Newly Elected Leaders: Feb. 5-6, 2027 — Brooklyn Park

New to office? Start here. 

Designed for newly elected officials with fewer than two years in office. 

Build a strong foundation in city governance and start your term with the knowledge and connections you need to serve your community. This blended learning program combines self-paced online courses with two days of in-person learning, giving you the opportunity to put your new skills into practice and connect with League staff and fellow city officials.

The Newly Elected Leaders program provides 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.

Who should attend?

The Newly Elected Leaders program is designed for elected city officials who have served for less than two years and are looking for foundational knowledge in governing a city. 

If you are a more experienced elected official, or if you have already attended the Newly Elected Leaders program — Next-Level Leaders may be a better fit.

Dates: 

Jan. 19 – Online learning begins. Read descriptions of online courses.

Feb. 5-6 – Elected Leaders Institute – Newly Elected Leaders | Brooklyn Park, MN
See the full agenda for the in-person program. 

Fee

$350. Lodging not included. 

Are you a Mayor? Add the Mayors Program for $40 when you register. 

Register

Register Newly Elected Leaders – Brooklyn Park

Registration closes Jan. 18.

Location 

The in-person program will take place at: 

Minneapolis Marriott Northwest Hotel & Conference Center
7025 Northland Dr N
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428

Lodging 

Lodging is available at this same location. 

Room rate: $124

Phone: (763) 536-8300

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. 15 to receive this special rate.  

Program agenda

Online courses: 

Watch for an email on Jan. 19 with details about logging in and beginning your MemberLearn courses. After that, courses will be released in batches. Learners should complete these courses ahead of attending the in-person portion of the program.

Note: these courses do not expire and will be accessible to participants indefinitely. Learn more about the League’s MemberLearn platform. 

First release date: Tuesday, Jan. 19

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 (3 parts) 

Part 1: Structure and Function of Cities

Core Competency: Policymaking

Review the different types of cities that operate in Minnesota, how your type of city impacts your role on the council, and the limitations of what cities can or cannot do. Seat time: 50 minutes. 

Part 2: Roles and Responsibilities for Elected Officials

Core Competency: Integrity and Ethics

A short course outlining the roles of city councils and city staff in city governance, including how to fulfill their legal duties and lawfully exercise their authority. Seat time: 20 minutes. 

Part 3: Setting Organizational Culture 

Core Competencies: Integrity and Ethics; Personnel Management 

A quick refresher that will help you understand your role in setting the tone and culture for your organization. This includes being aware of legal obligations and promoting a respectful workplace. Seat time: 5 minutes. 

Open Meeting Law

Core Competencies: Integrity and Ethics; Communication; Policymaking; Meeting Facilitation

Start to build your understanding of Minnesota’s Open Meeting Law. Learn what the law requires and get practical tips for working together as a council to make decisions and set policy. Seat time: 60 minutes.

Second release date: Tuesday, Jan. 26

Public Finance 101 & 201

Core Competency: Financial Literacy

This combination 101 and 201 course will provide the introduction you need to understand city budgeting.

Part 1: Public Finance 101

Learn core concepts of public finance and budgeting basics. Seat time: 30 minutes.

Part 2: 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

Part 1: 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.

Part 2: Data Practices: A Guide for City Employees and Elected Officials 

Core Competencies: Managing Risk

Elected officials play an important role under the Data Practices Act, both as creators of government data and as members of the responsible governing body. This course will help you understand the basics of the Data Practices Act and your responsibilities under the law. Seat time: 25 minutes.

Third release date: Monday, Feb. 8 (After the in-person program.) 

 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.

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Friday, Feb. 5:

**All sessions are held in the Northland Ballroom unless otherwise noted. 

Newly Elected Leaders Program – Day 1 

9:45 a.m.
 Check-in open!

10:30 a.m.
Greeting from host city

10:40 a.m.
Welcome from League of Minnesota Cities 

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.

Learning objectives:

• Demonstrate insight into leadership expectations you most likely will encounter in this role.
• Apply key skills which will aid your experience as a leader and help build relationships with others.
• Reflect on your own personal leadership principles that you bring to the city.

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’s a lot to learn when you get started in local government. This session will walk you through common Open Meeting Law challenges elected officials face and give you a chance to put what you’re learning into practice. In small-group breakouts, you’ll share questions, hear from other participants and work through real-world scenarios together. Note: This session builds on information learned in the accompanying MemberLearn course. 

Learning objectives:

• Understand the basic requirements of an open meeting and how/when you can close a meeting.
• Explore common trip-ups your city may face and how to avoid breaking the Open Meeting Law.

Core Competencies: Integrity and Ethics; Communication; Policymaking; Meeting Facilitation

2 p.m.
Break

2:15 p.m.
Public Finance in Context

John McCarthy, Chief Financial Officer, League of Minnesota Cities; Lisa Sova, Assistant Finance Director – Member Services, League of Minnesota Cities

Put theory into practice by discussing common financial situations and working through real-world scenarios. In small-group breakouts, you’ll have a chance to share questions, hear from other participants and discuss how they would approach these situations. Note: This session builds on information learned in the accompanying MemberLearn course. 

Learning objectives:

• Understand your role in the city’s budgeting process.
• Learn critical components of public finance.
• Gain confidence in making budget decisions.

Core Competency: Financial Literacy

3:30 p.m.
Break

3:45 p.m.
Advocacy at the Capitol

Anne Finn, Chief Intergovernmental Relations Officer, League of Minnesota Cities; Daniel Lightfoot, Senior Intergovernmental Relations Representative, League of Minnesota Cities; Beth Johnston, Intergovernmental Relations Representative, League of Minnesota Cities

In this session, you’ll learn about your role—and the League’s role—in lobbying at the Capitol. You’ll learn how the League develops its policies, get tips for communicating with legislators, and explore tools and resources available to city councils. You’ll also learn how Minnesota cities can make their voices heard in Washington, D.C.

Learning objectives:

• Become familiar with the League’s policy development process.
• Learn how you can make an impact at the Capitol through advocacy efforts.

Core Competencies: Policymaking, Communication

4:30 p.m.
Social Time

5:30 p.m.
Dinner with remarks from League leadership and event sponsors 

6:30 p.m.
Adjourn for the day

Saturday, Feb. 6:

Newly Elected Leaders Program – Day 2

7:45 a.m. – 8:20 a.m.
Breakfast

8:30 a.m.
Risk and Legal Obligations for Cities in Context

Patricia Beety, General Counsel, League of Minnesota Cities

Review common legal scenarios that elected leaders may face. Practice scenarios with other participants, where you’ll get a chance to share questions and learn from others. Note: This session builds on information learned in the accompanying MemberLearn course. 

Learning objectives:

• Become familiar with the legal standards and concepts you need to uphold as an elected official.
• Understand how to work with city staff, your city attorney, and develop a habit of perusing the League’s website for latest trends and issues, including loss control and risk reduction from LMCIT.
• Recognize where to go if you need assistance navigating a tricky problem or have questions.

Core Competencies: Integrity and Ethics, Strategic Planning and Decision-Making, Managing Risk

9:45 a.m.
Break

10 a.m.
Elected Leaders Panel

Moderator: Jen Wolf, Chief Insurance Officer, League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust

Panelists: 

Courtney Johnson, LMC Board President and Mayor of Carver; Wendy Berry, LMC Past President and West St. Paul Council Member; Evan Vogel, LMC First 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.

Learning objectives:

• Become more confident in the duties of your new role.
• Gain perspective from fellow elected officials on navigating challenges and managing expectations in their cities.
• Develop strategies for building effective working relationships with city staff and departments. 

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 the 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.

Learning objectives:

• Recognize the Power of Purpose in order to maintain energy and focus.
• Identify Greenleaf’s Principles of Servant Leadership with a goal of incorporating them into daily leadership activities.
• Use Ethical Persuasion when communicating and interacting with fellow leaders, staff, and the community.
• Use Fair Process principles in civic discussions to build trust.

Core Competencies: Integrity and Ethics, Servant Leadership Mindset

12 p.m.
Closing remarks and adjourn. 

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