Committees

Membership Services

• Kyle Kridler, Co-Chair
• Jackie Thiel Co-Chair

The Membership Committee welcomes and shares information with new members and works to strengthen communications among the general membership. The focus of this committee is to recruit and retain members, ensure that membership is as inclusive as possible, set due structures, and engage membership throughout the year.

Committee activities include:

• Conducting Member Survey to ascertain Association priorities, summarizing results and formulating recommendations to the OCMA Board
• Monitoring membership communications and suggest improvements to the Secretariat
• Recommending updates to the membership application and renewal process
• Managing the OCMA Annual Awards program
• Incorporating diversity and inclusion strategies to prioritize inclusive membership and a sense of belonging in the profession

Support of the Profession

• Philip Turske, Co-Chair
• Corey Spackey, Co-Chair

The Support of the Profession Committee develops initiatives to retain and promote the use of professional local government managers and the council-manager form of government in Ohio. The committee implements strategies to advance professional local government efforts, including providing technical assistance to communities, educating the public on the benefits of professional management, and developing, reviewing, and maintaining professional standards for local administrators.

Committee activities include:

• Supporting communities considering a change in government
• Developing resources and publications that support local government managers
• Educating the public on the benefits of professional management through statewide communications campaigns, outreach, and public programming
• Develop, review, and maintain professional standards by overseeing ethics training, building professionalism, and promoting ICMA Credentialing
• Manage the Tracy G. Williams Internship Program
• Incorporating diversity and inclusion strategies to support members and build a sense of belonging in the profession

Professional Development

• Vacant, Co-Chair
• Vacant, Co-Chair

The Professional Development Committee identifies professional development and educational needs of the members, assists in the design of conferences and events, and promotes training opportunities for members. The focus of this committee is creating value for OCMA members, through support of professional growth at all career stages, networking opportunities, and revenue generation for the Association.

Committee activities include:

• Overseeing the general professional development strategy for the Association
• Creating continuing education and training opportunities for members at all career stages
• Schedule networking opportunities for members across the state
• Supporting the OCMA Annual Conference Team in organizing the Annual Conference
• Assisting with OCMA sponsorship efforts
• Incorporating diversity and inclusion strategies to enhance educational opportunities for members

Student Development

• Mariah Vogelgesang, Co-Chair
• Michele Boni, Co-Chair

The Student Development Committee works to develop programs, local leadership development opportunities and information designed to attract and support students interested in the local government profession.  This Committee was previously known as the Next Generation Committee. 

Committee activities include:

• Working with the Membership Committee to recruit and retain student members
• Identifying intern sites among OCMA members communities and communicating internship opportunities to students
• Partnering with ICMA Student Chapters to build awareness of local government as a career
• Establishing a direct relationship with colleges and universities by appointing regional liaisons with MPA programs
• Collaborating with the Professional Development Committee to incorporate student activities into the Association’s events and activities
• Incorporating diversity and inclusion strategies to increase student participation and support a sense of belonging in the profession

OCMA Annual Conference Team

• Daryl Hennessy, Co-Chair
• Karen Graves, Co-Chair

The OCMA Annual Conference Team is responsible for coordinating the Annual Conference each Winter and developing a program of activities that address member needs. Each year, a conference team will be activated that includes co-chairs, a liaison from each OCMA standing committee, and members of the host community.

Committee activities include:

• Creating a theme for the annual conference and designing the program agenda
• Identifying session topics and presenters
• Supporting the solicitation and involvement of conference sponsors
• Deciding conference activations and social activities
• Communicating conference details to members and the public
• Developing an evaluation strategy for the event to inform future event planning