Board of Directors Operating Policy

• Fostering connection and cohesion among the municipal management professionals within the state through deliberate establishment of a regionally based, statewide network among municipal managers
   
• Activating this cohesive network to:
  • Provide opportunities for collegial professional exchanges on shared issues in each region and within the state
  • Memorialize and share emerging, next, and best professional practices statewide
  • Establish statewide practices to host psychologically safe spaces for members to engage colleagues on issues and challenges they are facing in their careers or organizations
  • Actively support development of diversity within the profession, and practice equity and inclusion in association membership, leadership and business.
  • Develop a pipeline of leaders both within the profession generally for succession planning as well as within the association for association leadership roles (board participation/senior advisors).

1. Each year, at the meeting following board elections, the Board will finalize a roster of regional assignments, assigning at least one State Region to each Board member for the purposes noted in this policy. 
    
2. In the context of these assignments, each member of the Board should engage the following or comparable methods in support of the objectives noted above.  In pursuit of this, WCMA recognizes each region is unique in its composition and capacity, and delivery of these activities is expected to reflect those factors; Board Members should endeavor to reflect the spirit of this policy in the engagement with others in the profession.
   
   2.1. Monthly business connection: the Board member assigned to each Region should host a regular professional connection, such as a lunch or coffee, virtually or in person, to facilitate idea exchange, share Association business, welcome professionals new to the region, and solicit participation in seasonal and annual association activities and conferences.  Suggested frequency is bi-monthly.
   
   2.2. Periodic socials:  the Board member should host (or cause to be hosted) a social event for professionals within their assigned region for the purposes of building regional cohesion, advancing equity and inclusion by introducing next generation leadership candidates to the WCMA, creating psychologically safe spaces for professional decompression and developing social capital within the association.  Suggested frequency is quarterly.
   
   2.3. Annual conferences:  each Board member should attend the annual conference and should actively solicit attendance by professionals within their assigned region.  At the conference, each Board member will make themselves available serve as a “buddy” or informal  host for first-time conference attendees, supporting inclusion and serving as a resource to optimize their conference experience.  “Buddy” assignments for those first-time attendees who wish to be paired with a buddy will be made by the conference planning committee.
   
   2.4. Connection with Senior Advisors:  Each board member should connect individually with their assigned senior advisor no less than quarterly.
   
   Board members should report out to the full Board at each board meeting on the activities and outcomes resulting from the above.
   The Board should consider themes emerging from these reports in developing Board and WCMA strategic plan priorities and work programs.
   
   In planning and engaging these activities, each Board member should deliberately seek approaches that reduce barriers to participation, which may include the location and format of the event, the cost of participation, the time commitment (including travel time), day of week and hybrid options.  Social events should take particular care to assure inclusive alcohol-free options.
   
   Board members assigned to each region should explore and identify opportunities for sponsorships of WCMA events on a regional and statewide basis.
    
3. In support of the above, the WCMA will:
   
   3.1. On request from a Board member and at the discretion of the Executive Committee, provide each current board member with:
   
         3.1.1. The authority to offer free annual conference registration and annual WCMA membership dues to prospective members.
   
   3.2. Develop portable content or curricula to support quarterly meetings and encourage member participation.