Training Local Leaders
C
CM provides an opportunity for local officials to gather and collaborate. We provide a variety of events and training opportunities. The preeminent is our Annual Convention and Exposition. This event brings together more than 1,000 local government officials and over 150 companies and organizations for two days of educational workshops, collaborative discussions, and networking opportunities. In 2018, CCM’s convention was the host of the final gubernatorial debate, which placed a big spotlight on municipal issues during the campaign. The following year, CCM hosted a panel discussion highlighting experts from Colorado and Massachusetts who provided the municipal perspective and considerations that need to be explored if Connecticut enacts recreational marijuana. Subsequent conventions will highlight other important topics and hopefully future campaign debates.
workshops throughout the year on a variety of topics and in various locations throughout the State. In 2019, over free 60 trainings were held, which served 2,400 municipal officials. The topics include: cyber security, sexual harassment, municipal budgets, Excel 101, Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulations, How to be an Effective Supervisor, Ethics, How to Run Legal and Effective Public meetings, and much more. In 2020 CCM has adapted to the dynamics of society and continued to provide these trainings to local leaders albeit through virtual platforms. Municipal leaders share the desire to serve their municipality. Some come from within government, some come from business, and others are life-long residents with a vision for their hometown. Being a local elected official is a lot to take on, often times needing to have expertise on a myriad of issues. With this in mind, CCM created the Certified Connecticut Municipal Official (CCMO). The CCMO program provides hands-on training that will help first-time CEOs or career municipal officials, learn, bring new information to their jobs, and enhance their abilities to serve their town or city. Since its inception in 2018, the number of participants per year has grown from 29 to 82 new participants in the CCMO program for this year. In 2019, 66 individuals graduated from the CCMO program. In 2018, which was the first graduation ceremony, there were 10 graduates.
CCM also partners with various state agencies in providing the only statewide event regarding emergency management issues. Held each spring, the Emergency Management Symposium offers a full day of informative workshops and interactive discussions on important issues. This is an ideal event for products and topics to be highlighted regarding a variety of security, disaster response and public health issues. Along with these are annual events, CCM conducts
11 CCM Candidate Bulletin
