Organization Overview

ICMA is the professional and educational organization for chief appointed managers, administrators, and assistants in cities, towns, counties, and regional entities throughout the world. Since 1914, ICMA has provided technical and management assistance, training, and information resources to its members and the local government community. The management decisions made by ICMA's 9,000 members affect nearly 185 million individuals in thousands of communities--from small towns with populations of a few hundred to metropolitan areas serving several million.

ICMA's Mission

ICMA's mission is to create excellence in local governance by developing and fostering professional local government management worldwide.

Core Beliefs

During ICMA's strategic planning process in 2008, ICMA members reaffirmed the Association's core beliefs. ICMA members believe in

Serving as stewards of representative democracy
Practicing the highest standards of honesty and integrity in local governance, as expressed through ICMA’s Code of Ethics
Advocating for professional management as an integral component of effective local governance and community building, with council-manager government as the preferred local government structure
Building sustainable communities as a core responsibility of local government
Networking and exchanging knowledge and skills across international boundaries
Ensuring that local governments and the association reflect the diversity of the communities we serve
Committing to lifelong learning and professional development
Building up the quality of the profession and the association through an engaged network of members personally committed to that end.

Organization Activities

ICMA offers a wide range of services to its members and the local government community. The Association is an internationally recognized publisher of information resources ranging from textbooks and survey data to topic-specific newsletters and e-publications. ICMA provides technical assistance to local governments in emerging democracies, helping them to develop professional practices and ethical, transparent governments. ICMA assists local governments in the United States through programs such as the Center for Performance Measurement, the Smart Growth Network, and other programs that focus on specific areas of need.

Information about ICMA's many products and services is available throughout icma.org.

Downloads

Executive Director's Report 2009 (Adobe Acrobat Document, 362 KB)

Executive Director's Report 2008 (Adobe Acrobat Document, 204 KB)

Executive Director's Report 2007 (Adobe Acrobat Document, 309 KB)

Executive Director's Report 2006 (Adobe Acrobat Document, 158 KB)

Executive Director's Report 2005 (Adobe Acrobat Document, 169 KB)

Executive Director's Report 2004 (Adobe Acrobat Document, 132 KB)

Executive Director's Report 2003 (Adobe Acrobat Document, 101 KB)