a few ongoing Early Career Outreach Committee developments. If you have any questions about the MME Early Career Outreach Committee or any projects that the Committee is undertaking, please do not hesitate to contact me at Jbreyer@dextermi.gov or at 734-580-2234.
NextGen Becomes Early Career Outreach Committee
At the MME Winter Conference, the NonProfit Spot presented a Strategic Plan for the MME. This Plan recommended a number of changes to the structure of MME committees and the roles that those committees play in the organization. One such change involved the renaming of the NextGen Committee to the Early Career Outreach Committee. While many of the Committee’s tasks remained the same, a number of additional tasks were added for the committee to pursue in the coming years. These include, but are not limited to:
- Investigating ways to increase connections across racial, gender, age, and geographic areas.
- Strengthening mentoring and recruitment efforts with a focus on women and racial diversity.
- Develop additional recruitment tools (web page, publications, videos).
- Develop a communication mechanism to communicate and track information with regional groups.
MME Fellowship
The application period for prospective host communities for the MME Fellowship Program is now open. I would ask that you strongly consider submitting an application to the MME Fellowship Program to be considered as a host community.
Fellows will serve in their host community for a 1-year term starting in July. This program requires a financial contribution from the host community of $6,000. The MME and partnering University will contribute $3,000 each for a total amount of $12,000 to be paid to the Fellow for their year of service.
There are two (2) Fellowship positions available. Each Fellow will work directly with a local government manager and their staff on projects in their community. The focus of the fellowship is to provide students with direct experience in the local government management profession. The Fellow will work for your community for 20-25 hours per week depending on your requirements.
Communities interested in submitting an application should reach out to Justin Breyer at Jbreyer@dextermi.gov or 734-580-2234.
Internship List
The Early Career Outreach Committee will be undertaking its annual update to the MME Internship List. The purpose of this list is to advertise that a community is willing to hear from prospective interns. Advertising on the list does not obligate any community to accept an intern or an applicant. A copy of the current list is available on the MME website at: http://www.mme.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Internship-Contacts.pdf. If you would like to request an update to this list, please forward the following information to Mike Womack at manager@cityofcedarsprings.org: 1) Name of the Community; 2) Whether you offer a paid internship; 3) Contact person in the community, Title, E-Mail, and Phone Number.
Regional Groups
Twelve regional groups around the state hold meetings/luncheons to provide important face-to-face networking opportunities and information on pertinent topics. Contact information for each Regional Group, along with meeting places, dates, and times are provided on the MME website at: http://www.mme.org/board-committees/regional-groups/. While in-person meetings of these groups may be on hold due to the Covid pandemic, MME members (and those interested in the profession) are encouraged to reach out and connect with their closest Regional Group.
Justin Breyer
Chair, Early Career Outreach
Dexter Interim City Manager
Justin Breyer started his local government career in 2011 as an intern in the Troy City Manager’s Office. He has now served the City of Dexter for over six years, first as the Assistant to the City Manager, now as the Interim City Manager and City Clerk. He has continuing education certifications as an Elections Administrator, Professional Municipal Clerk (MiPMC), and Certified Assessing Officer (MCAO). He has also served on the MME’s Early Career Outreach Committee (formerly NextGen Committee) for four years, with two of those years as the Committee Chair. You may reach him at Jbreyer@dextermi.gov.