HCP Launched Second Round of Ambassadors for Professional Management Effort

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (November 13, 2015) Throughout the past nine months, HCP crafted and fielded an effort on behalf of the FCCMA—the Florida City and County Management Association—to raise awareness among key stakeholder groups of the value and importance of professional management in local government. Today, the next round of Ambassadors was announced and participated in an orientation to get them up to speed on the effort and how they can support.

The program stemmed from an effort by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) who developed a national campaign titled, Life, Well Run. This came about following the findings from a Harris Interactive Poll that while one-third of citizens know that city managers oversee the day-to-day operations of their community, only five percent can describe what a manager does or their important role in shaping that community.

The ICMA prompted state professional management associations to develop ways of communicating the Life, Well Run message to their constituents. In response, the FCCMA formed a taskforce to address the need. Preliminary research by HCP pinpointed efforts underway by other states and interviews revealed best practices. Recommendations from other programs underway in conjunction with the ICMA ultimately led to the creation of the Florida Ambassador Program, named Professional Management Matters.

In February, HCP named the first round of Ambassadors, designated to roll out the program in the Central-West region of the state. Today, the second round of Ambassadors were “tapped” and they went through a half-day orientation session hosted at the FCCMA’s Orlando office. Those representing Central-East represent the Florida municipalities of:

• City of Sanford
• City of Stuart
• City of Ormond Beach
• Lucie County
• City of South Daytona

The team also includes two retired professional managers who are ICMA Senior Advisors for the state of Florida.

HCP’s team is actively ramping up a schedule of speaking engagements for the program’s Ambassadors with Public Administration programs, elected officials and civic groups. For more information on the program, to sign up to become an Ambassador or request for an Ambassador to speak to your company or association, please visit www.lifewellruninflorida.org.