Today’s Morning Buzz by Mike Ekey, Assistant City Manager for Belton, Mo. Connect with him on LinkedIn or Threads.
What I’m reading: The Small and The Mighty by Sharon McMahon (h/t Meredith Hauck at EverStrive).
What I’m listening to: A LOT of the K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack (Golden didn’t get to the top of the charts for nothing!)
Who are my pets: My dog Friday (she has no thoughts, just vibes) and my cat Mylo (he has his own Insta Account, managed by my daughter).
When I walked into the Raymore, Mo., City Hall for the first time in 2015, I wasn’t just starting a new job — I was stepping into a whole new world. I’d spent time as a journalist writing about City Halls. I had even spent time working for a local government risk pool supporting other City Halls and School Districts. But working for a City Hall was definitely not on my radar until that moment.
I was eager, a little overwhelmed, and honestly unsure where I’d find my place.
But like any other Elder Millennial, I had no problem sharing all of that anxiety and excitement with people on Facebook and (then) Twitter — and that is where I found ELGL. Everyone connected to ELGL seemed just as eager, overwhelmed and excited to learn with and from one another. It was a unique community focused on celebrating all things #LocalGov
When the first official City Hall Selfie Day launched in July 2016, I saw something truly wild online: people across the country posting photos of themselves — big smiles, goofy poses, creative angles — all in front of their City Halls. I even got a little carried away visiting more roughly two dozen City Halls in the Kansas City region.
At first, I thought it was just a fun social media trend. But that first selfie I took in front of my City Hall opened a door I didn’t know existed. I found other people who “got it” — who understood the pride and challenges of local government work. People who celebrated the small wins, laughed at the quirks of our profession, and shared a belief that local government at its best is a joyful, human thing.
In the decade since, City Hall Selfie Day has become my favorite day on the local gov calendar. Every year, I scroll through hundreds of selfies from tiny rural town halls to massive urban civic centers. In each selfie I see the same themes over and over: joy, pride, and connection.
It’s a reminder that while we work in different places and in different roles, we’re part of something bigger than ourselves.
This is exactly what ELGL is all about.
Sharing Joy
Government work isn’t always easy. The to-do list is endless, the resources are finite, and the stakes are high. But ELGL reminds us to take time to celebrate the good — to highlight the moments that make us proud to serve. City Hall Selfie Day is a chance to lean into that joy.
When you post your selfie, you’re showing the world that you care about your community and the people who make it run.
Building Connections:
The first time I participated, I didn’t know many in the ELGL network. But within hours, people commented, liked, and followed. Conversations started. Relationships grew. That simple photo was my first handshake with a national community of peers and friends. Now, I look forward to reconnecting with those same faces each year, watching their careers grow, and cheering on their successes.
The best part? City Hall Selfie Day is for everyone — elected officials, staff, community members, and even the occasional dog in a bow tie. You don’t have to be a social media pro or have a professional photographer. All you need is your phone, your City Hall, and your willingness to join the fun.
So tomorrow, Aug. 12, I hope you’ll join me in snapping and sharing your own City Hall Selfie.
Be silly. Be creative. Be proud.
Because every photo adds another thread to the vibrant story of local government — a community built one selfie at a time.