Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
The Massachusetts Municipal Management Association will hold its 12th annual “boot camp” on Oct. 2 at the Sharon Community Center.
The boot camp is designed to be a practical guide for administrators and assistants who are new to the profession, and for department heads and professional staff who are planning to move into a town manager or administrator role.
During a Management 101 session, a panel of six managers will share their experiences and insights on everything from working with elected officials to ethics. The rest of the program will focus on nuts and bolts skill-building.
The day-long meeting, which will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., will be a great opportunity for networking.
Please note that the boot camp is not a training session for frontline staff.
The event is free, but registration is required.
8-8:30 a.m.
Coffee and Registration
8:30-8:45 a.m.
Welcome, Introductions and Overview
Fred Turkington, Town Administrator, Sharon
Jim Boudreau, Town Manager, Scituate, and MMMA President
Mark Purple, Town Administrator, Southborough
8:45-9:45 a.m.
Communications 2.0
In terms of keeping residents informed these days, nothing is fast enough. Rumors about a project have already started before you have a shovel in the ground. The value of a new hire is determined before they even arrive at Town Hall. Social media can either be an effective communication tool, or a reason why a good project loses support and is left to die on the vine. Find out how to improve your communications, and make it a valuable part of your strategy for success.
Sandy Johnston, Communications Director, Medway
Michael Boynton, Town Administrator, Medway
9:45-10 a.m.
Break
10-11 a.m.
Managing the HR Drama
The HR function of the manager’s job can take up a lot of a new manager’s time. The panelists are both less than 18 months into their first town manager role and will share their experiences on managing people and all the drama that comes with it.
Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator, Franklin
Kristine Trierweiler, Town Administrator, Medfield
Tony Mazzucco, General Manager, Norwood
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Top Ten Budgeting Tips for Managers
Bill Keegan, Town Manager, Foxborough
John Coderre, Town Administrator, Northborough
12-12:45 p.m.
Lunch
12:45-2:45 p.m.
The Basics of Municipal Management
This session will focus on issues that managers/administrators face on a daily basis. It will include the following topics:
• Your ethical responsibilities as a manager
• The different forms of government
• Working with selectmen, other boards, citizens, press and staff
• How to be a leader in your community
• Building effective relationships
• How to show community pride
• Developing a support network
The speakers encourage participants to be prepared with questions, so they can cover as many as time allows.
Adam Chapdelaine, Town Manager, Arlington
Andrew Flanagan, Town Manager, Andover
Kate Fitzpatrick, Town Manager, Needham
Jill Goldsmith, Town Manager, Chatham
Nina Nazarian, Town Administrator, Littleton
John Petrin, Retired Town Manager
Mark Purple, Town Administrator, Southborough
2:45-3 p.m.
Final Thoughts, Questions and Wrap up
Location:
The Community Center building is located at 219 Massapoag Avenue in Sharon, with ample parking.
Location
Sharon Community Center
Contact
MMA Senior Member Services Coordinator Denise Baker
Massachusetts Municipal Management Association