Committee Boot Camp

In 2011, the Marquette City Commission raised questions with city manager Bill Vieda about people joining city–appointed committees.

The City Commission was concerned the appointees weren’t being trained adequately to handle the new responsibilities.

So Vieda, city attorney Ron Keefe and other city staff created what they call ‘committee boot camp’.

It’s a training session for volunteer committee members.

The boot camp is voluntary, it only lasts an hour, and there are no push–ups involved.

The boot camp involves training on how to follow the state open meetings act.

It includes ethical and procedural rules, and instruction on how to compile meeting minutes.

City staff have held five boot camp sessions so far.

And the next committee boot camp is taking place in February.

Written by Mike Hoey