Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Developing Successful Orientations and Retreats
Does working with new selectboard/council members overwhelm you? This full day workshop on Thursday, Nov. 15 will focus on the manager’s role in developing and delivering successful orientations for elected officials, and in holding retreats for boards of selectmen, councils, and citizen groups. Participants will work in small teams to develop effective models and check lists of do’s and don’ts for each event.
Dinner on Thursday evening will be at Johnny’s in downtown Amherst. You will have a choice between a few entrees. The cost of the dinner is $45.
A room block has been reserved at Hotel UMASS. Conferees should contact the hotel directly to secure their reservation using group code MMM18C at phone number: 877-822-2110. The room rate is $130 per night.
Thursday, Nov. 15
8:30-9:45 a.m.
Registration, Breakfast
Cape Cod Lounge
9:45–10 a.m.
Welcome and Conference Overview
Adam Chapdelaine, Town Manager, Arlington and MMMA President
10 a.m.–noon
ICMA University Workshop
Developing Successful Orientations and Retreats
This workshop will focus on the manager’s role in developing and delivering successful orientations for newly elected officials, and in holding retreats for boards of selectmen, councils, and citizen groups. Participants will work in small teams to develop effective models and check lists of do’s and don’ts for each event. Trainer Bob Stripling is a retired city manager who presents on this topic in his home state of Virginia. (Practice Group 8 – Policy Facilitation and Implementation)
Noon–1 p.m.
Lunch
1–3 p.m.
ICMA University Workshop Continued
7 p.m.
Dinner at Johnny’s Tavern, downtown
Pre-registration is required
Friday Nov. 16
7:45–9:15 a.m.
Breakfast
Cape Cod Lounge
9:15–10 a.m.
MMA Update
Geoff Beckwith, MMA Executive Director
10–11:30 a.m.
Retreats, Strategic Plans & Goal Setting Sessions
Planning and executing a board or council retreat is unique to each community. The board dynamics, town politics and hundreds of other things come into play when organizing any kind of strategic session. The speakers will share their experiences, lessons learned and best practices for a successful outcome, from a multi-day council retreat to a school district goal setting session.
Jeffrey Nutting, Town Administrator, Franklin
Bernie Lynch, Principal, Community Paradigm Associates
11:30 a.m.
Wrap Up and Lunch (Boxed lunches available)
University of Massachusetts
Murray D. Lincoln Campus Center
Amherst, MA
From the North: Route 91 South to Exit 25. At end of ramp, turn left and follow road to intersection. At intersection, turn right onto Routes 5 and 10 South. Travel one mile then take a left onto Route 116 South. Follow Rte 116 South 8 miles to the UMass Exit. At end of ramp, take left onto Massachusetts Ave.
From the South: Route 91 North to Exit 19 (Northampton/Amherst). At end of ramp, take a right onto Route 9 and follow for approximately 4.5 miles. Take a left onto Route 116 North and travel 1 mile to UMass Exit. At end of ramp, take right onto Massachusetts Ave.
From the East: Mass Pike (Rt. 90) West to Exit 4 (West Springfield) to Route 91 North. Follow directions from the South.
From the West: Mass Pike (Rt. 90) East to Exit 4 (West Springfield) to Route 91 North. Follow directions from the South.
After exiting from Rte 116, travel to second set of lights and turn left on to Commonwealth Avenue. At the next set of lights turn right onto Campus Center Way. Entrance to the parking garage is at the top of the hill on the right. The entrance is on the second level, marked Campus Center. Follow that hallway to the concourse and follow signs for the Student Union, we are meeting in the Cape Cod Lounge.
Overnight guests who are checking into the hotel will take the elevators to the 3rd Floor where the hotel registration desk is located.
If you’re staying overnight at the hotel, you will receive a parking pass when you check in. If not, you will receive one from MMA staff when you register for the conference.
Our conference is in the Student Union, Cape Cod Lounge, 3rd floor.
All meals and the meeting will be held in this room.
Location
UMass Amherst
Contact
MMA Senior Member Services Coordinator Denise Baker