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Discovering, Exploring, and Connecting with Local Leaders

Discovering, Exploring, and Connecting with Local Leaders. John Amrhein Claire Layman July 17, 2009. Why it is more important than ever. State economy in midst of transition from manufacturing to ??????? State budget will be smaller for the foreseeable future

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Discovering, Exploring, and Connecting with Local Leaders

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  1. Discovering, Exploring, and Connecting with Local Leaders John Amrhein Claire Layman July 17, 2009

  2. Why it is more important than ever • State economy in midst of transition from manufacturing to ??????? • State budget will be smaller for the foreseeable future • Whatever the “restructuring” looks like, the transition will require solid relationships before we start making changes

  3. Discovering, Exploring • Utilize SLG programs and local resources to improve your understanding of how government functions • Attend meetings, get involved in local projects to build relationships outside of your CED role • Read the news • Involve all staff

  4. Discovering, Exploring • County structure and culture • More competition for scarce resources • Mandated service issue likely to be raised • Power structure varies from county to county • Role and relative power of elected officials • Administrative structure, role and power • Who are the kingmakers • Competitive v. cooperative culture

  5. Discovering, Exploring • Culture of communication, see “Strategies for Relationships” on the Strategic Connections page on the portal • Elected officials and staff • Learn their needs and explore ways MSUE can help them solve problems

  6. It’s ALL about Connecting • Build relationships by meeting people’s needs and helping them achieve their goals, “Helping people improve their lives…” is our mission • This includes state and local elected and appointed officials

  7. Connecting • Build relationships before you need them • Be a team player, be punctual and thorough • Build programs with elected officials • Have a quality web presence and keep it up to date • County and MSUE on all correspondence • “You miss 100% of the shots you never take” Wayne Gretzky, Julie Moberg

  8. Connecting • More Gretzky, “A good hockey player plays where the puck is, a great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.” • Email works for communicating with most legislators • Never underestimate the importance of staff: legislative, county, and yours!

  9. Connecting in the future • How, or is it different, if or when we have the rumored multi-county structure? • With multiple counties, there are more people to connect with, more relationships to build • Two tiered approach • Broad base of all who are important • Focused effort with key individuals

  10. Connecting in the future • Greater distances mean less “accidental” contact, more possibilities for disconnects • Need to be intentional, purposeful • Maintenance of relationships becomes more important • The fundamentals don’t change • Importance of this part of the role increases

  11. SLG Programs • Strategic Connections, Conference Call first Friday of every month • Policy Making in Lansing, Sept 09 • Workshop on the Move: Fall Conference 09 • Claire can host public issue forum for you on contentious local issue • Eric, John, Mark can educate on government finance and restructuring • Benchmarking Consortium: Nicole Bradshaw

  12. Ideas for Connecting • Mail partner report to local officials • Attend county board meetings • Partner with other county departments where there is overlap • Act as facilitator; invite official(s) and special constituent group in to discuss their topic of concern

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