By Bob O’Neill, ICMA Executive Director
In April 2013, I appointed a Range Rider 2014 Advisory Committee to celebrate 40 years of the Range Rider Program and to enhance its value to ICMA members and to state associations in the second century of ICMA. The Range Rider Program, now in 22 states, has been a valued service and is an important partnership between ICMA and state associations.
The Advisory Committee was composed of key stakeholders: Range Riders, state secretariats and state leaders from the states with programs, and other members served by the program, such as former MITs and first time administrators in those states. The Committee engaged Range Riders and state sponsors in the development of the recommendations. The Committee’s recommendations to “refresh” the program for the future have been approved by the ICMA Executive Board.
A number of the adopted recommendations reinforce current guidelines, but I wanted to take this opportunity to review with you those that involve changes and/or greater clarity.
Name Change
The Committee, and others who provided feedback, urged a change in the name from Range Riders to Senior Advisors to better describe the role and its primary emphasis on providing members with advice and support. Those members who are currently serving ICMA under the title of Senior Advisors will become ICMA Liaisons to better describe their role serving as ICMA representatives to state associations and other groups. This change in titles will become effective at the 2014 ICMA Annual Conference.
Enumerate Clear Goals and Responsibilities
All state sponsors are asked to adopt a Range Rider Program Policy, clearly indicating program goals and the responsibilities of Range Riders and the state association. ICMA has provided and now updated a recommended policy for state sponsors to adapt. ICMA will work with each state to create a policy or modify, if needed, the policy the state already has. ICMA’s guidelines for the program outline responsibilities for all three parties to the program: Range Riders, state sponsors and ICMA. The goal is to foster performance and accountability for all parties and to provide consistency in meeting member expectations across the country while at the same time providing flexibility in recognition of the differences in needs, geography and resources of state sponsors.
Establish Terms and Periodic Reviews
State sponsor Range Rider Program Policies are asked to include terms and periodic reviews for Range Riders in order to ensure continued vibrancy and effectiveness for the program. Some states have already established this practice. To facilitate conversations on mutual expectations, the new guidelines establish an initial appointment of one year for new Range Riders and a review and conversation after that first year. Then two year reappointments follow with a review at least every two years to discuss how things are going. The reviews should be based on clear expectations/criteria as outlined in the state’s Range Rider Program Policy. To assist states with limited resources, ICMA has been asked to develop a model template for a review process that states can adapt.
Non-CAOs Eligible to Serve as Range Riders
Members who have not served as CAOs but as Deputy or Assistant Managers (non-CAOs) are now eligible for appointment as Range Riders. The Committee and the ICMA Board recognize that some career assistants have much to offer. State association boards should exercise appropriate discretion in selection of and evaluation of Range Riders, whether they are CAO’s or Non-CAO’s. What is important for any Range Rider is being transparent and candid about past experience since outreach to others with relevant experience is part of any Range Rider’s tool kit.
Guidelines for Part-time Consultants Modified
The conflict of interest guidelines have been modified to allow more members engaged in part-time consulting to serve in the program. Recognizing that members may wish to remain active in retirement and/or need to supplement sources of retirement income, the following guideline has been adopted:
A Range Rider may be employed part-time by a consulting firm if:
- the focus is on providing technical expertise on individual projects
- there is no responsibility for soliciting business or for client development/maintenance for purposes of future business
An annual review is recommended to assess whether there are any perceived conflicts and whether adequate time is available to serve members.
Policy on Manager Placement Work
A statement of policy has been developed to clarify any Range Rider involvement in manager placement work. Some states or Range Riders individually help identify candidates and advise on the recruitment process for communities, especially small ones, which have chosen not to use a search firm. It was agreed that any involvement was up to the state sponsor, but that assistance should not include selecting finalists or participation in the final selection process.
The guidelines and manual on the Range Rider Program section of ICMA’s web site have been updated to reflect all changes/clarifications except for the name change. That change will occur in September. We look forward to working with each state to implement what we believe are enhancements to the existing program which has served members so well for four decades. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.