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New to office? Start here.
Gain a solid understanding of the fundamentals of city governance and set yourself up for a successful term. This blended learning program includes self-paced online courses and a two-day, in-person training.
Newly Elected Leaders is designed to provide elected officials with the nuts and bolts of city leadership. The program focuses on 11 core competencies that help elected leaders thrive — making it a great fit for anyone stepping into office for the first time.
You will become familiar with your new responsibilities via a combination of online, on-demand courses which you complete at your own pace ahead of the two-day in-person program in Plymouth. During the in-person program, you will dive deeper in to governing a city with our subject matter experts and meet other elected officials.
Everything you need — from courses and downloadable resources, to connecting with subject matter experts or classroom presentations — will live in MemberLearn, the League’s online learning platform.
Who should attend?
Newly Elected Leaders is designed for new elected city officials who have served for less than two years and/or are looking for foundational training in governing a city. If you are a more experienced elected official, Next-Level Leaders may be a better fit.
Dates:
Jan. 20 – Online Learning begins. Read descriptions of online courses.
Feb. 6-7 – Elected Leaders Institute – Newly Elected Leaders | Plymouth
See the full agenda for the in-person program.
Fee
$350. (Mayors Program requires an additional $40 fee.)
Registration
Register for Newly Elected Leaders
Registration closes Jan. 19.
Location & lodging
The in-person program will take place at:
Crowne Plaza – Minneapolis West (Plymouth)
3131 Campus Drive
Plymouth, MN 55441
Room rate: $139
Phone: (763) 559-6600
Reservations can be made via phone or online with this booking link. To receive the special room rate via phone, ask for the “League of Minnesota Cities” group block when making reservations. Book by Jan. 16 to receive this special rate.
Program Agenda
Online Courses:
Online courses should be completed before the in-person program.
Release date: Tuesday, Jan. 20
Welcome and MemberLearn Overview
Review the core competencies for the program and learn about the MemberLearn platform. Seat time: 10 minutes.
City Structure and Roles
Core Competencies: Policymaking; Integrity and Ethics
- Structure and Function of Cities. Review the different types of cities that operate in Minnesota, how your type of city impacts your role on the council, and city government limitations. Seat time: 50 minutes.
- Roles and Responsibilities. Outlines the city council and city staff roles in city governance, including properly fulfilling duties under the law and lawfully exercising authority. Seat time: 20 minutes.
Open Meeting Law
Core Competencies: Integrity and Ethics; Communication; Policymaking; Meeting Facilitation
Gain an appreciation for Open Meeting Law! You will start to understand the requirements set forth in the law and get tips on how to work together as a council in making decisions and setting policy. Seat time: 60 minutes.
Release Date: Tuesday, Jan. 27
Public Finance 101 & 201
Core Competency: Financial Literacy
This combination 101 and 201 course will provide the introduction you need to understand city budgeting.
- Public Finance 101. Learn core concepts of public finance and budgeting basics. Seat time: 30 minutes.
- Public Finance 201. Dive a little deeper to understand fund accounting, operating budgets, revenue and expenditures, and tax levies, ensuring you are equipped to communicate with confidence about your city budget. Seat time: 50 minutes.
Legal Landscape for Elected Officials
- Risk and Legal Obligations. Core Competencies: Integrity and Ethics; Strategic Planning and Decision Making; Managing Risk
Explore city operations through a legal lens. This course will help you understand your role in managing legal risk for your city including conflict of interest, data practices, and purchasing missteps. Seat time: 35 minutes. - Social Media for Elected Officials: Core Competencies: Communication, Community Engagement, Managing Risk
Social media is a great tool for communicating and engaging with your community. This course will help you understand the legal considerations of best practices, benefits, and potential pitfalls of social media use as an elected official. Seat time: 35 minutes.
Friday, Feb. 6:
Mayors Program
Pre-registration required.
8:30 a.m.
Welcome & check-in open (Mayors Program ONLY)
9-10:30 a.m.
Own Your Mayoral Moments: Personal Branding Built By Every Gesture
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.
Newly Elected Leaders Program – Day 1
9:45 a.m.
Welcome & check-in open!
10:30 a.m.
Greeting from Host City
Mayor Jeff Wosje, Plymouth
10:40 a.m.
Welcome from League of Minnesota Cities Leadership
10:45 a.m.
Elected Leadership: An Invitation to Make a Positive Difference
Luke Fischer, executive director, League of Minnesota Cities
Explore the skills required to be an effective leader, including how values and ethics help shape your personal leadership style and set a course for your public service career. Core Competencies: Integrity and Ethics; Strategic Planning and Decision-Making; Servant Leadership Mindset
11:45 a.m.
Networking Lunch
12:45 p.m.
Good Governance and Open Meeting Law
Amber Eisenschenk, managing counsel – research, League of Minnesota Cities
There is a lot to learn as you get started in local government. This session builds on what you learned during the MemberLearn course, walking you through common Open Meeting Law challenges elected officials face. Ask questions, hear from others, and work through scenarios. Core Competencies: Integrity and Ethics; Communication; Policymaking; Meeting Facilitation
2 p.m.
Break
2:15 p.m.
Public Finance in Context
Lisa Sova, assistant finance director – member services, League of Minnesota Cities; John McCarthy, chief financial officer, League of Minnesota Cities
Building on what you learned in Public Finance 101/102, participants will have the chance to put theory into practice through discussion and examining common financial situations. Practice with other participants during breakouts, where you will get a chance to share questions and hear from others. Core Competency: Financial Literacy
3:30 p.m.
Break
3:45 p.m.
Advocacy at the Capitol
League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations Team
In this session you will identify the role you and the League play in lobbying at the Capitol. Understand the League’s policy development process, gain tips for communicating with legislators, discover models and toolkits available to city councils, and become familiar with the way Minnesota cities impact the federal government Washington D.C. Core Competencies: Policymaking, Communication
4:30 p.m.
Social Time
5:30 p.m.
Dinner with remarks from League leadership
6:30 p.m.
Adjourn for the day
Saturday, Feb. 7:
Newly Elected Leaders Program – Day 2
7:45 a.m. – 8:20 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m.
Risk and Legal Obligations for Cities in Context
Patricia Beety, general counsel, League of Minnesota Cities
Revisit common legal scenarios that elected leaders may face, including considerations around social media. Practice with other participants during breakouts, where you will get a chance to share questions and hear from others. Core Competencies: Integrity and Ethics, Strategic Planning and Decision-Making, Managing Risk
9:45 a.m.
Break
10 a.m.
Elected Leaders Panel
Moderator: Dan Greensweig, administrator, League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust
Panel: Wendy Berry, LMC board of directors president and West St. Paul council member; Courtney Johnson, LMC board of directors first vice president and Carver mayor; Evan Vogel, LMC board of directors second vice president and Cambridge city administrator
A perennial favorite! Learn from a panel of experienced elected and appointed officials about the expectations and duties of an elected official. Share your challenges and get tips on how to be successful in your critical city role. Core Competencies: Community Engagement, Equity and Inclusion, Strategic Planning and Decision-Making
11 a.m.
The Power of Purpose
Charles Weinstein, Ethical Leaders in Action
All local government leaders want their communities to thrive – it provides a sense of purpose in our work. But how do you sustain yourself without burning out or burning bridges? How do you consistently engage others in a pursuit of common goals that put your city, staff, and community first? This interactive session will present practical skills and techniques that will help you act with integrity, honesty, and fairness while strengthening relationships and building trust. Core Core Competencies: Integrity and Ethics, Servant Leadership Mindset