A Career in Local Government:

Is It Still “Worth It”?Kevin C. Duggan

ICMA West Coast Regional Director

“Gloom and Doom?”

Labor Strife/Conflict

Public Distrust/”Tea Party”

Public PensionControversy

More Demands/Fewer Resources

Budget Cutting

Service Reductions

Layoffs

“The Great Recession”

“The New Normal”

Fewer Entry and Promotional Opportunities

YES, BUT………

Does “Misery Love Company”?

“Government is Not Optional”

If it Really is the “New Normal” it will eventually

become “Normal”

The Value of Meaning and Purpose

Feelings of Meaning and Social Connection Undergird

Happiness—Michael Norton: Harvard

Researcher on The Psychology of Happiness

Public Service Provides a Clear Connection Between an Individuals contribution and a Public Benefit

Bob O’Neill: The Coming Decade in Local Government

• Local Governments are Consistently Rated Most Favorably by Citizens.

• Despite Anti-Tax Rhetoric—Nearly 70% of Local Initiatives Approved.

• Most People Want to Live In A Quality Community With Great Services.

• Easier to Communicate to Constituents What They are Paying For.

• Easier to Engage Citizens/Taxpayers in Priority Setting

Some Suggestions:

“Connect the Dots” Between Your Work

and the Work of Your Organization and the Quality of Life in Your

Community

• Know Your Story

• Believe Your Story

• Tell Your Story

Know Your Audiences and Consistently Tell Your Organization’s Story

Communicate to Every Employee Their Role in Communicating the Meaning and

Value of the Work of the Organization

Adam Davis: DHM Research--Portland

• Show Openness to Change/Reform• Demonstrate Your Ability to Respond to

Community Priorities• Making Friends One Customer at a Time• “Tell Stories” of How Your Government is

Improving the Community/Citizens Lives• Demonstrate Accountability and

Transparency

Some Personal Coping Strategies

Keep EVERYTHING in Perspective

Take Career Risks (But For the Right Reasons)

It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Maintain Balance:Attitude; Time; Life

“We can’t always control what happens to us, but we do control how we respond”

It’s Only “Business”, Don’t Take It Personally (or make it

personal)

”SOMETIMES LIFE HITS YOU IN THE HEAD WITH A BRICK. DON’T LOSE FAITH. I’M CONVINCED THAT THE ONLY THING THAT KEPT ME GOING WAS THAT I LOVED WHAT I DID. YOU’VE GOT TO FIND WHAT YOU LOVE…..YOUR WORK IS GOING TO FILL A LARGE PART OF YOUR LIFE, AND THE ONLY WAY TO BE TRULY SATISFIED IS TO DO WHAT YOU BELIEVE IS GREAT WORK. AND THE ONLY WAY TO DO GREAT WORK IS TO LOVE WHAT YOU DO. IF YOU HAVEN’T FOUND IT YET, KEEP LOOKING. DON’T SETTLE.”

“Showing Up is 90% of Success”

“LIFE, WELL RUN”

ICMA’s Campaign to Explain and Promote the Value of

Professional Local Government Management