Introducing Virtual City Manager Think Tanks

Become part of a powerful community of City Managers and County Administrators that share insights on present-day challenges and support growth of peers leaders. The Virtual City Manager Think Tanks will help add big picture perspective while working through the daily local challenges.

Peer Groups for City Managers and County Administrators

Virtual Meetings are an efficient tool to get things done, particularly when there are limits to meeting in person. The need for social distancing has brought about significant changes for local government, one of them being expanded and regular use of virtual group meetings. In a short period of time, we now have generally accepted accessibility to others not necessarily in the same geographic area.

This opens the door to more frequent gatherings with others that aren’t close enough to meet in person regularly. Instead of voice only conference calls, we now have better meetings that contain the needed element of body language.

Expanding Regular Sharing of Ideas and Experiences

While there are some recurring regional meetings for City and County Managers that allow for sharing, typically, information sharing across Florida’s vast geographical area only occurs a few times a year, most notably at the FCCMA Annual Conference. The lack of an Annual Conference in 2020 has left a void, but even with it, the sharing of ideas and experience could be improved. This gap can be filled by recurring facilitated peer group meetings.

While there are some recurring regional meetings for City and County Managers that allow for sharing, information sharing across vast geographical areas only is more challenging. The lack of an Annual Conferences in 2020 has left a void. This gap can be filled by a Professionally Facilitated Virtual Think Tank.

Value From Members

Unlike attending training, the peer group value is from members, under the guidance of a trained professional facilitator. In peer groups, group norms are essential. These group norms include dedicated attendance, active participation and strict confidentiality, along with other norms that are established by the group. Read more about the City / County Manager Think Tanks.

Benefits of a Think Tank to Members

A diverse group of City Managers and County Administrators will offer perspectives from different viewpoints. This access to successful leaders sharing will offer:

• Discussion of current local government issues and tapping into the group mind to develop solutions
• Gaining new ideas to improve executive performance
• Creates a platform for members to share insights with other City/County Managers
• Personal growth through regular reflection, participation and sharing with peers

Professional Facilitation

City Managers and County Administrators regularly lead executive meetings and know the challenges associated with getting the most out of meeting attendees. By having a professional facilitator, all membersVirtual City Manager Think Tank will be able to participate freely, without concern for facilitating.

The Benefits of Professional Facilitation:

• Well Structured Meeting – a process for issue discussion and idea sharing
• Full Participation – create conditions that encourages all to contribute
• Neutral Facilitation – respect different voices, help group identify areas of agreement or challenges
• Fresh Perspective – new thinking, ideas and best-practice strategy frameworks
• Co-creation of outcomes – encourage group to generate creative solutions and accountability measures
• Actionable documentation – (where appropriate) a summary of discussion and agreed next steps
• Additional advantages – community building, increasing energy and enthusiasm

The Attributes of a Professional Facilitator:

• Great communication skills, especially listening
• Self confidence to guide executives and to challenge people with grace
• Group leader focused on getting the best from members without seeking recognition
• Flexibility to change a plan based on conditions
• Someone with a range of tools and techniques to help a group achieve superior performance

Selecting Group Members

The goal will be to establish each group with as many diverse viewpoints as possible. Therefore, diversity will be valued with regards to experience and demographics, along with municipal location, size and type.

Each group will be populated by members whole are true peers of the other members of the group. The City and County Manager Think Tank will benefit from different perspectives of members that have the same role in the organization. Therefore, selection and approval of member applicants is required.

Quality interactions based on each member being able to give and receive equally from the same current perspective

Meeting Duration and Frequency

The think tank sessions will be planned for 90 minutes and occur once a month. If there are events that would necessitate more frequency or to extend a session duration, accommodations will be made as necessary.