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Camp Govlife: ELGL 2025 Conference

Welcome to Camp GovLife — ELGL’s 2025 conference in Santa Rosa, CA! Grab your ELGL socks and canteen, dust off your compass, and pack your backpacks — Camp GovLife is calling! ELGL’s 2025 conference is heading to Santa Rosa, CA, from Oct. 1-3, 2025. Whether you’re a seasoned local gov pro or a first-time local...

How Leaders Can Combat Burnout and Boredom in Local Government

Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to you by Greg LeBlanc, Assistant Town Manager, Town of Snowmass Village, CO. Connect with Greg on LinkedIn What I want to be when I grow up: Astronaut If I were a spice, I would be: Paprika How do you fool a Morning Buzz reader? Click here. Maintaining a motivated...

Garbage Water, Social Mavens, and Other Signs of Disengagement

Today's Morning Buzz is brought to you by Matt Horn, Director of Strategic Growth and Development for MRB Group, and the second-worst audience participant Cirque de Soleil has ever seen. Connect with Matt on LinkedIn, and wherever great peanut butter milkshakes are sold. What I’m reading: "Among the Bros," a wild look at a fraternity-based...

Podcast: Stand By Me, Emergency Mutual Aid in Malibu, CA with Joseph Toney and Alexis Brown

Joseph Toney Acting City Manager City of Malibu, CA LinkedIn Alexis Brown Deputy City Manager City of Malibu, CA LinkedIn Two guests joined the podcast to talk about the response to the Palisades Fire. Joseph Toney is the Acting City Manager for Malibu and Alexis Brown is the Deputy City Manager for Malibu. They discussed...

How Inclusive Design and Cloud Technology Enhance the Resident Experience

Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to you by Mike Teeters and Kathy Wolf. Mike is a senior product manager at Tyler Technologies and Kathy is Tyler’s senior director of user experience. Connect with Mike or Kathy on LinkedIn. What we’re reading: “Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams” by Matthew Walker, Ph.D....

The Power of Sharing

Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to you by Chaquinta Fisher, I.T. Support Manager for McLennan County, TX. Connect with Chaquinta on LinkedIn. What I’m reading: The Book of Jeremiah – The Bible What I’m listening to: The Basement with Tim Ross podcast What I’m watching: "The Equalizer" I recently learned of higher learning opportunities that...

Public Service Recognition Week

Public Service Recognition Week is our chance to shine a spotlight on the incredible folks in local government who keep our communities running day in and day out. Whether you’re drafting policy, repairing roads, leading public meetings, or managing behind-the-scenes magic — you deserve to be seen and celebrated. At ELGL, we’re celebrating with a...

Podcast: Managing Disruption in a Rapidly Changing World with Michael Welker, ncIMPACT

Michael Welker Director of Policy and Research Partnerships ncIMPACT Initiative LinkedIn Michael Welker, Director of Policy and Research Partnerships for the ncIMPACT Initiative at the UNC School of Government joined the podcast to discuss managing change. He talked about a recent report they released on Managing Disruption in a Rapidly Changing World. He shared why...

Building and Maintaining Culture and Connection — In Human Form

Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to you by Jennifer Teal, Senior Manager at Raftelis. Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn. What I'm reading: "The Measure" What I'm watching: "Severance" At the end of February, the local government and utility consulting firm that I work with, Raftelis, held our annual retreat. Nearly 200 of my colleagues met...

Addressing the Urban-Rural Skills Gap: A Call for Government Action

Today's Morning Buzz is by Dr. Bill Brantley, President and Chief Learning Officer of BAS2A (consultancy) in Louisville, Ky. Connect will Bill on LinkedIn. What I’m reading: "Who Is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service" by Michael Lewis What I’m watching: Binging "Only Murders in the Building" What I’m working on: Creating a course...

Turning Your Kryptonite into Your Super Power

Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to you by Karen Tapahe, Public Information Officer for the Utah Department of Corrections. Connect with Karen on LinkedIn. What I’m watching: “Elsbeth” on CBS. It feels like a modern version of "Columbo." What I’m newly obsessed with: Hockey! (Utah got an NHL hockey team this year, and I’m a...

Podcast: Reimagining Communities and Local Government Trends with Sheila Shockey and Grant Mayfield

Sheila Shockey Founder and CEO Shockey Consulting Services LinkedIn Grant Mayfield Public Administration Consultant Shockey Consulting Services LinkedIn Two guests joined the podcast to talk about trends in local government and futurology. Sheila Shockey is the Founder and CEO of Shockey Consulting Services. Grant Mayfield is a Public Administration Consultant for Shockey Consulting Services. They...

What Did You Give Today?

Today’s Morning Buzz is by Jackie Wehmeyer, Senior Director of Strategy and Intergovernmental Affairs for the City of Parkland, Fla., and proud new member of ELGL’s Board of Directors. Connect with Jackie on LinkedIn. What I’m reading: I just finished "The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music" by Dave Grohl - an authentic and enjoyable read...

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning - A Leadership Guide for Local Government

Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to you by Sheila Shockey, Founder, CEO, Futurist, Shock Talk Podcast Host at Shockey Consulting and artist/gallery owner 80 Santa Fe in Downtown Overland Park, Kan. Follow Sheila on LinkedIn and Instagram, and Shockey Consulting. What I’m watching: March Madness baby – Go Houston! What I’m listening to: Grateful Dead...

Leadership Lessons from Lucy Van Pelt for Local Government Employees

Today's Morning Buzz is by Ariana Adame, Director of Capital Projects for the City of West Sacramento, Calif. Connect with her on LinkedIn. What I’m reading: "Green Lights," by Matthew McConaughey What I’m watching: "Paradise" on Hulu What I’m listening to: Mary J. Blige Lucy Van Pelt was my favorite "Peanuts" character growing up. Sure,...

Podcast: Inside the City Management Internship Experience with Emilia Krajewski, Diksha, and Sarah Nissen

Emilia Krajewski Management Intern City of Chandler, AZ LinkedIn Diksha Administrative Intern - Economic Development City of Saginaw, TX LinkedIn Sarah Nissen City Management Intern City of Plymouth, MN LinkedIn Three civic starters joined the podcast to discuss their city management internships. Emilia Krajewski is a Management Intern for the City of Chandler, Arizona; Diksha...

Remembering Our First Loves

Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to you by Dr. Sarah Story, Executive Director of the Jefferson County, Colo. Public Health Department. Find Sarah on LinkedIn, Medium, or Instagram. What I’m reading: I’m about 10 years too late, but I’m reading A Little Life and jeez Louise is it hard to get through. Not really before-bed...

Public Spaces are a Part of Democracy: A Call to Local Governments

Today's Morning Buzz is by Mary King, a writer and researcher with Envisio, a public-sector-focused strategic planning and performance management software. Connect with Mary or Envisio on LinkedIn. A funny TikTok I saw recently: I recently re-watched a TikTok of this guy drinking bubble tea for the first time, but he wasn’t expecting the tapioca...

Podcast: Innovation and Collaboration through the Sparks Program with Grace Hanne, Johnson County KS

Grace Hanne Innovation Principal Analyst Johnson County, KS LinkedIn Grace Hanne, an Innovation Principal Analyst for Johnson County, KS joined the podcast to discuss the County's Sparks Pilot Program, which is an effort to encourage collaboration and innovation across the organization. The program brings together employees from different areas of the County to work on...

Leadership, Change, and the Power of Strategic Alignment

Today's Morning Buzz is by Alex McKnight, Business Manager for Buncombe County Public Safety Communications in Asheville, N.C. Connect with Alex on LinkedIn. What I’m reading: "Tier One" by Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson, "The Consulting Bible" by Alan Weiss What I’m watching: "Reacher & Invincible" (Amazon Prime) What I’m listening to: "Hurry Up Tomorrow"...