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Flex of the Year: Uninvite Yourself

Today's Morning Buzz is by Jessica VanderKolk, Communications Manager for the City of Battle Creek, in Southwest Michigan. Connect with me on LinkedIn, and chat with me on Twitter! What I'm reading: The President's Daughter by James Patterson What I'm watching: The Crown As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and we're all as busy as ever,...

Local Gov's Hottest Network is ELGL - This Place Has Everything!

Today's Morning Buzz is by Jessica VanderKolk. I'm the Communications Manager for the City of Battle Creek, Michigan. Come talk to me about bling booties and home spa items on Twitter and connect on LinkedIn. What I'm reading: Blue Nights by Joan Didion and Going There by Katie Couric What I'm watching: Grey's Anatomy in...

Keep Your Wheels Rolling: #ELGL21 Inspiration

Today's Morning Buzz is by Jessica VanderKolk, Communications Manager for the City of Battle Creek, Michigan. Connect with me on Twitter and LinkedIn! What I'm reading: Fires, Floods, and Taxicabs by Jeffrey Roth What I'm watching: Nailed It on Netflix - absolutely hilarious What I'm listening to: That sweet, sweet #ELGL Spotify playlist I...

Better Together During a Crisis, and Every Day

I am Jessica VanderKolk, Communications Manager buzzing with you from the City of Battle Creek, Michigan. Connect with me on Twitter and LinkedIn. What I'm reading: Out of Orange by Cleary Wolters What I'm watching: Grey's Anatomy (I'm binging on Netflix and I'm on Season 9... no spoilers!) I felt inspired to write today's Morning...

If You LOVE Recycling: A Communications Plan

Today's Buzz is by Jessica VanderKolk, Communications Manager in the City of Battle Creek, Michigan. Find me on Twitter and LinkedIn. What I'm reading: I've started a handful of books and am making slooow progress. Two are Pawnee: The Greatest Town in America by Leslie Knope; and Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey What I'm watching: Gilmore...

Cohort Mentor Opportunities

Cohort participants are often supported by volunteer members of ELGL who have years of practical knowledge and expertise in their field. Participants gain valuable one-on-one access to experts in their field who can connect them with the people and resources they need; mentors have an opportunity to give back to others and increase their profile...

Leave Time to Breathe - Planning Ahead, and Consciously Abandoning

This article was written by Jessica VanderKolk, Communications Manager for the City of Battle Creek. Jessica wrote this article as part of the Crisis Management Cohort with Drucker Institute. Read all the articles from the cohort. Connect with Jessica on email, Twitter, or LinkedIn. I am Jessica VanderKolk, Communications Manager for the City of Battle...

2020 #ELGLTraeger Winners: #41-#50

It's the most wonderful time of the year! We're counting down the top 100 influencers in local government. Today, met ten amazing local leaders who are making a difference in their communities. View the full list on the #ELGLTraeger page, and share your congrats using the hashtag #ELGLTraeger on social media! #41 - Khabirah Myers...

Share Your Team on Video

You are buzzing today with Jessica VanderKolk, Communications Manager with the City of Battle Creek, Michigan! Please connect with me on Twitter and LinkedIn! (And today is my #ELGLTakeoverTuesday, so follow me on Instagram @ELGL50!) What I’m reading: Just started Crisis Ready by Melissa Agnes. What I’m watching: Life Below Zero on Disney+ … fascinating...

2020 #ELGLTakeoverTuesday: Battle Creek, Michigan

Hi, ELGL family! It is Dec. 1 in Battle Creek, Michigan. This means our holiday lights are live, we have just sworn in our City Commission for the upcoming term, and our crews have prepped the snow plow fleet for a #PureMichigan winter. I’m Jessica VanderKolk (https://twitter.com/jlvanderkolk), the city’s communications manager. Next week, I celebrate...

Taking Fire Prevention Week Virtual

You're Buzzing today with Jessica VanderKolk, Communications Manager for the City of Battle Creek. Find me on Twitter and LinkedIn. What I'm reading: Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth (Call the Midwife, book 2). I watched the series on Netflix before I realized it was based on books. They're both excellent. What I'm watching:...

Call on Your People When you Need a Boost

Happy Monday, everyone! I'm Jessica VanderKolk, and I hope you'll connect with me on Twitter and LinkedIn. What I'm (re)watching: Parks & Rec. It's my favorite show when I need to keep it light. What I'm listening to: The Nice White Parents podcast from Serial and The New York Times. It's fascinating and maddening so...

Meet the 2020 Crisis Management Cohort

Join us in welcoming the 2020 Crisis Management Cohort participants! These 36 local government professionals have signed on for a six-week course from ELGL & The Drucker Institute on how to balance competing values, prepare for planned abandonment, and ensure equity in the face of unprecedented changes and challenges. The cohort kicks off next week...

Will Crisis Engagement Become Engagement?

I'm Jessica VanderKolk, Communications Manager for the City of Battle Creek, Michigan. Talk to me on Twitter and LinkedIn! What I'm reading -- Untamed by Glennon Doyle What I'm watching -- ASMR videos to relax my brain, while I work and before I sleep What I'm doing -- Running as much as I can, and...

Maintaining Engagement and Morale: Tips & Suggestions from ELGL Members

Denise Katula, CPM, the Manager of Leadership and Talent Development for County of Somerset, New Jersey compiled this blog post from ELGL member ideas and submissions in the ELGL Facebook group. Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, not all local government organizations embraced (or even allowed) public employees working remotely. It became rapidly apparent that...

Three Easy Ways to Stay Sane During a Stay-Home Order

I'm Jessica VanderKolk, Communications Manager for the City of Battle Creek, Mich. Join my Twitter fam and find me on LinkedIn. What I’m listening to: My husband teaching college virtually, my son watching his 30 minutes of afternoon TV, and my dog panting after playing outside. What I’m watching: Parks & Recreation when I can...

3 Ways to Improve Communications

I’m Jessica VanderKolk, communications manager for the City of Battle Creek, Michigan. Connect with me on Twitter and LinkedIn! What I’m reading: Daring Greatly by Brené Brown What I’m listening to: GovLove on my run this morning If I’m being real, I’ll tell you I don’t much feel on top of my game so far...

Communications Roadshow = Big Value

I'm Jessica VanderKolk, the Communications Manager for the City of Battle Creek, Michigan. Find me on Twitter and LinkedIn. What I'm reading: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown What I'm listening to: Christmas music. Don't @ me. What I'm (re)watching: The West Wing Battle Creek’s internal numbers look like this – 550+ teammates, in 15...

Throwing All the Noodles to See What Sticks

Today's Buzz is by Jessica VanderKolk -- @ me on Twitter and LinkedIn! Photo is from our actual town hall. What I'm watching: Just finished Diagnosis on Netflix. Fascinating, heartbreaking, and I want more episodes! What I'm listening to: Grinning Streak and Fake Nudes albums from Barenaked Ladies What I'm reading: Calypso by David Sedaris...

#CityHallSelfie Day: Most Pictures from an Organization

We're slow-rolling the winner announcements from 2019 #CityHallSelfie day! Learn more about each of our winners in each post, or see all the winners in one page on this page. #CityHallSelfie award winners receive a trophy and selfie stick from Bang the Table to recognize their joy and enthusiasm for local government service. Winner for...

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