For the second year in a row, ELGL will be co-hosting an event at the ICMA Conference. This year we’re bringing a couple of pianos and booking a much larger room. More than 500 local government professionals from all areas of local government will attend. Registration will continue until we reach maximum capacity. We recommend registering as soon as possible. Let’s get prepared for the ELGL and ICMA “Mixing in Perfect Harmony” event by hearing from our guests.
Allecia Chatman-Ratliff
Tulsa, OK City Council — Council Aide
If you could pick any three bands (dead or alive) as the opening act for the Dueling Pianos event, which would you choose?
The Rolling Stones
The Eagles
SOS Band
When I learned the ICMA Conference was being held in Seattle, I thought…of the movie Sleepless in Seattle and how I always wanted the opportunity to visit Seattle. I thought, “Oh goodness, I better remember to bring my raingear.”
I knew local government was the career for me when…..9/11 negatively impacted the private sector and how many of my colleagues were laid off as a result.
Our #13Percent Initiative focuses on increasing diversity in the local government workforce. Give us your perspective — does local government have an issue? what, specifically, can we do to increase diversity in the workforce?
Yes, local government does have an issue and needs to provide more professional development and leadership opportunities. Also, local government needs to take a proactive approach to educate management on the importance of diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that are imperative to create an innovative workforce. In too many instances management in the workplace unintentionally function under the ethnocentric worldview by applying their own cultural lens in defining the needs of the workforce.
The Seahawks lost the Super Bowl by passing instead of running from the 1-yard line. Give us your best tip(s) for rebounding from difficult situations.
There will only be one problem this year regardless if Seahawks pass, run, or deflate the ball, and that’s “Dem Boys,” the Dallas Cowboys!