The New Letters to the Editor

This session was extremely interesting. It involved how to approach or look at the "New Letters to the Editor", the Internet anonymous "letters" that cowards use to make spiteful, lying attacks on any and all subjects. The speaker mentioned you COULD do something about it, but the general feeling of the crowd was to ignore it.

I thought the concept of the "truth squad" (using his own name) was interesting, but I don't really know if these letters are worth the time and effort.

Also, this type of cowardly attacks were "legalized" by a federal law (I don't really understand what the objective of the law is) and it gives another example of the unintended consequences of governmental actions.

Googleplex tour

ICMA Conference: "Googleplex tour".

This was probably the most anticipated session of the conference. I think the main concept I got from this tour was just what a dedicated group of people can accomplish, as well as becoming more familiar with the "Google Apps" and how I could use them to work more effectively.

Also, the guide who went with us was involved in the location of the "Googleplex" in Mountain View and that explanation of negotiations was an education in itself.

I tried note all of the Google culture, from the code explanations over the urinals, to the reasoning behind allowing dogs at work and providing feeding stations. By chance, I read a story in the local newspaper about the interviewing process at Google and it was a good example of why good hiring is the most important step in the personnel system.

Inspirational Breakfast

ICMA Conference, October 18, 2010: “Inspirational Breakfast”.

What was “inspirational” about this breakfast was the approach used by the sponsors, having actual clients testify how the social programs helped them. In this case, the clients included a victim of domestic abuse, a recovering addict to alcohol and drugs and perhaps the most inspiring, the homeless person who was helped by the program.

The theme of the program was how the resources of the local government and local private organizations were used on a collaborative basis to combat these problems.

My interest was how local agencies could be used in resolving any time of problem (or perhaps more correctly) or providing services to the residents who need such services

"Gaming can Make a Better World"

CMA Conference, October 17, 2010: Opening General Session, Jane McGonigal, “Gaming can Make a Better World”.

I enjoyed this because it was a new thought (to me). McGonigal stated the premise that computer games could be used to resolve social and other problems. She cited two such games that had been used to resolve actual problems.

While I don’t know that I will start using computer games to solve problems, it still opened up some new thoughts. This is what I enjoy and find educational about sessions like this. It opens up a new thought path to me.

While I haven’t looked at the computer games she mentioned in her talk, I have discussed the concept with the staff and I feel it is opening up some new ways of looking at how to resolve problems.

We are looking at continued reduced revenues and I feel the discussions started about the “computer game theory” helped us derive some new ways of looking at analyzing our personnel, vehicle and other needs.

After I got over my initial rejection of her theory, I found the session was one of the better sessions I attended, as it opened me up to accepting new approaches. Also, at least one employee downloaded the games she mentioned and worked with them on his own time, and he has demonstrated some new talents I wasn’t aware he had!