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Member Spotlight
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Dr. Mitchell Berg, PhD
Associate Director Veden Center for Rural Development, University of Minnesota Crookston ICMA Member since 2015
Building Trust
One challenge I’ve encountered was building trust. Especially when unfamiliar with the community and the people, you really have to build a foundation. In my dissertation research, I discovered an interesting statistic: when tribal government headquarters and city/ county government centers are located near each other, it leads to those elected leaders not wanting to cooperate. After centuries of racism and trauma, there’s a lot of mistrust that still exists in our community today, unfortunately. The greatest challenge has been to overcome those barriers and, in some cases, building relationships on a one-on-one level.
Advice for Managers on Indigenous Communities
The first way to overcome barriers is to listen. So many people just want to be that “savior,” but what is really important is to listen to the indigenous community’s needs and see if they align with your priorities. If they don’t align, you have to ask yourself what you’re willing to do. Next is to really understand that tribal community. Each one is very different and unique. You need to be intentional when you build these relationships. It should not be one where you come together for a mutual need and then you end that relationship. You must sustain that relationship. Lastly, understand that tribes have sovereignty and understand what that sovereignty means to that tribe. That will go a long way to help deepen those relationships. Celebrating National Native American Heritage Month
Transformational Communities
Working in Mahnomen, Minnesota, was very fulfilling; the community really wants to see change. They’re very proud of where they’ve been, and they want to keep that momentum moving forward. It has been great to work in a community where you have multiple champions—city council, staff, tribal councilmembers, and elected and non-elected community leaders.
The Power of ICMA
In an ever-changing profession, with the challenge of running a town or county in a very difficult political climate, leaning on our peers has been basically a free and very affordable mental health service. There are so few people that really understand what we do, and to be able to build those networks and lean on them is so helpful. ICMA has enabled me to see that there are other communities out there facing the same issues as mine.
STEP UP TO ICMA EXECUTIVE BOARD SERVICE
Serve your peers. Serve your profession. Serve your association.
ICMA’s 21-member executive board provides governance to the association and is responsible for selecting the president, supervising the association’s executive director/CEO, providing fiduciary oversight, representing the association, and adopting policies to advance ICMA’s mission and vision, thereby exercising a critical leadership role for the local government management profession. The board also enforces the association’s Code of Ethics, which governs the professional and personal conduct of the membership.
There are six regions and each region is represented by three regional vice presidents. Every year, each region has one regional vice president position open up in the region’s rotation. ICMA Executive Board service demands active participation and a significant commitment of time and effort throughout a board member’s three-year term.
NOMINATIONS FOR REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED OCTOBER 18, 2022, THROUGH JANUARY 13, 2023.
Start planning today! ICMA strongly encourages individuals who are interested in pursuing this leadership opportunity to reach out to their state or country association leadership, affiliate organization leadership, current or former ICMA regional vice presidents, ICMA regional directors, or ICMA program staff at icmanominations@icma.org. Access regional nominations and annual election information on ICMA’s website: icma.org/BoardNominations. “Being able to represent colleagues in my region was a tremendous honor and responsibility. Throughout my time on the board, I had the privilege of working with some very talented people while making some great friends.”
Christopher Coleman, former Northeast Regional Vice President
“I wanted to serve on the board to give back to ICMA and the profession. As a board member, I believe I have been able to have an impact on the important work of the ICMA Strategic Plan.”
Diane Stoddard, Mountain Plains Regional Vice President
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Board. Local governments around the world have never been more challenged than they are right now and it’s important that we have organizations like ICMA to help us navigate the difficult waters. I would strongly encourage any ICMA member to put their name forward to run for a board position.”
Chris MacPherson, International Regional Vice President
