2026 Elected Leaders Institute Materials

Paul Omodt, Omodt & Associates Critical Communications LLC

As a mayor, you play a unique role in shaping your city, how your residents feel about their community, and spearheading effective change. But are you leaving important pieces of yourself out of the equation? This session will discuss how you can fully utilize the power of your personal brand – a brand built through every word, gesture, and moment you create – a brand you have control over! Learn how to craft what is said, what is not said, and what is felt to leave a lasting impression.

Handout:

• Presentation – Own Your Mayoral Moments (pdf)

Paul Omodt, Omodt & Associates Critical Communications LLC

Today’s post-truth and post-trust world poses a unique challenge to those who work and serve in government. Across the country, people are reporting an erosion of trust in established institutions and a lack of confidence in finding accurate sources of information. But within this widening problem are promising strategies to find new ways forward – ways that local level elected officials like you have a role in. In this workshop we will delve into the latest research on strategies you can deploy to build confidence in local government.

Handout:

• Presentation – Communicating Confidence in Local Government (pdf)

Justin Schneider and Michelle Gutt, facilitators, International Association for Public Participation (iap2)

This workshop will guide you through the important process of community engagement, looking at what makes engagement meaningful, and how to apply standards of practice that will enhance the public participation process. Through examples from cities from all sizes across the nation, we will explore your critical role as elected officials in building a positive culture of engagement that improves results, credibility and performance. Led by two skilled iap2 facilitators with national local government experience you will be introduced to the public participation framework, get a chance to explore the role of trust and culture in the engagement process, consider ways power and influence challenge engagement contexts, and evaluate your own city practices in public participation.

Electronic materials are not available for this session.

Panelists: Rich Spiczka, city manager, Bemidji; Jorge Prince, mayor, Bemidji; Susan Arntz, city manager, Mankato; Mike Lavin, Council Member, Mankato. 

Moderator: Luke Fischer, executive director, League of Minnesota Cities

How ready is your city for a natural disaster? Even cities with emergency planning in place can be caught off guard by a crisis. In this panel session, you’ll hear about two unprecedented storms and how each impacted city reacted. In June 2024, Mankato experienced major flooding caused by rain throughout the region. In June 2025, Bemidji dealt with extreme wind damage, disruptions with power and gas lines, and stranded vulnerable people. Hear from leaders in both cities on how the city responded: 

• Advice on how to navigate the emotional reaction of the community
• What you should know about declaring a disaster
• Communicating with the public and the media
• Preparedness ahead of time vs. navigating situation on the ground
• How to keep morale high and celebrate small wins

Handout:

• Presentation – Natural Disaster Readiness Bemidji and Mankato (pdf)

Daniel Jasper, keynote speaker and strategic advisor, Mall of America

Effective government leadership today requires more than managing daily operations—it calls for clarity, empathy, and the ability to lead through complexity. Daniel Jasper draws on real-world experiences from his work with the Mall of America, including crisis response and community engagement, to share practical strategies for stronger public leadership. Participants will learn how to balance strategic vision with authentic connection, communicate clearly under pressure, and lead with confidence and purpose.

Handout:

• Presentation – Leading with Heart and Vision (pdf)