DIRECTOR’S NOTES

DAVID REISS | SDML EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

With this being my fi rst time through the South  Dakota Municipal League calendar, I get to  experience each affi  liate organization conference,  training, and gathering through the lens of being  new. By now we have had the  opportunity to support many  of our affi  liate organizations  through their spring and  summer trainings. Each time,  I came away seeing firsthand the dedication and true  concern for the wellbeing  of communities that our  numerous public servants  have.

When I took this job, our staff  impressed upon me how  much they value working with  municipal elected offi  cials and  staff members because of  their passion towards bettering their communities.  Now that I am getting to meet and visit with so  many of you, I have become more impressed  with how personally invested so many of you are  in your cities, your role in supporting community  development, and how much our municipal public  servants care about their community members. I  truly feel privileged to be involved in such a serviceoriented organization and working for so many  people who humbly strive to better conditions in  their hometowns and area.

As we slide into the sunny summer months, we  must already turn our attention to end-of-year  concerns and activities. In August the SDML policy  committees will gather and discuss current SDML policy statements, ongoing policy objectives,  and explore future policy goals for South Dakota  communities. These policy meetings and the  final SDML policy statement that results will  guide the work of the League during the South  Dakota Legislative session and during ongoing  administrative meetings with state and federal  agencies.

Our team works diligently throughout the year to  keep current on important policy issues to address  during these meetings and I am extremely excited  to tackle the ever-changing issues facing South  Dakota communities. I look forward to working  with our policy committee appointees to shape  the future of the League’s policy objectives and  guiding South Dakota communities forward.

Lastly, I want to encourage newly elected and  returning elected municipal leaders to attend the  SDML Elected Offi  cials Workshop on July 26 in  Pierre. This training is an excellent opportunity to  gain important insight into the municipal offi  cial’s  role, learn many processes and procedures  inherent to being a successful elected municipal  leader, and create peer networks with other newly  elected offi  cials from across South Dakota. Our staff  is working hard to make this training conference  meaningful and provide critical opportunities  for learning to elected local government public  servants.

Please remember, we are always available to  you as a resource for your communities. I urge  you to contact us if you have municipal issues  or questions at 1-800-658-3633 or via email at  david@sdmunicipalleague.org. ■