IMM to change its name to Local Government Managers Australia
The Institute of Municipal Management’s 19th National Congress and Expo was staged in Melbourne on 28-31 May. This was the first time this event has been held outside the national capital.
Using the theme, ‘Interactive 2000: Strategies for a New Era’, newly elected Federal President, Rob Noble, told delegates that, in tune with a new era, the Institute will change its title to Local Government Managers Australia from 1 January 2001.
“The word ‘Institute’ no longer represents what we are about,” Rob Noble said.
Describing the Congress as ‘the best conference on the Local Government calendar’, he said this year’s event has built on the success of the streamed program introduced last year, with sessions categorised as Governance, Management and Interactive.
In welcoming delegates to Melbourne from across Australia, Rob Noble also noted that this year international guests included Kinsley Sampson, President, International City/County Managers Association, USA; Sandy Blair, President, Society Of Local Authority Chief Executives, UK; Darryl Griffin, President, New Zealand Society of Local Government Managers; and Dave Wilken, President, Institute of Local Government Management of South Africa.
Elected last year, Kinsley Sampson, General Manager of New Plymouth Council in New Zealand, is the first non American President in the ICMA’s 85 year history.
During the session Key Issues Confronting Local Government Overseas, each of the above Presidents presented an overview of changes taking place within their respective nations.
Sandy Blair said this positive spirit of cooperation and mutual support across the Associations is creating a global network for learning and advancement.
In opening the Congress, Federal Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, Senator Ian Macdonald, said that this is a most significant and useful conference, that builds on the professionalism of the Institute and its members.
“You meet in the first year of this new millennium where changes are occurring faster and faster,” the Minister said.
“People are turning to Local Government for security and certainty, including the creation of new strategies for new times.
“The challenge for all of us in government is to use our resources smarter, and help our constituents understand the decisions we make.”
Keynote speaker, marketing guru, Bob Pritchard, spoke on the topic ‘Marketing Your Community’.
He said that Local Government does a fantastic job but this is not always marketed well or appreciated.
“You are marketing in a highly cluttered world,” he said. “With e commerce, for example, we are not sure how far this will go, so it is difficult to get your message across.
“What is clear is you must be the ultimate customer service organisation. This is far more important than for any other business.
“You constituents are stuck with you, and you with them. You must be communicating what you are doing.”
He said that learning to better market yourself is critical for every business and ‘politics’ is no different.
“People change very quickly so it is critical that you are continually finding out what your residents think about you,” he said. “Your staff are talking to people every day, getting this information. What you do with this is vital.
“Customers do not care about you, they only care about themselves. Talk to your ratepayers about ‘them and their needs’ not you.”
He urged delegates to make people proud of their Council, to build up a relationship so residents trust their Council and feel it is giving them great service.
“You must give people good information about services and how these will benefit them,” Bob Pritchard said. “Good service will reverberate through the community.”
He urged Councils to continually seek out and learn new ideas, particularly using the internet to find out what other Councils are doing and studying those who have the answers.
