American City & County Magazine Highlights Knope of the Week
What is the Knope of the Week? It’s ELGL’s way of recognizing an individual or group of individuals who have excelled in promoting the public sector. Recipients may come from the public or private sector and are nominated by ELGL members. Recipients receive an incredible amount of recognition and prizes that we are not at liberty to disclose. The storied history of the award dates back to 2012.
American City & County Magazine
Bill Wolpin, Editorial Director/Associate Publisher, bill.wolpin@penton.com
Derek Prall, Assistant Editor, derek.prall@penton.com
Connect with American City & County Magazine: Facebook, Twitter, and Web
Background Check
American City & County has been the voice of state and local government since 1909. The magazine serves a powerful audience of city, county and state officials who are charged with developing and implementing government policy, programs and projects. The magazine maintains its leadership position by providing these readers with news, government trends, policy alternatives and operational solutions.
Knope-Worthy Contributions
The Knope went national this month. In the June issue of American City & County magazine, the article, “Municipal Outreach: What Your Website Says About You” by Derek Prall, highlights the communication efforts of ELGL, specifically, the Knope of the Week and the Resume Book.
Two examples of interactive programs offered by the ELGL are the “Knope of the Week Award” and the Resume Book outreach effort.
In a nod to the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation, the Knope of the Week recognizes public or private officials who go “above and beyond,” according to Wyatt. Nominated by ELGL members, notable recipients have included Mark Zusman, editor of the alt-weekly Willamette Week, and the leaders of Hillsboro, Ore., for establishing the Hillsboro Hops minor league baseball team.
The ELGL’s Resume Book is another web-based outreach program. Inspired by the “Who’s Who in America” books and programs like it, Wyatt said the program, which collects resumes to connect professionals with more than 100 governmental entities and partners, is growing. It now includes recruiting firms, cities, counties, state agencies and special districts.
ELGL, as well as I am sure Leslie Knope, was honored to be mentioned. Being highlighted for these efforts has benefited ELGL in a number of ways: increased website traffic, increased inquiries about ELGL from other individuals and groups from across the good ol’ U.S of A, and most importantly, increased recognition of the previous Knope of the Week winners.
You may recognize Bill’s name as he was one of the first profiles in On the Public Record. Derek, the author of the “Municipal Outreach” article, is also known for contributing to the web feature Governments’ Lighter Side which is an irreverent take on local and state government news. Here’s a sampling of the news covered in the feature: Pint-sized park causes international dispute, And the winner — um, mayor — is …, and Bigfoot’s existence confirmed! Just kidding.
We also honor American City & County magazine as a bit of a lifetime achievement award. The magazine, started in 1909, is almost older than the state of Oregon and has provided a consistent voice of state and local government issue.
Below we’ve highlighted some of our favorite American City & County magazine articles. Thanks to Bill, Derek, and the rest of the magazine’s staff for their contributions to the government arena.
Supplemental Reading
- On the Public Record with Bill Wolpin
- A new shade of green
- A sea change
- Under Water
- 2012 Municipal Leader of the Year: Building a championship team
- Citizen engagement through call centers