By Matt Baumgarten
To educate is to advocate. In this pursuit, the Advocacy Committee is hard at work in searching for existing materials from across state affiliates, public service professional organizations, and even universities to create a library of resources that highlight the effectiveness of professional municipal executives. With the support of President Rebecca Fleury and our MME Board, the committee is hoping to build a lasting contribution to our profession and a resource for all those considering adopting the council-manager form of governance. 
Please reach out and let us know your ideas to these initiatives at MBaumgarten@BerkleyMich.net. What is your “go to” resource when touting the many advantages of professional management? Please send us any links or resources you might have to make a contribution to this important effort.
As always, the Advocacy Committee is also working on telling the complicated story of how MME members are making communities across Michigan better. Speaking of telling the MME story, be sure to “follow” MME’s Twitter page – @MIMunicipalExec. And as you post about your fantastic community, feel free to tag MME so that we can all hear about and enjoy how great your community is doing. Check out our Twitter page.
Matt Baumgarten
Chair, Advocacy Committee
Berkley City Manager
Matt Baumgarten currently serves as the city manager of Berkley, Michigan and as chair of the MME Advocacy Committee. He considers himself a passionate advocate for the value of public service and the advancement of the council-manager form of government. He has spent nearly 20 years in local government since starting his career as a water & sewer laborer with Clinton Township in the early 2000s. He can be reached at mbaumgarten@berkleymich.net.