Attention Academy for Excellence in Local Governance graduates: This spring and summer the Academy will be offering not one, but two, Academy graduate classes.

The first takes place on Friday, May 17 and will provide an overview on How to Assess your Local Government’s Fiscal Risks. Led by University of Maryland School of Public Policy Assistant Professor Thomas Luke Spreen, the class will introduce participants to a framework for evaluating a local government's resiliency through the use of financial metrics.  Participants will also learn how to identify and institute policy changes that build fiscal resiliency, along with strategies to navigate unexpected financial challenges. To register for this class, contact Academy Registrar Elizabeth Hinson at [email protected].

Hear about the newest features to our largest professional development event, first hand. Join our leadership and executive team, on March 28 at noon, for a sneak peek into what's ahead at MML's summer conference and how the event is evolving to meet the ever changing needs of Maryland's local officials.

Lunch and Learn Registration

 

There's still time to encourage your local fourth grade classes to take part in the League's oldest and most popular ambassador program. Our "If I Were Mayor" essay contest has successfully educated 55,000+ Maryland students on the role of the Mayor and how local government works. Help students from your community participate in this fun civics exercise, by encouraging them to submit an essay.

 

Mark your calendar for Thursday, May 2nd, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Annapolis, MD, for an all day Smart Growth Summit.The event will be led by the National Center for Smart Growth in partnership with Maryland Department of Planning, Maryland Municipal League, and Maryland Association of Counties.

To finalize the exact amounts that the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) Committee should allocate for each grant program, the Committee is seeking eligible entities' responses to whether they would like to sign up for the offered programs. The deadline to respond to this survey is: Friday, March 22nd, 2024.

Responding to this survey is imperative so that the SLCGP Committee can make final determinations on the allocation of precise dollar amounts for each program. 

Call for Grant Proposals - $140 Million Available for National Coastal Resilience Fund 2024

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) will award approximately $140 million in grants to create and restore natural systems to increase protection for communities from current and future coastal hazards and improve habitats for fish and wildlife species.  The goal is to enhance protection for coastal communities from the impacts of storms, floods, and other natural coastal hazards and to improve habitats for fish and wildlife.  The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will make investments in planning, design, and implementation of natural and nature-based solutions.

The Municipal Technical Assistance Program is hosting a roundtable on Maryland ARPA Spending Trends and Success Stories on February 27th from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EST. This roundtable-style webinar will review municipal 2023 ARPA spending trends and invite towns to share examples of ARPA-funded projects. ARPA funding has offered municipal leaders a significant opportunity to carry out projects and initiatives with a wide-ranging impact. And keep in mind that all ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) must be obligated by December 31, 2024.

If your town is still determining how best to apply this critical federal funding before the obligation deadline later this year, we welcome your participation! Click here to register

The upcoming 2024 Public Leaders for Inclusion Council is now accepting applications. Dynamic leaders in government are invited to be a part of this transformative experience! The Council, known for bringing together visionaries committed to fostering inclusive governance, is set to convene again.

This is your opportunity to join a prestigious cohort of leaders dedicated to driving positive change across diverse communities.

The Public Leaders for Inclusion Council (PLC) is a leadership development program that equips public (municipal, county, and State) servants in elected, appointed, and professional positions to explore practices and policies that challenge anti-Muslim racism and other forms of hate while building inclusion and social resilience in their communities.

Diverse Perspectives Wanted: We encourage leaders from various backgrounds and regions to apply. The council's strength lies in its members' diversity, each contributing a unique perspective to the collective mission of promoting inclusivity in public leadership.

Why Apply?

• Network with like-minded leaders from across the nation.
• Collaborate on innovative solutions for inclusive governance.
• Showcase your expertise and contribute to meaningful change.

Council details and application form and criteria may be found on the America Indivisible website:

Apply before the March 25 deadline.

MML is excited to share the Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge with you.  The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and MML Strategic Partner, Comcast Corporation recently announced a new grant award program to support the launch and expansion of local workforce programs designed to grow college and career readiness, close the digital skills gap, advance economic mobility, and lay the foundation for generational wealth in under-resourced communities.  

Mayors know firsthand the importance of digital training and access to the knowledge needed to prepare underserved communities for more equitable and inclusive jobs. They support the growth and development of a more highly skilled workforce and recognize that everyone benefits when the public sector partners with nonprofits and the private sector to connect and leverage vital resources to up-skill workers.

The Maryland Municipal League’s Hall of Fame honors current or former municipal officials (living or deceased) that have served 20 years or more as a municipal elected official. Submissions are now open for those eligible elected officials to join the 272 municipal Hall of Famers.

Eligible officials are inducted into the Hall of Fame and honored among your colleagues at MML's 2024 summer conference in Ocean City. 

The National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) Maryland State Chapter President Dylan O. Galloway, invites you to join him at the NFBPA Forum, being held in Baltimore, April 3 - 7, 2024. The event promises to be an invaluable opportunity for professional growth, networking, and collaboration. A special regional rate for Maryland residents has been made available. Visit the NFBPA webpage for more information and to register.

FORUM 2024 is a unique conference experience where public administrators professionals gather from across the country gather to exchange knowledge, resources, strategies, and solutions. Over 4 days of learning, growing, and finding inspiration, attendees are provided with support in their daily responsibilities as leaders in their workforce and communities. Whether you’re looking to learn about how other public administrators are responding to the public health crisis or the newest best practices for managing teams, FORUM 2024 has something for every public service professional.

Mark your calendars, registration for the 2024 Summer Conference is just around the corner. Join us in Ocean City for a transformative experience, connecting with Maryland's local government leaders and staff. Get ready for insightful sessions, workshops, and panels led by industry experts and state officials. Let's innovate together for the future of our communities. See you there!

 

In-Person Workshops - Bike and Pedestrian Accessibility and Safety

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration is hosting five in-person workshops to provide information on grant opportunities focused on improving bicycle and pedestrian accessibility and safety throughout the state.

The State of Maryland has significant connections to the founding of our Nation, and chances are that your city or town has physical structures that mark “What Happened Here on This Date.” As we countdown to 2026 and the Country’s 250^th Anniversary, the National Park Service under the U.S. Department of the Interior has announced the Semi-quincentennial Grant Program.

Open to local governments, this opportunity provides funds for physical preservation of a historic site, to include:

Build Connections at NLC's Congressional City Conference.

Be part of the coalition of 2000+ local leaders at NLC’s Congressional
City Conference advocating for local priorities. Meet and hear directly
from federal officials about current and upcoming funding opportunities
available to your city, town, or village.

The fuel of the "If I were Mayor" essay contest is our volunteer readers.  Each year dozens of volunteers help read nearly 3,000 essays, narrowing them down to only 11 winners. The window is now open for individuals interested in joining this year's virtual reading day, scheduled for March 19 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Reading Volunteer Registration