By Justin Breyer
As we enter into the fourth quarter of the calendar year, we start to look ahead to 2022.
2022 Winter Institute
The upcoming Winter Institute will be held in the City of Troy at the Detroit Marriott Troy, January 25–28, 2022. The Early Career Outreach Committee is planning to hold a dinner event on Wednesday, January 26. Registration for this event will be available alongside the overall Institute registration.
MME Fellowship
In the Spring of 2022, the Early Career Outreach Committee will release its annual call for prospective host communities for the MME Fellowship Program. I would ask that you strongly consider submitting an application to the MME Fellowship Program to be considered as a host community. Fellows will serve in their host community for a one-year term starting in July. This program requires a grant match from the host community. 
Each year, there are two (2) fellowship positions available. Each fellow will work directly with a local government manager and their staff on projects in their community. The focus of the fellowship is to provide students with direct experience in the local government management profession. The Fellow will work for your community for 20-25 hours per week depending on the community’s needs and the student’s availability.
Internship List
The Early Career Outreach Committee undertakes an annual update to the MME Internship List. The purpose of this list is to advertise that a community is willing to hear from prospective interns. Advertising on the list does not obligate any community to accept an intern or an applicant. A copy of the current list is available on the MME website at: http://www.mme.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2021-MME-Internship-Opportunity-Listing.pdf. If you would like to request an update to this list, please forward the following information to Mike Womack at manager@cityofcedarsprings.org: 1) Name of the Community; 2) Whether you offer a paid internship; 3) Contact person in the community, title, email, and phone number. The update will be made with the next edition of the list.
Regional Groups
Twelve regional groups around the state hold meetings/luncheons to provide important face-to-face networking opportunities and information on pertinent topics. Contact information for each Regional Group, along with meeting places, dates, and times are provided on the MME website at: http://www.mme.org/board-committees/regional-groups/. While in-person meetings of these groups may be on hold due to COVID, MME members (and those interested in the profession) are encouraged to reach-out and connect with their closest Regional Group.
Students and Internships
The Early Career Outreach Committee has been working to build a contact list for students interested in the profession that may not be currently serving in a community or have access to the ListServ. While we have shared event notices and the Compiled Internship List with this group, we recognize that MME members may have information relevant to those looking to enter the profession. If you have specific internship/fellowship postings or any additional information that you feel would be relevant to share with students interested in the profession, please reach out to Committee Chair Justin Breyer at Jbreyer@dextermi.gov. Also, if you have contact information for any students that have expressed interest in our profession, please forward their contact information.
Justin Breyer
Chair, Early Career Outreach
Dexter City Manager
Justin Breyer started his local government career in 2011 as an intern in the Troy City Manager’s Office. He has now served the City of Dexter for over six years, first as the Assistant to the City Manager, now as the City Manager and City Clerk. He has continuing education certifications as an Elections Administrator, Professional Municipal Clerk (MiPMC), and Certified Assessing Officer (MCAO). He has also served on the MME’s Early Career Outreach Committee (formerly NextGen Committee) for four years, with two of those years as the Committee Chair. You may reach him at Jbreyer@dextermi.gov.