Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
The ninth annual boot camp for new managers will include an overview of the basics of municipal management, presented by a diverse panel of managers, as well as sessions on financial forecasting and employee discipline and managing workplace relationships.
Town managers, administrators and assistants who have been in their positions for fewer than five years are encouraged to attend. Also welcome are senior-level employees and department heads who are planning to enter the management profession in the near future.
The day is a learning opportunity as well as a networking event.
The event is free, but pre-registration is required. To register, contact MMA Senior Member Services Coordinator Denise Baker at the MMA.
Agenda
8-8:30 a.m.
Coffee and Registration
8:30-8:45 a.m.
Welcome, Introductions and Overview
• Rocco Longo, Town Administrator, Marshfield, and MMMA President
• Mark Purple, Town Administrator, Southborough
• Jeff Nutting, Town Administrator, Franklin
• John Petrin, Town Administrator, Burlington
• Kate Fitzpatrick, Town Manager, Needham
• Andrew Flanagan, Town Manager, Andover
• Mary Beth Bernard, Assistant Town Manager, Foxborough
8:45-10:15 a.m.
Managing Relationships
Whether you are a manager or an administrator, your success will be defined by how you manage your relationships with your elected officials, board and committee members, and your residents. How can you balance the needs and wants of such a diverse group of individuals? This session will give you some tips that others have found successful in managing relationships in their communities.
• Lisa Mead, Attorney, Mead, Talerman & Costa, LLC (former Newburyport Mayor and City Councillor)
• John F. Rooney III, Former Selectman, Southborough
10:15-10:30 a.m.
Break
10:30-noon
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:
• What are 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 bring their questions to the workshop so they can cover as many as time allows.
• Kate Fitzpatrick, Town Manager, Needham
• Andrew Flanagan, Town Manager, Andover
• Jeff Nutting, Town Administrator, Franklin
• John Petrin, Town Administrator, Burlington
• Mark Purple, Town Administrator, Southborough
• Mary Beth Bernard, Assistant Town Manager, Foxborough
Noon-12:45 p.m.
Lunch
12:45-2 p.m.
Financial Forecasting
With fluctuating funding sources, and unreliable state budgets, it can be hard to accurately forecast revenues and expenses for your community. However, good financial planning is vital to the health of your community. Speaker Maureen Valente successfully navigated this minefield for many years as a Town Manager, including a stint with the State Treasurer’s Office. Her knowledge and experience can help you to do the same.
• Maureen Valente, Retired Town Manager
2-2:45 p.m.
Effective Discipline
Personnel management takes a tremendous amount of your time and energy as a manager. It takes careful thought, advice of counsel, and planning to ensure that the rights of the Town and the employee are protected. Each situation is unique, but speaker Mary Beth Bernard will offer some tips on when discipline is necessary, and how it should be administered to be effective for the long term.
• Mary Beth Bernard, Assistant Town Manager, Foxborough
2:45-3 p.m.
Final Thoughts, Questions and Wrap up
Location
Sharon Community Center, 219 Massapoag Avenue, Sharon
Contact
MMA Senior Member Services Coordinator Denise Baker
Massachusetts Municipal Management Association