Becky Dickson

VLGMA August eNewsSupporting local government managersbuilding great communities throughinclusion, innovation and leadership

In This IssueBeachside with Becky

Position Changes

Certificate News

Civic Engagement Committee Shares Best Practices: City of Harrisonburg

Innovation Edge

Mel's Poetry Corner

Calendar of Upcoming Events

Tedd's Take

A DAO in the Life

DAO Meeting October 16, 2015

Beachside with BeckyDon't ever take a fence down until you know why it was put

up....  Robert Frost 

Another favorite quote...oh my... have I stepped in it a time ortwo!   This is especially true when you are new to a locality..... I have to admit I have taken down a fence or two only to try toquickly put it back up!   Admittedly, I have upon occasion beentoo quick to want to resolve an issue, assuming I understood theissue (the real issue), or change a process and was just "toobusy" to take the time to learn the history of the "fence"-‐ howand why it got there.       

There are absolutely times when we are compelled to take immediate action-‐ butthere are other times we can take a bit more time and feel a situation out.   Whenwe can evaluate the "fence" from all sides. I learned this lesson the hard way. Its easy to fall into the trap of quicklyevaluating a situation and then acting on it without context or history. We size itup from our perspective and make a decision-‐we take down the "fence".   Andwhen it comes down and no one was prepared for it or wanted it down (like it wasa situation with a 20 year history you didn't take the time to understand) you knowit!  The proverbial fence can be among members of your community, yourorganization or even your Board or Council.  

Tedd Povar

As we all know, context, background, understanding the perspectives of all is

critical for success. 

 

So before you take "it" down...      do your homework.. its much easier than

rebuilding the "fence".  

 

Welcome to our new members -‐ Matthew Lawless, Boones Mill Town Manager;

Paula Nofsinger, Frederick Human Resources Director; Erik Johnston, VACo 

Director of Government Affairs; Beau Blevins, VACo Director of Intergovernmental

Affairs and Amity Moler, Page County Administrator

 

 Becky, signing off from beachside...Contact Becky Dickson 

Position Changes

July, 2015

 

Terri Morris,

Floyd County assistant

administrator and current interim

administrator, has been appointed

administrator there.

Jim Spore, Virginia Beach city

manager, announced his

retirement, effective January 1,

2016.

Lydia Pettis-‐Patton, associate

director for the Illinois Institute of

Technology, and a former

employee of the city of Portsmouth

beginning in 1986, has been

appointed Portsmouth city

manager effective September 1st.

Timothy Wilson, South Boston town

manager since June, 2014,

resigned.

Certificate News

   The summer is

quickly coming to an

end. While the

summer classes are

winding down, the

Tedd's Take

 A Lot to be Proud Of

 

     We know we do local

government pretty well in

Virginia. It appears that

others recognize this as

well.  In the last 30 days,

a couple of items have

come across my desk that

demand additional publicity, so here

goes!

     First, the National Association of

Counties and the Center for Digital

Government announced the 2015 Digital

Counties Survey winners. The annual

survey recognizes leading examples of

counties using technology to improve

services and boost efficiencies. Virginia

is extremely well represented, as follows

(by population categories):

 

500,000+ -‐ Fairfax County -‐ 1st place

250,000 -‐ 499,999 -‐ Chesterfield County -‐

1st place and Loudoun County -‐ 4th

place

150,000 -‐ 249,999 -‐ Arlington County -‐

2nd place

Up to 150,000 -‐ 

Montgomery County -‐ 3rd place

Roanoke County -‐ 4th place

Gloucester County -‐ 6th place

Albemarle County -‐ 7th place

David Moorman

Certificate program is in full swing to getready for the fall. Classes will begin onAugust 27th with full enrollment. Beforethen, though, there is just enough timeto squeeze in one last vacation or cometo the second annual CertificateProfessional Development Conference onAugust 3-‐4 at the Hotel Roanoke. Eitherway, the last month of summer willsurely be fun.    In addition to the transition of theseasons, the Certificate is also goingthrough a professorial transition. GregKelly, Town Manager of Abingdon, willbe taking over Bob Stripling's LocalGovernment and the ProfessionalManager class this fall. Greg is a proudmember of the first graduating class ofthe Certificate program and has an MPAfrom Virginia Tech and a JD from GeorgeWashington University. Furthermore,Greg is currently the President-‐Elect ofVLGMA and is an ICMA CredentialedManager. As a longtime friend andsupporter of the Certificate program,Greg is happy to take this next step. Wewish him the best during his first class onthe other side of the lectern and knowthat he will do much to inspire the nextgeneration of local government leaders.    If you are looking to become a part ofthe Certificate program, either as astudent or as a professor, then StephanieDavis will be looking for you. On siterecruitment at local governments is agreat way to introduce the Certificate toemployees, so feel free to contact her ifyou would like a session conducted withyour staff. Stephanie will be in FallsChurch on August 13th for aninformation session and is alwaysavailable at sddavis@vt.edu or 804-‐980-‐5549. Find the Certificate online: 

Franklin County -‐ 10th place   (That's out of 10 per category!)    Last, but certainly not least, as notedin the 7/15/15 issue of VACo "CountyConnections", Jonathan D. Sweet, countyadministrator for Grayson County, wasrecognized as the national 2015 CountyLeader of the Year by American City &County Magazine.  See the full articlehere.

Congratulations one and all! Contact Tedd Povar

A DAO in the Life    A colleague used tooften say, "Everythingcommunicates."  Shestressed it with herstaff to reinforce theimportance of attentionto detail.  And she wasabsolutely correct. Everything DOEScommunicate.  Too

often, I find myself failing to be mindfuland careful about this.    While it is true of us, individually -‐how we talk and act, our manner, howwe keep our work space, who and whatwe invest our time and energy in -‐-‐ it isalso true of the communities andorganizations we serve.    The physical character of ourcommunities demonstrates the value weplace on our communities -‐ whether wecherish and protect and preserve themor neglect or abuse them; whether wecarefully and intelligently anticipate,project, plan and sustainably execute orplod blithely and blindly ahead reactingas we are forced and blamingmisfortunes, failures and mistakes oneverything and everyone but ourselves,the victims.  The value we place on ourcommunity communicates a messageabout the value we will place on theinvestments of others in our community:

Ande Banks

Civic Engagement Committee SharesBest Practices: City of Harrisonburg

   In an effort toenhance students'knowledge of localgovernment and bornout of a long-‐timesuccessful program inFrederick County, theCity of Harrisonburg

developed a Service Learning Programwith Harrisonburg High School (HHS).      With a condensed schedule, HHShonors students completed theiracademic and SOL related work in fourof the five units leaving the final gradingperiod for a field experience with citystaff.  The initial project possibilitieswere created and vetted by departmentdirectors and school staff.  The projectscopes were then pitched to thestudents by a department representativeand the student teams picked whichproject they would complete.    The final projects includedconsideration of the location for a newfire station, residential guide, updateand report on sustainability efforts, adowntown business survey and a publiceducation piece on the city's publictransportation network.  These projectswere completed in collaboration withcity staff and culminated inpresentations to city council on May 26of this year.  The video of thosepresentations can be seen on the city'swebsite here.    Everyone involved counted the pilotprogram as a complete success and arein the planning phases for year two ofthe Service Learning Program.  If youhave questions or would like moreinformation please contact me at:ande.banks@harrisonburgva.gov.  BothJay Tibbs, Deputy County Administratorfor Frederick County, and Tara

whether their investment will be safe,enhanced or at risk.    The financial character of ourenterprises demonstrates ourstewardship and political and managerialdiscipline.  It reveals the seriousnesswith which we take our responsibilityand/or our ability to provide for thegeneral health, safety and welfare ofthose who rely upon us.  What does mycounty's historic and current financialcondition say about our government'sability to assume and fulfill itsobligations and commitments?   Does itpromote confidence or invite doubt andsuspicion?    Everything communicates.  Regardlesshow humbling or even embarrassing itmay be to pause and seriously evaluatewhat is being communicated through thepeople, processes and decisions we cancontrol or influence (includingourselves), it is part of what we need todo and to teach others to do.  "Whatdoes this communicate?" should be oneof the litmus tests we apply to everydecision we make.    While none of us can completelycontrol the world around us, as localgovernment managers, we have morecontrol and influence than most.  Howmuch attention do we pay to details?  If,by nature, you, like me, are more of a"big picture" person, paying attention todetails may require extra effort (andnoticing details is NOT the same asmicro-‐managing!)  Because everythingcommunicates, if we want to ensurewhat we want is being communicated,we have no choice but to become veryactive observers.  And we have to bewilling to attend to the details that donot communicate what we want.    So, I am on a mission to change thedetails of my desk top because it'sscreaming, "I'm a crazy mess!"Contact David Moorman

Woolever, Social Sciences Coordinatorfor Frederick County Schools, wereinstrumental in assisting city staff increating the new program.  It is alsoworth noting that much of the work ofimplementation of the program fell toHarrisonburg Social Studies Coordinator,Kirk Moyers, and HHS Governmentteacher, Jay Hook.

Innovation Edge    At the NCCCMAsummer conference apresentation wasmade by Leisha De-‐Hart Davis who is with

the UNC School of Government at ChapelHill. Her presentation was on the recentwork funded by the Local GovernmentResearch Collaborative whose researchfocuses on significant issues facing localgovernments.  In my experience, localgovernment grievance policies are notoften discussed, especially in this typeforum, but with Leisha's presentationmany questions were raised andattendees gave pause to reflect on theirpolicies, many of which they admittedwere out of date. Should your policy beupdated? How can you minimizegrievances? How can you better trackthe path of grievances? This is asignificant body of work, and Iencourage you to find out moreinformation on the Alliance website.    The Alliance for Innovation is anetwork of local governments drivinginnovation throughout theirorganizations.  You can learn more aboutthe Alliance at www.transformgov.org orcontact me at saburnett@transformgov.org. Contact Sallie Ann Burnett

Mel's Poetry CornerSincerity

DAO Meeting October 16th

    In an effort to reach out to fellowmunicipal government workers in thefurther reaches of our commonwealth,the Historic Town of Abingdon will hostthe Fall DAO meeting on October 16from 10:00am through 3:00pm.  As thismay be a long trek for many overnightaccommodations have been arranged. Town Manager, Greg Kelly, hasnegotiated a spectacular rate at TheMartha Washington Inn and Spa.  Aninitial block of 25 rooms in the hotel areoffered at the rate of $159.00 per nightand the rate is available October15th through October 17th.  Be sure tobook your room fast, as the rate willonly be available for booking throughAugust 21, due to this being the peaktourism season for the Town ofAbingdon.   To further entice interest inthe meeting, the first 25 people toregister for the conference and book aroom will receive your choice of onecomplimentary ticket to a play at theBarter Theatre or one bikerental/shuttle pass on the VirginiaCreeper Trail.  To make roomreservations go to: www.themartha/VLGMA-‐DAO and followthe instructions on the link.  Additionaltickets for both attractions will beavailable for purchase on site or online. Greg has advised that if the 25 blockedrooms fill up by August 21, the Hotel willopen up another block at the same rate. We will also have two sponsoredreceptions at this conference.  The firstone is on Thursday evening at the Hotelcourtyard at 5:00pm.  The second one ison Friday at 5:00pm at Heartwood

Mel Gillies

The world is but our stage

for the comedies anddramas in which 

we engage.Am I following a script

composed by me?Is this role aligned with

my true identity?

It takes many rehearsals before we can even start

to hear the inner promptings of our heart.

Self-‐knowledge and the courage to be free

are the necessary queues for authenticity

and if ignored on our odysseybeware the makings of a tragedy.

We only fool ourselves when we believethat others are unaware of our sincerity.

Sincerity reminds us in all we doto our own self we must first be true.

May this little poem be forever morewith heartfelt love, sincerely yours.

Contact Mel Gillies

CalendarUpcoming Events

PDC Meeting -‐ August 21, 2015 inCharlottesville

 Deputies, Assistants and Others (DAO)Meeting -‐ October 16, 2015 in Abingdon More Dates 

Future Newsletter ArticlesA goal of this e-‐newsletter is to keep youinformed on activities relative to ourprofession.  As with any membership-‐based organization, contributions bymembers are welcome and encouraged. 

Artisan Center.  Trolley Service will beprovided from the Hotel to the ArtisanCenter.  The cost for this exciting eventis only $20.00, which covers theregistration.  There is no extra cost forthe receptions.  For further information,please go to www.vlgma.org  Pleasenote that any local governmentemployees are welcome to attend.  Theagenda for the meeting will beforthcoming in the near future.  We lookforward to seeing a large turnout and awonderful meeting in Abingdon.  Pleasemark your calendars and register onlineto attend.

Calling All DAO'sCalling All DAO's...

     Ever wonder howarticles are selected

for the column "A Day In the Life of aDAO"?    Here's how... if you have a subjectthat you would like to discuss, or athought you would like to share... thenplease volunteer your services!  Wewelcome all submissions.  As we arelargely a volunteer organization, pleasehelp us help you stay connected andpromote one another, by becomingactively engaged in this organization andsupporting our efforts.    If you would like more information onthe process, please contact either SherriNeil, Communications & NetworkingChair (neils@portsmouthva.gov), or MollyWard, SEI Coordinator/LeadershipDevelopment (mjh3@virginia.edu).

Quick LinksVLGMA WebsiteICMA Website

Alliance for InnovationVirginia Municipal LeagueVA Association of Counties

Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service

Topics can range

from a recent

achievement in

your locality to

an upcoming

event with

networking

potential to human interest stories about

current or retired members.  To

contribute simply send your brief e-‐

newsletter content (~5 sentences or

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