If you have just been elected to office in Texas, you might be wondering, “What now?” Running for office is one thing. Actually running the office itself, well, that’s another.
For that reason, we want to bring to your attention the upcoming Newly Elected City Officials’ Orientation. Sponsored by the Texas Municipal League (TML) and the Texas Association of Mayors, Councilmembers and Commissioners (TAMCC), the conference occurs twice during this summer.
The conference first runs in Waco on July 26 and 27. It then runs again on August 16 and 17 in San Antonio.
During those days, you will be able to learn about some of the mechanics of how to actually function as a publicly elected official. For instance, have you ever heard of parliamentary procedure? Do you understand how to actually implement it? The conference touches on those issues as well as matters related to ethical governance (ethics is not always intuitive!), financial oversight, staff relations, dealing with the media, and legal regulations.
The Orientation is helpful even beyond the information it communicates. It also gives you the opportunity to meet with other people facing the same issues you are. Very often, those relationships can help inform you throughout your public service career with regard to best practices, innovations and the performance of the not-so-simple day-to-day operations of a municipal body.
Public office is very often an on-the-job-training situation. Getting a quick introductory overview can help you hit the ground running in your first few days in office!
