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I was supposed to be in two places this week - MACo in Ocean City as Secretary, and DNC in Austin as Maryland Democratic Party Chair. I chose MACo and assigned a proxy to the DNC.
Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) does an extraordinary job of organizing an annual summer conference that attracts 3000 registrants and probably just as many who show up only for the receptions.
I’ve written about MACo before, because it’s an organization that I value and respect, a lot. It’s a convenor, an informer, and an advocate. It’s the people of county governments, and it’s truly bipartisan.
The elected county leaders serve on the board of directors, but there are MACo affiliate groups for administrators, attorneys, budget and finance, corrections, economic development, emergency managers, engineers, environmental health, health, human resources, human services, information technology, parks and recreation, planners, and PIOs and communications professionals.
There’s a diversity caucus, a large county coalition, a rural county coalition, and women of MACo.
The MACo staff of twelve does it all - the conferences, the research, the reports, the lobbying, and the multi-platform dissemination of information.
In partnership with the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, Maryland Municipal League, and Local Government Insurance Trust, MACo offers the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance. By completing eight core classes and six electives, any county appointed or elected official can become certified.
The summer conference this year has 55 sessions, 110 speakers, and a trade show with 350 vendors. I didn’t get to all of that, but for most of us, the greatest value is the people who attend. Whether you’re trying to move legislation, fund projects, or build a coalition, it’s a whole lot of big fish to go after in a small pond.
Some folks identify their targets, find them, and do their business. Others mostly hang with their friends. I mix it up, but somehow, when I look back over the three days of networking, I always conclude that MACo is the right pond, even when you’re there as a lame duck!
Until next week…