Stepping Beyond the Clerk's Desk: My First ICMA Conference Experience
After 25 years in the city clerk profession, I felt a new spark—an urge to broaden my understanding of local government beyond the familiar clerk world I had known so well. A colleagued encouraged me to explore the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), suggesting it would be an excellent opportunity to connect with other leaders in municipal government.
Curious, I joined, and not long after, I attended a local workshop where someone mentioned the upcoming ICMA Annual Conference. I researched and discovered it was being held in Denver, CO. Even more exciting, I found a scholarship opportunity to attend. I applied and was awarded the scholarship, and just like that, I was on my way to the Local Government Reimagined Conference.
From the moment I arrived in Denver, I was met with warmth and friendliness—from the airport staff to the train conductor and the bus driver who dropped me off right in front of my hotel. This welcoming atmosphere continued with the hotel staff and the conference attendees, who had traveled from all over the western region.
The first person I met at the conference was Mike from Texas. When I mentioned that it was my first ICMA conference, he immediately offered to be my unofficial tour guide. He introduced me to a diverse group of attendees, and because of him, I quickly felt more comfortable and found a sense of belonging.
The sessions were insightful and offered tangible takeaways—not just for me as a city clerk but for departments across my organization. I came back with ideas to share with our IT, finance, marketing, and communications teams—a reminder that collaboration in government often begins with shared knowledge.
Over the course of three days, I had the privilege of learning and networking with some of the most passionate and pleasant public servants I've ever met. These are the people behind the scenes running our cities and counties—and they completely shattered the stereotype that government workers are disengaged or unmotivated. On the contrary, they were inspiring, energized, and deeply committed to public service.
Attending the ICMA Conference was not just an opportunity for professional development but a refreshing reminder of the possibilities within local government. It reignited my passion for service. If you've ever thought about moving beyond your current role to explore new dimensions of leadership, I highly recommend taking that first step—just as I did.
Donesia Gause, MMC, CERA
City Clerk
City Clerk Department | Riverside, CA