Engaging Local Government Leaders

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Engaging Local Government Leaders We engage the brightest minds in local government. You may know us from GovLove Podcast, Top Influencers in Local Gov, and Day: Aug. 12, 2025.

We believe we can make a difference in people’s lives and communities. We believe telling stories about people, ideas, trends and approaches in local government is the best way to make a positive difference. We believe that working creatively, harder and smarter makes our professional association unique, relevant and timely. We believe that building a network of support will attract and retain the best and brightest to the local government profession. We believe that anyone with a passion for public service can become a member, and understand that there is no longer one path to leadership.

10/22/2026

Folks, the last two months have been an incredible experience from the Government Grand Prix in Indianapolis to the ICMA conference in City of Long Beach - we have had the privilege of hearing so many stories of joy, innovation and belonging from our friends all over the country.

We continue to grow stronger by simply holding space for those who dedicate themselves to help their communities and one another.

Even though the 2026 conference season is coming to a close, this is the perfect time to join ELGL and experience the Love for yourself.

The ELGL Family = The Ultimate Hype PeopleAmie Hendrix, ICMA-CM and Cassie Johnson (and Meredith Reynolds in spirit!) ...
10/20/2026

The ELGL Family = The Ultimate Hype People
Amie Hendrix, ICMA-CM and Cassie Johnson (and Meredith Reynolds in spirit!) tackled the incredibly difficult topic about how to let go and how to not give AF.

Both spoke from a powerful place of vulnerability to share their own unapologetic joy of .

Even as they answered questions about setting boundaries, learning to say No and how to stop “Should-ing” on your self - they still reminded everyone that they are also still learning. But that’s what makes them incredible leaders!

Of course, there were a few selfies along the way.

ICMA

🏛️👁️👄👁️🤳It would not be an ELGL gathering without a or two!We started the day early at the City of Long Beach City Hal...
10/19/2026

🏛️👁️👄👁️🤳
It would not be an ELGL gathering without a or two!

We started the day early at the City of Long Beach City Hall and civic plaza but had a great opportunity to connect with members from across the country.

Did you happen to also grad a selfie wild at ICMA - International City/County Management Association ??? Tag us let’s share the joy!

Thank you to one of our OG Pocket Friends Cassie Johnson for her photog skills and killer coffee recommendation! ☕️☕️

😭😭😭We had SO MUCH FUN chatting with members of The Volcker Alliance Service to Service Fellows program that ELGL failed ...
10/19/2026

😭😭😭
We had SO MUCH FUN chatting with members of The Volcker Alliance Service to Service Fellows program that ELGL failed to get any photos!!

This is an incredible group of veterans and veteran-affiliated individuals from across the country earning their MPA (and looking for the perfect community to bring their talents).

We brought the message of our North Star (No One Leads Alone) and made few new pocket friends tonight at this awesome ICMA - International City/County Management Association event.

We are up early and ready to connect with so many of our friends here at ICMA - find us in the ICMA Hub and pick up so...
10/18/2026

We are up early and ready to connect with so many of our friends here at ICMA - find us in the ICMA Hub and pick up some fun ELGL Swag!

🏐 I yelled “F💣 YEAH!” when I first read a draft of ELGL’s new North Star. That fact that I may or may not have been sitt...
10/15/2026

🏐 I yelled “F💣 YEAH!” when I first read a draft of ELGL’s new North Star. That fact that I may or may not have been sitting courtside at my daughter's volleyball practice is irrelevant (I promise I’m a mostly normal sports parent.)

This week’s by Mike Ekey, assistant city manager at Belton, Missouri and ELGL Chair, is about what happens when you realize ELGL’s future isn’t something the Board gets to decide in a vacuum. It belongs to our members.

At the Gov Grand Prix conference this past month in Indianapolis, we asked members what they want more of when it comes to our strategic plan: joy, belonging, and growth.

The answers included superpower directories, more Supper Clubs, better leadership development, and making sure local government folks don’t have to run themselves into the ground to be successful.

Turns out, the best strategic plan isn’t written for members. It’s built with them.

🏁 Read the article, share your ideas, and help us keep building an ELGL where No One Leads Alone.

Sometimes the next chapter is exciting, bittersweet, and exactly right. This week’s from Cassie Johnson is a beautiful...
10/07/2026

Sometimes the next chapter is exciting, bittersweet, and exactly right. This week’s from Cassie Johnson is a beautiful reminder that both things can be true.

You can be thrilled about what’s next and sad to leave something you loved.

You can know a season is complete without deciding there was anything wrong with it. And you can carry the lessons, people, and experiences from one chapter with you without staying in that chapter forever.

After nearly 16 years with the City of Scottsdale Police Department, Cassie is stepping into a new role as the permanent Director of WestWorld of Scottsdale. Along the way, she’s collected a career’s worth of lessons about leadership, systems, accountability, compassion, and finding your place at the table.

It’s a love letter to a place that helped shape her and a reminder that moving forward doesn’t mean leaving everything behind.

Read Cassie’s latest : “Both Things Can Be True: On Knowing When a Season Is Complete.” 💚 (Link in the comments)

And maybe grab yourself an iced lavender Americano with espresso cold foam while you’re at it. ☕️

Forget the hustle & grind.Fridays are for watching all the 2026 Day winners and soaking up as joy for as you can in ...
10/02/2026

Forget the hustle & grind.

Fridays are for watching all the 2026 Day winners and soaking up as joy for as you can in spot.
🏛️ 👁️ 👄 👁️ 🤳

Check out all of the winner from 2026 on our website: https://elgl.org/city-hall-selfie-day-2026-honorees/

You are not going to want to miss out on what we have coming up ...👀Are you an ELGL member? Make sure your membership is...
09/28/2026

You are not going to want to miss out on what we have coming up ...👀

Are you an ELGL member? Make sure your membership is up to day. Not a member yet? What are you waiting for?!

ELGL is where local government folks come to find their people, swap ideas, learn something new, laugh at the chaos, and remember that we really don't have to do this work alone.

💚 No One Leads Alone.

So today, take one of three actions:
👉 Join ELGL
👉 Check your membership status
👉 Tag someone who would LOVE being part of this community

Because the best part of ELGL isn't the webinars, events, resources or professional development.

It's the people.

Come for the nerdiness. Stay for the ridiculously good people. 🫶

Hit up our membership page or log into our member portal at the links below. 👏 👇

Why does local government love a good policy so much?This week’s Morning Buzz from Kayla Barber, of City of Albany Orego...
09/24/2026

Why does local government love a good policy so much?

This week’s Morning Buzz from Kayla Barber, of City of Albany Oregon, takes a closer look at one of our favorite government habits and asks us to think a little differently about how we document the way we work.

It might have you looking at your own organization’s policies with a slightly more suspicious eye. 👀

👉 Read the latest and join the conversation.

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850 Massachusetts Ave
Indianapolis, IN
46204

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