City Manager Unfiltered

Keyboard Warriors & Social Media Terrorists with Sam Toles | Ep. 68

In Part 2 of my interview with Sam Toles of CiviSocial, we discuss keyboard warriors and social media terrorists. I offer up my distinction between the two and urge elected officials to exercise more discernment when evaluating online attacks.
We discuss the outsized impact of the minority, whether they are truly engaged and participating in the process, and how spineless elected officials can send demoralizing signals and messages to their staff.
Sam also shares a secret tip he uses to differentiate himself from the competition when competing for jobs. If you are a public sector executive or aspire to become one, you should definitely listen for this little nugget in the first half of the episode. 
SHOW NOTES:
If you are interested in hiring Sam Toles & CiviSocial for social media consulting, you can save 10% between now and December 31st by simply telling him that you are a City Manager Unfiltered listener.
CiviSocial website and LinkedIn page
Sam Toles' LinkedIn page
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
 

Your City is Doing Social Media Wrong with Sam Toles | Ep. 67

Sam Toles is a social media expert having worked for large entertainment companies like Bleacher Report, MGM, and Warner Music, as well as Vimeo. He was also served as an elected councilmember for the California community of Cathedral City.
He is passionate about social media and the public sector, but believes that most communities across the country are doing social media wrong. That is why he launched his new firm, CiviSocial.
In this two part series we are going to discuss why communities are failing, how they can silence the haters, create passionate boosters, and what platforms are trending up and down when it comes to reach and influence.
He also thinks communities that hire consultants to run their social media platforms are wasting their money.
In Part 2, we are going to dive into a discussion about how elected officials get spun up by negative comments on social media and what can be done to minimize their overreaction to the trolls.
We will also announce a special promotional offer for listeners of the podcast in Part 2.
SHOW NOTES:
CiviSocial website and LinkedIn page
Sam Toles' LinkedIn page
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
 

How do we attract more women and minorities to the profession with Amy Farkas | Ep. 66

Patton Township Manager Amy Farkas is passionate about recruiting more women and minorities into the profession of city and county management. In this episode, we talk about the importance of "telling a better story" to attract these candidates.
We also discuss her unique approach to dealing with the stresses of the job through her hobby and what benefits she has been able to transfer over into her professional life as a result.
SHOW NOTES:
Amy Farkas' LinkedIn page
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
 

Michael Penny believes the AAME can help city managers with performance reviews | Ep 65

In the third and final installment of my interview series with Castle Pines City Manager Michael Penny, he shares his views on the recruitment and performance review processes and puts forth the idea that the American Association of Municipal Executives can assist city and county managers by influencing how these events are structured.
Penny argues that candidates currently have little say in the recruitment process and do not have a seat at the table under the current paradigm. And he suggests that performance reviews are too often left open to a myriad of variables that disadvantage the executive.
If you enjoyed this series and have some questions for Penny regarding the credentialing process, please reach out and contact me as we have discussed the possibility of conducting a live webinar Q & A. However, we need participants to ask questions!
 
SHOW NOTES:
Michael Penny's LinkedIn profile
Information about the ICMA Credentialing Advisory Board (CAB).
If you have questions about the credential, you can contact the CAB via email or phone at:
credentialing@icma.org
(202) 962-3504
If you want to join the American Association of Municipal Executives and becoming a founding member, register today at: https://community.aame.org/.
Deadline to become a founding member has been extended to July 25th.
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
 

Why does the ICMA credential exist & does it measure competency? | Ep. 64

Why did the ICMA create the credentialed manager program and does it measure competency?
We discuss these issues and more in part 2 of my interview series with Castle Pines, Colorado city manager Michael Penny. Penny, who is a founding member of the American Association of Municipal Executives, has also been a member of the ICMA since 1995. 
He has been actively involved with the ICMA credentialing process since 2013 and currently serves as the chairman of the ICMA Credentialing Advisory Board.
He believes that the credential does not hold as much value within the profession as it should.
Additionally, we explore whether Penny believes the credential is being weaponized against city managers, if the amount of experience required is excessive, and if it fairly values the military and private sector experiences of managers seeking to earn the designation.
SHOW NOTES:
Michael Penny's LinkedIn profile
Information about the ICMA Credentialing Advisory Board (CAB).
If you have questions about the credential, you can contact the CAB via email or phone at:
credentialing@icma.org
(202) 962-3504
If you want to join the American Association of Municipal Executives and becoming a founding member, register today at: https://community.aame.org/.
Deadline to become a founding member has been extended to July 25th.
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
 

Why did 29-year ICMA member Michael Penny join the AAME? | Ep. 63

Castle Pines city manager Michael Penny isn't your ordinary ICMA member. He currently serves as the chairman of the ICMA's Credentialing Advisory Board (CAB) and has been a member of the organization since 1995.
So, why did he join the American Association of Municipal Executives as a founding member and how does he see both organizations co-existing?
Penny has also been on both sides of the ICMA executive board election process. He has run for a seat and been denied the nomination and he has been on the panel that interviewed candidates.
He pushes back on my claims that the process is rigged by insiders and offers up his unique perspective.
We also talk about the James Freed defamation lawsuit and the role the membership must play in holding the organization accountable.
The Colorado manager isn't afraid to disagree with my takes and I think you are going to appreciate the different perspectives and arguments both of us bring to the table throughout this series.
We discuss these issues and many more in the first installment of this three-part series you are not going to want to miss. 
In future installments we are going to dissect the ICMA credential and its purpose, what it truly measures or signifies, and whether it has been weaponized against city managers who do not possess it.
SHOW NOTES:
Michael Penny's LinkedIn profile
Information about the ICMA Credentialing Advisory Board (CAB).
If you want to join the American Association of Municipal Executives and becoming a founding member, register today at: https://community.aame.org/.
Deadline to become a founding member has been extended to July 25th.
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
 

The AAME is Born & Signup Deadline Extended | Ep. 62

For a variety of reasons listed in this podcast, the sign up deadline to become a founding member of the American Association of Municipal Executives has been extended.
You have until midnight central on Thursday, July 25th to take action and join this historic, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
This is the last call -- so sign up here today.
We have the following membership plans:
Executive Suite CEO/CAOs
Executive Suite ACM/DCMs
Aspiring Executives
Retired City Managers (free)
Managers-in-Transition (free)
Go here to sign up: Community.AAME.org
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
 

Audio Recording: ICMA Staff Supports AAME | Ep. 61

A confidential source sent me an audio recording of ICMA West Coast Regional Director Pat Martel discussing the American Association of Municipal Executives. This discussion took place two weeks ago at the Oregon City/Count Management Association conference..
In this audio clip, Martel states that the ICMA is very much aware of the AAME, that it supports the AAME mission, and that it is perfectly acceptable for ICMA members to join AAME and other organizations.
In this episode, I talk about how many ICMA members who are supportive of my efforts have expressed an unwillingness to join the AAME. They state they fear retaliation.
And I urge the ICMA executive board to make a public statement attesting to the fact that members will not be targeted if they do join the AAME.
SHOW NOTES:
If you want to join the American Association of Municipal Executives and becoming a founding member, register today at: https://community.aame.org/.
Deadline to become a founding member is July 15.
AAME JOB BOARD:
The American Association of Municipal Executives has a free job board exclusively focused on executive and senior level local government recruitments. To post a job, go to: https://jobs.aame.org/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST:
Subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter hosted on LinkedIn. It is called the "City Manager News & Job Board" newsletter and can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/city-manager-rtrs-job-board-7164683251112992768/
If you would like to support the podcast by making a donation, please use the "Buy Me A Coffee" link.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or your preferred platform if you enjoy the show. It helps tremendously. But more importantly, refer your friends and peers to podcast through personal conversations and posts on your social media platforms.
Joe Turner's LinkedIn Page
City Manager Unfiltered YouTube Page - Subscribe Today!
Note: Page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.