Democracy at the Doorstep – True Stories from the Green Berets of Public Administrators

democracy at the doorstep, too!

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the latest book from Mike Conduff with Co-Author Melissa byrne Vossmer

Democracy at the Doorstep, too!

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While life in the fishbowl of public management is never easy, it is often especially challenging for women professionals. In many cases a woman has been a “first” or even an “only” and being the first or the only can be demandingly difficult – and also remarkably rewarding.

Following on the incredible success of Democracy at the Doorstep – True Stories from the Green Berets of Public Administrators, this collection of more true stories deals exclusively with women professionals and showcases the exceptional commitment that these “special forces experts” bring to their field. The stories are inspirational, insightful and instructional. You will laugh out loud at some, cry at others and be amazed at them all with the barriers experienced and overcome, the innovations instituted, and the lessons learned and taught. Democracy works because Local Government works, and women professionals are a key component of both!

Meet the Author

Mike Conduff is a veteran of thirty years in local government. An acclaimed speaker, author, governance expert and mentor, Mike rose from entry level engineer to city manager, leading four acclaimed university communities in two states in the course of his successful career. Here he has used true stories to showcase the dedicated, effective and enthusiastic leadership of the great profession of City and County Management.

What people are saying about the book

Testimonials

Dave Childs, City Manager of Palmdale, California, ICMA President, 2010

“Many of us think we’ve seen it all, and then a book like this comes along that opens our eyes to a whole new world of stories from the frontlines of public management! Mike and Melissa have done a great job with this collection of real stories from women professionals that will inspire us, make us think and also make us laugh!

Michael Willis, ICMA President, 2005

"These are the stories of professional local government management women, told by women. They are stories we all need to hear, and to reflect on, as we diversify our profession."

David Limardi, ICMA Midwest Regional Director, ICMA President, 2008

"These stories from women professionals help us understand leadership in times of disruptive change. Rather than admiring the problem, we learn how to seek the solution. Bravo, Mike and Melissa."

Dave Krings, Director, Non-Profit and Local Government Solutions, TechSolve, Inc., ICMA President, 2003

"There have been great female managers from the beginning of time whose talents have often been overlooked for just as long. Conduff and Vossmer have assembled stories from women public managers that offer inspiration for public servants of both genders."

Peggy Merriss, City Manager of Decatur, GA, ICMA President, 2002

"Stories represent the chronicles of our lives. Women bring a passion and perspective to stories that can otherwise go missing. Thanks to Mike & Melissa for adding to the collective history of the profession with this volume of stories told by women."

Ed Daley, City Manager, Hopewell, Virginia, ICMA President, 2007

“Mike and Melissa have used the words of many of their colleagues to capture the spirit of local government and the contributions managers and assistants make to their communities. These managers and their assistants tell wonderful stories about why House Speaker Thomas P. ‘Tip’ O’Neill told us ‘all politics is local’ and about where the rubber meets the road for the citizen. Everyone interested in local government as a profession and in learning ‘how things get done at city hall’ needs to read their stories.”