Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
On July 8, the MMA hosted a webinar on mastering strategic planning and organizational alignment for municipal governments.
Great Barrington Town Manager Liz Hartsgrove began the presentation by emphasizing the wide scope of municipal government, defining it as “the leading organization that represents the values and the direction of a community.” She added that “there is no other organization that is expected to do the magnitude of services that we are expected to do.”
Because of this important role in the community, it’s essential for everyone, ranging from town managers and department heads to interns and volunteers, to recognize their own leadership and responsibility within their roles.
People’s behavior is increasingly shaped by the quick transactions of the private sector, Hartsgrove said. To keep up with those expectations, municipal staff and officials all need to be committed to the same mission.
Hartsgrove said she completed a “culture swab” with the staff in Great Barrington on her first day to help understand the team’s values and priorities. The town reviewed its shared values, ways of working, attitudes, and behaviors. This information was compiled into a document that has become their “guiding light” of their shared commitments and to instill collaboration, trust, and mutual respect.
A follow-up webinar will be held on July 30, for which registration is available online.
Brewster Assistant Town Manager Donna Kalinick moderated 10 minutes of questions and answers, addressing inquiries regarding integrating a strategic plan into the budget development process and the public’s changing expectations of instant gratification.