10 things we learned at Annual Conference

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our first-ever online Annual Conference. While we couldn’t be together in person, we still found meaningful ways to connect with each other during networking sessions and breakouts. Here are 10 things cities learned during Annual Conference:

1. The AWC Business Meeting carried on successfully in a live online format! Elected officials were ready and willing to roll up their pajama sleeves and get to work. Business moved as usual with lots of robust input from members and a positive foot forward for AWC. Congratulations to the newly elected AWC Board officers and directors!

2. It’s important that you reach out to legislators right now to establish a connection and let them know how your city is faring. They’ll remember that effort when you reach out during crunch time. View our city legislative priorities for a potential special legislative session.

3. In these uncertain times, cities feel wary of the future and elected officials are looking to each other for guidance and understanding. Whether it’s worrying about revenue losses, the next wave of COVID-19 cases, or transportation and infrastructure funding, tensions are high – but together cities are ready to take on whatever comes their way.

4. When it comes to holding difficult conversations around race and equity, make sure you are listening – even when what you’re hearing makes you feel uncomfortable or defensive.

5. NLC has ideas for helping to engage your community in those difficult race and equity conversations. They also can help with ideas for reviewing policy and budget decisions through an equity lens.

6. The COVID-19 pandemic has radically altered our state and local economies – most local governments are strategically amending their budgets and planning for prolonged revenue shortfalls. Local leaders are implementing a series of innovative solutions to address the structural revenue shortfall exacerbated by the pandemic.

7. Cities (particularly code and first-class cities) should always remember that they have broad authority to enact local laws and regulations, so long as they don’t conflict with state laws. This includes the robust authority to enact taxes and declare an emergency at the local level.

8. Advocacy is a year-round job, but it doesn’t need to be intimidating. AWC provides great resources to demystify the process and help all city officials become effective advocates for their communities.

9. During the COVID-19 pandemic, city leaders took swift action to support residents and businesses in their communities. These actions included trying new programs, opening streets to recreation, connecting at-risk youth with mentors, and finding new ways to allow businesses to operate.

10. Cities and towns should reach out to neighboring jurisdictions to share information and help each other work through this ongoing crisis. Working together as city leaders will help your communities emerge from this crisis stronger and more resilient than ever.

Missed out on Annual Conference this year? It’s not too late! You can still register to watch or listen to all the sessions online and earn your 10 CML credits through the end of the year. Check out the lineup for more than a dozen offerings to watch at your convenience.