February 1, 2023

A MESSAGE FROM ILG'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Friends of ILG,

In just one month, many of us have already experienced a wide range of ups and downs.

On a positive note, COVID recovery continues and our communities are returning to a semblance of normal. Local governments are still eligible for unprecedented amounts of funding from federal and state government sources to advance projects and programs related to climate, infrastructure and workforce development.

But many of our communities are still reeling from the aftermath of the tragic murder of Tyre Nichols in Memphis and the two mass shootings in California that left 18 dead. Our hearts go out to the friends, families and communities suffering loss and trauma from those events.

As local government leaders, in addition to protecting our residents, we must also make sure that our communities are safe, equitable and resilient. That is no easy feat. The role of a public servant -- whether staff, elected or appointed -- is getting more difficult and more complex.

Perhaps relatedly, so much of our media, and especially social media, is increasingly characterized by bitterness and polarization, which pollutes our public discourse and makes it even more difficult to recruit and retain electeds and staff alike. Some communities have lost the ability to coalesce to have crucial and civil conversations. To many residents, our social fabric still feels tattered, especially in the wake of a multi-year pandemic when most of our basic human interaction was reduced to a screen.

At times like this, you may feel motivated to give in to despair. (So many years of back-to-back crisis response will test even the most dedicated leaders.) But at ILG, we recognize that as a nation, state, and people we are resilient and resourceful. We glean hope and pride from seeing the hundreds of newly-elected local leaders take their oath and the next generation of local government staff joining the ranks of the public sector to make a difference in their communities. We gain a renewed sense of joy and purpose when we see community, government and industry work together in partnership to solve our shared problems. At ILG, we are committed to expanding those collaborations even more in the coming year.

With inflation increasing and a recession on the horizon, we know that the road ahead may be rocky. But we must stay resolute and solution-oriented. We hope the education, training and technical assistance we bring you in 2023 will give you new ideas, new connections, and fresh resources to continue the important work and do it even better. We are proud of the work you do and the sacrifices you make.

We’re excited for the opportunities ahead and no matter how hard the road, ILG is in this walk with you.

Yours in partnership,

Erica L. Manuel

CEO & Executive Director

MEET TEAM ILG

ILG gained four new team members in 2022. These new staff members complement the veteran team with a breadth of experience to support a wide range of local government needs. #TeamILG is looking forward to connecting with you all this year as we crisscross the state for events, trainings, and conferences. In January, the team facilitated ethics trainings at the New Mayors and Councilmembers Academy in Northern California, with more sessions to follow at the Southern California academy. Our Leadership & Governance team will also be hitting the road to facilitate customized governance trainings for local governments looking to set their strategic priorities for 2023. There is much more to come and we look forward to meeting and working with you all this year.

ILG Pillars:

• Leadership & Governance (LG)
• Public Engagement & Equity (PE)
• Sustainable & Resilient Communities (SRC)
• Workforce Development & Civics Education (WCE)

Erica L. Manuel

CEO & Executive Director

(All Pillar Areas)



Karalee Browne

Assistant Executive Director

(SRC, PE)

Melissa Kuehne

Senior Program Manager

(LG, PE)

Roberto Carlos Torres

Senior Program Manager

(PE, SRC)

Taylor Buck

Program Manager

(LG, WCE)

Nikita Sinha

Program Manager

(SRC)

Hanna Stelmakhovych

Program Manager

(PE, SRC)

Seth Yund

Program Manager

(WCE, SRC)

Kristy Bivens

Office Manager

(General Inquiries)

WHAT'S COMING UP AT ILG

Regional Planning Commissioner Trainings

Only four sessions left:

• San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, February 17, 2023
• Shasta, Trinity, Siskiyou, Lassen, Plumas and Modoc Counties, February 24, 2023
• Kern, Tulare, Kings and Fresno Counties, March 3, 2023
• Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Yuba and Sutter Counties, March 10, 2023

These trainings are offered in person, free of charge, exclusively for city and county planning commissioners; designed to benefit both new and seasoned professionals. In each training session, we reserve time to network and discuss local planning challenges and opportunities that are specific for each region. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with experts in the field and learn from fellow planning commissioners about best practices, emerging trends and lessons learned. Learn more and sign up for a training.

This training series is hosted by ILG in partnership with HCD and Placeworks.

ILG IN THE COMMUNITY

ILG’s CEO Helps State & Local Governments Catalyze Climate Action through Collaboration and Engagement

ILG CEO & Executive Director Erica L. Manuel served on the steering committee for the inaugural Catalyst Conference hosted by the California Strategic Growth Council. On Wednesday, February 1, over 300 government, community, Tribal, finance, industry and advocacy leaders came together to discuss existing solutions and identify actions to catalyze readiness and maximize near and long-term benefits of climate investments in frontline communities. At the event, Erica facilitated important conversations about building a framework for equitable investment. As a follow up to the conference, ILG will be hosting a series of virtual and in-person listening sessions with local government leaders to identify specific opportunities for partnership and collaboration between community leaders and their regional or local governments.

“ILG is committed to a “Yes, and…” approach to advance climate equity,” said Erica. “Community-led and informed solutions will require creativity, understanding and alignment. The ILG listening sessions will identify common barriers and elevate promising new strategies that can be scaled statewide.”

In the photo, Erica is joined by Jaime Lemus, Transportation & Climate Change Division Manager, Sacramento Air Quality Management District.

Innovative Pathways to Public Service Relaunches

The Innovative Pathways to Public Service (IPPS) collaborative officially relaunched in January after a COVID hiatus, with the goal of reconnecting government, workforce, and community partners to improve workforce development in the greater Sacramento region. IPPS remains focused on improving career pathways and professional development for public sector professionals. ILG facilitated the first general membership meeting with over 25 organizations in attendance. Later the same week, IPPS members met in person for an informal happy hour to connect with other members of the collaborative. ILG looks forward to continuing to provide administrative support for IPPS; helping grow the network and expand our collective impact. Learn more and join IPPS today! 

CEO & Executive Director Erica Manuel attends PPIC Legislative Leaders Convening

ILG CEO & Executive Director Erica L. Manuel attended the Public Policy Institute of California’s sold out “Conversation with California’s Legislative Leadership” event in January. The panel featured Toni G. Atkins, President pro Tempore of the California State Senate, and Brian Jones, California State Senate Minority Leader in an in-depth conversation about their legislative priorities and why these issues are important to California’s future.

Erica serves on PPIC's statewide leadership council where she brings the local government perspective to PPIC’s research and policy discussions. In the photo, she is joined by PPIC’s new President and CEO Tani Cantil-Sakauye and Cindy Tuck, Association of California Water Agencies Deputy Executive Director for Government Relations.

ILG Brings Ethics Trainings to New Mayors & Councilmembers 

ILG hosted two ethics session panels with our partner Renne Public Law Group at last month’s League of California Cities Northern California New Mayors and Council Members Academy (NMCMA). The two sessions fulfilled newly elected official’s training requirements for AB 1234 (ethics training) and AB 1661 (sexual harassment prevention).

Team ILG will also be at this week’s NMCMA Southern California conference facilitating trainings in partnership with Best Best & Krieger and Liebert Cassidy Whitmore. Find the full conference schedule here. 

Attendees can receive MCLE credit for “AB 1234 Training: Understanding Public Service Ethics Laws and Principles,” and “AB 1661 Training: Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for City Officials.” ILG is a State Bar of California minimum continuing legal education (MCLE) approved provider and the organization certifies both these trainings meet the standards for MCLE credit by the State Bar of California in the total amount of 2 hours (general credits). Provider #13881.

ILG Kicks off the New Year Facilitating Leadership & Governance Trainings 

ILG's Leadership and Governance Pillar has started off 2023 strong by planning and facilitating strategic goal setting, team building, and other governance trainings for local governments across the state. We are grateful to our cities, counties, and special districts for partnering with us to help facilitate these critical planning conversations which shape the future of so many communities.

Interested in learning more about our training offerings? Learn more here.

WHAT WE'RE READING

Western City: Addressing Workforce Challenges with Leadership

How do local governments address workforce challenges like recruitment, retention, and maintaining positive morale? ILG Program Manager Taylor Buck sat down with the City of Petaluma to learn about their strategies for leading amidst workforce challenges, and how their city has thrived as a result. Read more.

ICMA: Discovering Workplace Rituals to Foster Connection

Workplace rituals can help employees stay engaged and feel connected to a common purpose. ILG partner International City/County Management Association offers insights about how personal and workplace rituals can help local governments find some certainty with an ever-changing workforce and political landscape.

Read more. 

Tripepi Smith: Anticipating 2023 Social Media Marketing Trends

ILG partner Tripepi Smith (TS) is helping local governments look closely at their 2023 social media strategies. The TS team offers key reflections from 2022 about what worked well and what can be improved for local governments using social media to share information. The team also offers five insights to empower you and your team to dominate with authenticity in your social media marketing.

Read more. 

NEW YEAR, NEW LOCAL GOV'T CHAMPIONS

NOMINATE A LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAMPION THIS YEAR!

The start of the new year is the perfect time to nominate a colleague for a job well done. Nominate a local government champion for the chance to have your nominee included in our 2022 recap. Anyone working in one of California's counties, special districts or cities – from staff to elected or appointed officials – are eligible. Self-nominations are encouraged!

Help us celebrate the important work local leaders are doing in the areas of: 

• Leadership & Governance;
• Public Engagement & Equity;
• Sustainable & Resilient Communities; and 
• Workforce & Civics Education.

Nominees will be featured in social media posts and on our website.

Nominators will be entered to win a free registration to an ILG training of your choice!

Click here to nominate.

AFFILIATE UPDATES

ILG is the nonprofit training and education affiliate of the League of California Cities, the California State Association of Counties and the California Special Districts Association.

Planning Commissioners Academy

March 29-31, 2023

Hyatt Regency Orange County

Designed for new and seasoned planning commissioners alike, this conference provides city officials with information about the roles and responsibilities of a planning commissioner, offers a basic legal and practical framework, and helps foster relationships with fellow planning commissioners. Previous topics included CEQA, how to prepare findings and conditions of approval, the planning commission’s role and responsibilities, diversity and inclusion, leadership, relationships between commission, staff, and city council, key legislative issues, and more. 

ILG will also be presenting at the PC Academy. Be sure to attend our sessions:

• AB 1234 Ethics and AB 1661 Sexual Harassment Prevention Trainings – time and date to be determined
• Session attendees can receive MCLE credit for “AB 1234 Training: Understanding Public Service Ethics Laws and Principles,” and “AB 1661 Training: Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for City Officials.” ILG is a State Bar of California minimum continuing legal education (MCLE) approved provider and the organization certifies both these trainings meet the standards for MCLE credit by the State Bar of California in the total amount of 2 hours (general credits). Provider #13881.

• Planning for the Future: Creative Strategies & Lessons Learned - Roundtable Session, time and date to be determined
• Session Description: Cities across the state are struggling to meet increased housing needs in their communities. Planning Commissioners often help bridge the divide between community members and City Councils who set policy direction which do not always align. To help address this, many commissioners are seeking training, resources and tools to not only do their jobs better, but also help set their cities up for success. Join a panel of experts from local government, state government, and the private sector for a roundtable discussion covering creative policies, community engagement techniques, financing tools and other innovative strategies to help meet community, regional and state priorities. 

Learn more and register today.

2023 Special District Leadership Academy La Quinta

Embassy Suites La Quinta

February 26 - March 1, 2023

Content at the Special District Leadership Academy La Quinta conference is based on CSDA's Special District Leadership Academy (SDLA) groundbreaking, curriculum-based continuing education program, which recognizes the necessity for the board and general manager to work closely toward a common goal. SDLA provides the knowledge base to perform essential governance responsibilities and is designed for both new and experienced special district board members.



Attend for the first time and complete all four modules of the Special District Leadership Academy:

• Governance Foundations
• Setting Directions/Community Leadership
• Board's Role in Human Resources
• Board's Role in Finance and Fiscal Accountability

NOTE: You must complete the first-time attendee track to qualify for an SDLF Certificate in Special District Governance.

Learn more and register here.

THANK YOU, PARTNERS!

Team ILG is so grateful for all of the partners that made 2022 such an excellent year for our organization, and we are thrilled to have new partners joining us in 2023! Many thanks to our new partners for supporting ILG's mission of advancing exceptional local governments:

• Kosmont Companies

• California Joint Powers Insurance Authority

• Social Pinpoint

At ILG, we envision a California where all local government leaders are trusted by the people they serve because of excellent leadership and the endless pursuit towards thriving and resilient communities. We are honored to partner with like-minded organizations to provide California public servants with the support and resources they need to navigate their complex and evolving leadership roles.

The ILG Partner Program provides a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate your company’s commitment to good government at the local level and alignment with the importance of leadership and governance, public engagement, sustainable communities and workforce and civics education. ILG’s Partner Program provides opportunities to connect with and engage local leaders and increase visibility through our website, trainings and other resources. Learn more and partner with us!

PARTNER NEWS

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