By Rebecca Fleury
Fall in Michigan is full of fun and adventures. Football, color tours, sweaters and hot chocolate, wrapping up farmers markets, end of season arts and culture events, and gearing up for snow and the holiday season. These months signal the change of seasons and I believe all of us know we could experience all four Michigan seasons in one day! May Mother Nature be kind to our communities this fall and winter. 
It was wonderful to see many of you at the ICMA Annual Conference, Restart, in Portland, Oregon. If you were unable to attend in person, I hope you took advantage of the digital platform for the conference. There were many new ideas shared, lessons learned from hardships endured, and concepts for new successes. There was something for everyone and nice to be together.
The conference was also a chance for many of our colleagues to share the innovative things they are doing in their communities. Congratulations to Robyn Afrik, Kim Awrey, Christopher Bolt, Bridgette Gransden, Michael Hamel, Emily Kieliszewski, Laura Lam, Frances McMullan, Kathryn Snyder, Sheryl Mitchell Theriot, Al Vanderberg, Frank Walsh, Thomas Wieczorek, and me. Michigan leaders shone brightly in a variety of ways, including all our service award winners!
Thank you again to everyone that participated in our MME Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion discussion during the MML Convention. Mark Washington has shared the feedback and notes. I will be sharing these with the MME Board and recommending the creation of a DEI committee to continue to explore this feedback and next steps.
The Board will have much to consider in November as we may also have final recommendations from our three task forces.
I want to share that I am currently participating in the ICMA High Performance Leadership Academy. I believe several of you have participated as well. I would love to hear about your experience. Although I am only six weeks in, I am already finding new ways to think differently about being a leader and my leadership philosophy. The virtual platform and the amazing slate of instructors such as General Colin Powell (may he RIP), Marshall Goldsmith, and over 3,000 C-suite leaders and top academics keeps me on my toes. There are two in-person sessions each week and I am enjoying learning from other municipal managers across the nation. I am considering offering this to my senior leadership team. If you are interested, visit the website at https://icma.org/icma-high-performance-leadership-academy. Our teams are our most valuable asset. Investment in them (and ourselves) holds a great rate of return. There is also a discount if you are an ICMA member.
I also want to lift up that October was mental health awareness month. Your mental health is equally as important as your physical health. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of this. There is a variety of resources available to help us focus on mental health. Whether it is through MME (visit the Member Support Services section of our website) or your home community. Please remember the importance of self-care.
A local credit union has posted this sign in their lobby. I am using this at city hall and some of our public meetings and community conversations. A good reminder for all of us.
Rebecca Fleury
President, Michigan Municipal Executives
City Manager, Battle Creek
Rebecca Fleury has served in local government management for 21 years, specializing in the areas of public finance, community development, and public safety. She has served as the city manager for Battle Creek since October 2014, and also served in the City of Kalamazoo, the City of Hastings, and the Village of Middleville. She is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and is a Credentialed Manager through ICMA, as well as an active member of the Michigan Municipal Executives serving on several committees, and chair of the Professional Development Committee. You may reach her at rlfleury@battlecreekmi.gov.