PURPOSE: To
Improve the Quality of Local Government
The purposes of GCCMA are to improve the quality of local government
in Georgia by supporting and encouraging professional local government
management; to provide professional development programs and publications
for local government professionals that improve their skills, increase
their knowledge of local government, and strengthen their commitment
to the values and ideas of professional management; and, to serve
as the recognized affiliate organization of ICMA.
MEMBER SERVICES: Training,
Education, and Communications
The Association sponsors two educational conferences for members
each year. The fall conference is held over a three day period,
at a location in the state selected by the Board, with programs
emphasizing issues of special interest to Georgia Managers. A relaxed
environment and thoughtful scheduling makes the fall conference
a useful opportunity to retreat from regular business activity.
The spring conference is held annually in Athens, in conjunction
with the Southeastern Municipal and County Management Institute.
GCCMA is a cosponsor of the Institute (with The University of Georgia),
which attracts managers from several southern states. The spring
conference is usually organized around a particular professional
development topic and includes review of issues and subjects of
broad interest. Nationally prominent trainers and speakers are featured
on the program along with regional leaders in local government management.
The conference is regularly attended by an officer and staff representative
of ICMA.
GCCMA also sponsors occasional training programs on special subject
matters as part of its commitment to continuing professional development.
GCCMA sponsors the Georgia Dinner each year at the ICMA Annual
Conference. Members of GCCMA who attend either of the annual conventions
of ACCG or GMA always gather for a meal and brief discussion of
common interests.
Members of the Association receive a monthly newsletter that includes
information of current interest to Georgia Managers as well as discussion
of public administration issues and concerns. The newsletter regularly
features a schedule of meetings of interest to managers, a report
of any actions initiated by the officers, minutes of meetings, news
about members, editorial letters, and occasional brief articles
on state, regional, and national matters. The main purpose of the
newsletter is to keep the Association "alive and in front of
the members" between conferences and training sessions.
A directory of members is updated regularly. The directory lists
employment history, education, and service to GCCMA and ICMA, as
well as addresses and telephone information.
PUBLIC SERVICES: For
All Interested in Local Government
All GCCMA meetings, conferences, and training programs are open
to non-members upon payment of registration fees. Students of public
administration and faculty of public administration programs are
invited to attend certain meetings and social functions without
charge.
The Association newsletter is available by subscription to non-members,
at a charge determined annually. Mailing lists are never made available
for any purpose not specifically approved by the Executive Committee
of GCCMA.
GCCMA helped found and now cosponsors an annual local government
education seminar for teachers. The purpose of this program is to
provide improved information and teaching materials for middle and
high school civics and social studies teachers.
Graduate students in public administration may apply for annual
scholarship support from GCCMA.
GCCMA was the first state Association to make a grant to the ICMA
Endowment for the Professions and continues to provide annual support.
Members of GCCMA regularly serve as speakers and panel members
at a variety of educational and training meetings sponsored by professional
associations and civic groups.
ETHICS: The ICMA Code
All members of the GCCMA agree to adhere to the ICMA
Code of Ethics as a condition of membership in GCCMA.
The ICMA Code of Ethics established broad principles for the personal
and professional conduct of members. It is periodically reviewed
and updated to ensure that the tenets of the Code reflect the profession's
collective best judgment about principled behavior by local government
managers.
