The next economy of the San Joaquin Valley inched forward this year as the recovery continued its upward trend. There are two factors that will help sustain the economic and social vitality in the Valley; education and transportation. A workforce exists, and will continue to expand as demand for skilled labor increases, encouraging higher paid […]
Great Event at ‘The Grand’
This year’s Summer Signature Symposium Forum was a great success! Thanks to everyone who attended the event. Roughly 80 participants gathered in the City of Tracy at the Grand Theatre Center for Arts on Thursday, July 9, 2015. MMANC had a wonderful line-up of speakers, starting with the morning session from Dr. Frank Benest on […]
Navigating Through the Fog: A Naval Officer’s Lessons on Leading Teams
A viscous fog engulfed us as the ship slowly settled on its course into San Diego Harbor. As the Navigator, it was my duty to ensure the safe navigation of our ship by giving the Officer of the Deck (OOD) course and speed recommendations. The visual landmarks on which we usually depended were completely […]
The Value of MMANC: An Interview with City Manager Mark Prestwich
Mark Prestwich has been working in progressively responsible local government positions for nearly two decades and was appointed to his first City Manager position with the City of Nevada City in June 2014. Mark earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from CSU, Fullerton and Masters in Public Policy & Administration from CSU, Long Beach. […]
Made in the Midwest: An Interview with Erin Steffen
Erin Steffen has been working in local government for several years and considers it a natural fit for her passion for helping others as well as her desire to implement positive change in her community. She currently serves as an Administrative Analyst for the City of Dublin. While completing her graduate degree in the Midwest, […]
Workshop on Team Leadership Set for Santa Rosa on July 16
Being a leader, especially in local government, is not easy. As many agency decisions are based on group-decision making, it is crucial that effective leaders develop the skills needed to manage a team. Join Municipal Management Association of Northern California (MMANC)’s Region 2 as they host this session on Team Leadership! It will be held […]
Come to the Capital: MMANC Annual Conference Registration Opens
Early-bird registration for the 2015 MMANC Annual Conference has opened! The annual event draws over 250 local government professionals each year. This year’s conference theme is “Creating Connections” and returns to the Embassy Suites – Sacramento Riverfront Promenade from Wednesday, October 14 through Friday, October 16. This year’s conference is jam-packed with engaging sessions, riveting […]
Summer Symposium to Focus on Communicating Your Message in a Fast-paced, Ever-changing Era
The Municipal Management Association for Northern California (MMANC) is hosting another signature event, the Summer Signature Symposium. The annual signature event will be held in the City of Tracy at the Grand Theatre Center for Arts on Thursday, July 9, 2015. The City of Tracy is proud to host the event at the spectacular venue. The […]
Sometimes “The Happiest Place on Earth” Can Get “Grumpy”: A Reflection on Customer Service
ORIGINAL CONTENT Last month my family and I spent a few days at “The Happiest Place on Earth.” By nearly every account, Disneyland was just that. Our time was filled with cheerful celebration, wild imagination, and endless entertainment. My parents traveled with my husband and me, along with our two daughters. My eldest daughter, […]
Introduction to the City Clerk
ORIGINAL CONTENT Throughout history, wherever there were meetings of chiefs or elders or guilds, there was someone to record what happened. That historic recorder became the Municipal Clerk. This is the function which we are most associated with: recording actions that happen in official meetings including minutes, resolutions, and ordinances. [pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” […]