Need to fill a position?

Join us on March 18 at noon for our MML Municipal Careers Job Board Lunch and Learn webinar.

Secure your hotel accommodations today for the annual MML Summer Conference, June 22-25, in Ocean City, Maryland. The League has contracted discounted room rates at sixteen local hotels. Several including the Aloft, Hilton Suites, Holiday Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn Oceanfront, and the Tru by Hilton have exceeded the 80% sold mark. 

Utilize the Conference Direct hotel portal to make your reservations (no additional fees for this service). All reservation-related details, including real time availability, room types, and direct customer support, may be found within the portal. If your preferred room night has been taken, there is even a wait list option. MMLCON25 will offer another jam-packed program Sunday through Wednesday. Be sure you have your spot secured. 

The National Civic League is thrilled to announce that applications are open for the 2025 All-America City Award. Since 1949, this prestigious award has celebrated communities that harness civic engagement, collaboration, inclusivity, and innovation to address local challenges.

This year’s theme, "Strengthening Environmental Sustainability through Inclusive Community Engagement," highlights communities committed to environmental sustainability. The League is looking for communities that actively involve residents, businesses, and government stakeholders in efforts to combat climate change and enhance community well-being.

The Winter edition of the National Civic Review explores the dynamic intersection of civic engagement, democracy, and community well-being. This issue highlights how collaboration and citizen-led initiatives are reshaping public safety and addressing homelessness through innovative, local solutions that engage diverse stakeholders. We also spotlight the growing movement of participatory governance, where citizens are stepping in to tackle pressing issues that have long been neglected or inadequately addressed by traditional channels.

Build Connections at NLC's Congressional City Conference 2025

Be part of the coalition of 3,000+ local leaders at NLC’s Congressional City Conference (CCC), advocating for local priorities. Meet federal officials and connect with the new Administration and Members of Congress to strengthen local-federal partnerships and learn policy priorities and opportunities for local governments.

A Summit to Envision Our Cities’ Futures with Today’s Leading Mayors on Housing  

The Moment for Housing is Now - National League of Cities, is happening Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. in person at Georgetown University in Washington DC. We have a great line-up.  There is no registration fee with this event and breakfast and lunch are included along with a networking reception.

Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, DC and the National League of Cities (NLC) invite you to join us for a critical conversation on the state of housing supply in America’s cities.  

The MML Annual Summer Conference is June 22-25, 2025. Save the dates below and look for more details to come.

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Hosted by the Maryland Forestry Foundation, the next installment of the Forestry Policy Third Thursday virtual webinars series will be held December 19, 1 - 2 p.m.

The December webinar is focused on Conservation by Design in Land Use Planning which is a specific strategy to implement the land discussed in the last webinar. JOIN US!

The National Civic League is now accepting applications for the 2025 All-America City Award. The theme for 2025 is “Strengthening Environmental Sustainability through Inclusive Community Engagement.” The League is seeking communities that actively engage residents, businesses, and government stakeholders in initiatives to promote environmental sustainability and strengthen community resilience.

Apply to join the nine communities from Maryland that have won the All-America City Award! You can view the full list of past recipients here. 

Graduates of the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance can take Academy Graduate classes as they are offered.  Our next iteration will be offered on Friday, January 31, 2025 at the Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT) headquarters in Hanover, MD from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.  

The topic is:  Managing the Strategic Cybersecurity Challenge and the instructor is Associate Professor Charlie Harry from the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland.  Even if you are not an IT expert or in charge of your technical or policy changes, the class will be taught so that whatever you do for your municipality or county, you will benefit from this understanding and be able to return to your workplace with new knowledge and a framework to think about with your team.  Please see the following details:

Cybersecurity Grad Class Session Description
Graduate Class Enrollment Registration Form

You must be a graduate of the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance to participate in this course. Please send in your enrollment form and payment of $125, which includes materials and lunch, as soon as possible. Attendance is limited.

For additional information, contact Academy Registrar Elizabeth Hinson at [email protected].

Apply now for the Youth and Community Violence Prevention Action Teams (VPAT) program. Through this funding and technical assistance opportunity, NACCHO will provide up to $50,000 each for a maximum of 6 awardee teams. The National Association of County Health Officials (NACCHO), The National League of Cities (NLC), and other partners will provide technical assistance.

This funding opportunity is open to jurisdictions with high rates of youth and community violence – particularly firearm homicide – disproportionately affecting communities of color, looking to support multisector violence prevention efforts by forming Youth and Community Violence Prevention Action Teams.

The Fall edition of the National Civic Review focuses on strengthening democracy, and addressing this challenge through various approaches. It explores scaling and spreading effective local practices, enhancing inclusivity and participation, and tackling issues related to community health and public safety.

This edition was made possible with the support of The Kettering Foundation.

The online edition of the Review is now open access. You can read it here.

Only seven days are left to join a record number 84 municipalities and their officials at this year's Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference. The Fall Conference is known to draw our most engaged members and this year's line up will a deliver dynamic 40+ sessions and workshops revolved around relevant issues to help Maryland's municipalities serve their more than two million residents.

Details

The Maryland 250 Commission is offering $500 mini-grants to municipalities on a rolling basis. This is a great opportunity to help host meetings and events in your communities associated with civic engagement - which many of you all are already doing.

"The MD Two Fifty Commission is offering $500 grants to fund the launch of short-term (generally not more than 3-months) free educational programs offered by counties and municipalities for residents to learn how their local government works, get to know their local elected and staff officials, and learn about opportunities for citizen engagement."

These grants are accepted on a rolling deadline and will be reviewed starting this week. No applications have been received from Prince George's County, so please consider applying.

More information here: Grants & Applications | MD Two Fifty (maryland.gov).

Plan to join the National League of Cities (NLC) in Tampa Bay for City Summit and NLC’s 100th anniversary celebration November 13-16, 2024. Be part of the most dynamic conference for municipal staff and officials. Connect with local leaders from across the country, policy experts, and industry professionals to gain knowledge and expand your network.

Packed with the latest trends and valuable connections, the Centennial City Summit is an epic celebration of strengthening cities, towns, and villages from 1924 to 2024. 

In observance of America’s 250th anniversary, The Maryland Two Fifty Commission is looking back at our state’s contributions to American history through the eyes and experiences of fellow Marylanders. This commemoration is for every one of us, from the Chesapeake Bay to the mountain peaks in the west. Counties and municipalities are eligible to apply for any of the 3 grant programs, and geographic spread of grantees is a priority:

• Citizen academy grants of $500 for county and municipal citizen academies for short term programs to educate and engage citizens
• MD Two Fifty Fellows paid internship grants with mentor stipend for up to $7,500
• Inclusive History grants for programs, projects, events, or research, up to $4,000

Details and applications can be found on the MD 250 website. Virtual information sessions are scheduled for Thursday, September 26, at 1:00 pm, for the MD Two Fifty Fellows grant program, and on Friday, September 27 at 11:00 am, for the MD Two Fifty Citizen Academy grant program. The virtual information sessions for the Inclusive History grant program will take place in late October.  All information will be posted on the MD 250 website and social media. 

Today’s young people are the leaders, innovators, and thinkers who will shape the next 250 years — and it’s important their voices are heard as we commemorate this historic milestone.

America’s Field Trip is a contest that invites students across the country in grades 3–12 to be part of America’s 250th anniversary by sharing their perspectives on what America means to them — with the opportunity to earn an unforgettable field trip experience at some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks.

Students are asked to submit writing or original artwork in response to the contest’s prompt: “What does America mean to you?”

America250 America's Field Trip round 2 launched September 16, 2024. Earlier this year in round 1, of 150 national winners, 9 were Maryland students. Maryland winners celebrated at a recognition ceremony at the Maryland State Fair.