Agenda

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Thursday, November 13

5:00 pm
Registration Opens

5:30 pm
Dinner

6:00 pm
Introduction to MAM & Attendee Introductions

Speaker: Brenda F. Moore, Mayor, Saginaw; MAM Board President

6:30 pm
The Role of the Mayor/President

Speaker: Chris Johnson, General Counsel, Michigan Municipal League

7:00 pm
Networking Break

7:15 pm
The Mayor/President and Manager Relationship

Speakers: Dana Muscott, City Manager, Bay City
Raylon Leaks-May, Mayor, Ferndale

7:45 pm
Working with the Media/Media Relations

Speaker: Josh Hovey, APR, Partner, Bellwether Public Relations

This session will help chief elected officials understand the media, offer tips and tricks to be prepared when a reporter calls, and provide examples of both dos and don’ts when it comes to engaging with the media.

8:45 pm
Adjourn

Friday, November 14

8:30 am
Registration Opens & Networking Breakfast

9:00 am
Open Meetings Act, Ethics, & Other Policies

Speaker: Chris Johnson, General Counsel, Michigan Municipal League

You get to run the meetings. The Open Meetings Act is not just a picky impediment to running the meeting. It is the law and has serious consequences if violated. Look at many local communities in Michigan and see where violating ethical conduct is leading to serious charges. Avoid the problems before they become problems.

9:45 am
Running the Meeting

Speaker: Bob Slattery, Parliamentarian, Michigan Municipal League

Do your meetings run smoothly? Is your council or board debating issues until late into the night? By using parliamentary procedure, mayors/village presidents can gain control and have more productive meetings. This session focuses on council meetings, with all the problems and interruptions that can complicate them. Quorums and types of motions will be explained and demonstrated. Attendees will also learn about the basic principles and objectives of parliamentary procedure, amendments, handling motions, debate, voting requirements, and agendas.

10:45 am
Networking Break

11:00 am
Mayor/President Panel Discussion

Speakers: Jim Rynberg, Mayor, Fremont
Bridget Dean, Mayor, Berkley; MAM Board Member
Brenda F. Moore, Mayor, Saginaw; MAM President

A panel of mayors will discuss their paths to elected office and share what has surprised them about their roles, what they wish they had known before taking office, lessons they have learned, advice for new mayors/village presidents, and more.

12 p.m.
Networking Lunch

12:30 pm
A.I., Access, and the Future of Governance: Closing the Tech Gap in Communities

Speakers: Emmie Musser, Future of Work Strategist, TechSmith

Artificial intelligence touches everything now, and governments are making policy about (and with) it as we speak. How can communities harness A.I. to improve lives, expand access, and close systemic gaps—rather than deepen them? This session will spotlight innovation and equity in a compelling and future-focused way. Learn from TechSmith about their groundbreaking initiatives and how to make technology decisions that are thoughtful, intentional, and centered on what is most important: people. The future is already here—learn how you can shape it.

1:30 pm
Networking Break

1:45 pm
First Amendment Auditors

Speaker: Charles L. Bogren, Associate, Plunkett Cooney PC

Communities across Michigan are being “tested” by First Amendment “auditors” engaging in “citizen journalism”—testing their constitutional right to record in a public space.

3:00 pm
Networking Break

3:15 pm
Campaign Problems to Avoid

Speaker: Chris Johnson, General Counsel, Michigan Municipal League

I’m already elected, nothing more to worry about, right? Wrong! Several mayors and village presidents in Michigan have lost their jobs by not paying attention to the small details. This session will offer insight into election and campaign requirements for chief elected official even after you have taken office.

3:30 pm
Conducting Marriage Ceremonies

Speaker: Chris Johnson, General Counsel, Michigan Municipal League

This is one of the fun parts of the job for mayors. Chris Johnson will break down the process with the Michigan Municipal League’s guide on marriage ceremonies.

3:45 pm
Closing Remarks & Program Evaluations

4:00 pm
Adjourn