Registration Deadline: Sunday, March 1, 2026 

The Maine Municipal Association is pleased to announce a new professional development opportunity launching in Spring 2026: Municipal Leadership Essentials, a five-session, in-person course designed for new and aspiring municipal leaders. 

Registration is now open for this new program. The registration fee includes the LPI 360® leadership assessment and required materials; breakfast and lunch for all session days; and all workshops.  Please read this entire description as there is required pre-work, required attendance at all five sessions, and a minimum number of participants for the program to run. Contact Peter Osborne, MMA director of educational services, at posborne@memun.org or 207-623-8428 x2390 with any questions about this program or its requirements. 

IMPORTANT NOTICES ABOUT THIS PROGRAM: 

• PRE-WORK AND REGISTRATION DEADLINE: The core of the program is a 360-degree leadership assessment that must be completed by the participant and six or more outside observers in the two weeks preceding the first session. To facilitate the assessment in a timely manner, the registration deadline is Sunday, March 1, 2026.  

• SESSION DATES AND LOCATION: There are five required in-person sessions as part of the program and participants are expected to participate in all five sessions. All sessions will take place from 9 am – 5 pm at the MMA facility in Augusta on the following dates: 

o  Monday, March 16, 2026 

o  Monday, March 30, 2026 

o  Monday, April 13, 2026 

o  Thursday, April 30, 2026  

o  Monday, May 11, 2026 

• MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: The program will only run if there is a minimum number of 15 registrants by Sunday, March 1. If the threshold is not met, the program will be canceled and full refunds issued to all registrants by Monday, March 2. There is a maximum number of 30 registrants.  

PROGRAM OVERVIEW: 

Municipal Leadership Essentials is a cohort-based program for new and aspiring municipal leaders designed to support them in: 

• Assessing and strengthening core leadership competencies aligned with individual professional goals 

• Building essential municipal leadership skills in people management, change management, and financial decision-making 

• Learning alongside peers through case studies, group activities, and guided discussion with experienced municipal leaders 

At the heart of the program is The Leadership Challenge Workshop, featuring the LPI 360® leadership assessment. Through the assessment and workshop, participants will explore The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, gain insight into their leadership strengths and growth areas, and create personalized development plans they can apply immediately on the job. Since it is a 360-degree assessment, it includes a self-assessment as well as assessments by six or more outside observers in the two weeks preceding the first session.  

The Leadership Challenge Workshop is complemented by half-day workshops on the following topics: 

Leading and Managing People (Sophie Wilson and Rich Cromwell) 

• Employee Engagement and Retention: During this section we will explore how defining your organization’s purpose, values, and expectations contribute to enhancing employee engagement, resulting in improved retention.  We will touch upon how defining purpose, values, and expectations can impact such things as: collaboration; understanding of expectations; respectfulness; professional development; and future growth and stability.  

• Due Process: During this section we will provide information regarding the necessary steps that a public employer must follow when taking disciplinary action as well as best practices when addressing personnel matters.  This will include such topics as: investigation basics; just cause; Loudermill hearings; Garrity rights; Weingarten rights; and types of discipline. 

• Managing a Unionized Workforce: During this section we dispel some myths of union vs. non-union workforces by reviewing the similarities in how to manage through personnel matters. 

 Navigating Change (Danielle Abbott) 

This workshop delves into the fundamental principles of change leadership, emphasizing the role of leaders in not only adapting to change themselves but also orchestrating a smooth transition for their teams. Participants will explore various aspects of organizational change, effective change leadership models, and how to overcome challenges and barriers. 

Financial Decision-Making (Dr. Gwen Bedell Gadbois) 

By the end of this workshop, new and aspiring municipal leaders will be able to: 

• Explain the foundational concepts of municipal finance, including major revenue sources, expenditure categories, collective bargaining, fund structures, the annual budget cycle, including balanced budget requirements, and community participation. 

• Understand the primary financial statements, such as budget summaries, interim financial statements, annual audited financial statements, and capital plans used by municipal leaders to communicate results. 

• Apply key performance indicator ratio analysis to support decision-making, including benchmark financial metrics that can be used to illustrate operational outcomes and the most effective ways to convey these findings to interested parties. 

 Additionally, participants will: 

• Develop personal leadership development plans based on their LPI 360® assessment results and their personal career goals, and get support and feedback from their peers on their leadership development plan 

• Collaborate with other participants on municipal leadership case study challenges, culminating in a presentation of potential solutions that will be presented to a panel of seasoned municipal leaders 

• Interact with seasoned municipal leaders through a structured panel discussion focused on “Leadership in Action” in the final session 

COURSE SCHEDULE: 

 
All five full-day sessions will be held in person at MMA in Augusta from 9 am – 5 pm. Participants are expected to attend all sessions: 

• Session 1: Monday, March 16 - The Leadership Challenge Workshop and Introduction to Case Studies 

• Session 2: Monday, March 30 - The Leadership Challenge Workshop, Leading and Managing People Workshop, and Small Group Case Study Work 

• Session 3: Monday, April 13 - The Leadership Challenge Workshop, Navigating Change Workshop, and Small Group Case Study Work 

• Session 4: Thursday, April 30 - The Leadership Challenge Workshop, Financial Decision-Making Workshop, and Small Group Case Study Work 

• Session 5: Monday, May 11 - Personal Leadership Development Plan Sharing and Feedback, Leadership in Action Panel Discussion, and Case Study Presentations 

 CANCELLATION POLICY: 

Cancellations must be submitted using this Cancellation form to cancel your registration for an event.  

• Cancellations received before/on 3/1/26 will be assessed a $15 administrative fee for processing.  

• Cancellations received on/after 3/2/26 will be charged 50% of the course fee.