Special Seminars for Public Officials

The Rappaport Institute strives to provide opportunities for policy-makers in Greater Boston to reflect on their goals and visions for their municipality, learn about new and exciting public management tools, and discuss matters of common interest and concern in Greater Boston. In the past, the Rappaport Institute has sponsored many such events, including a daylong retreat for City of Cambridge officials, a trip to Baltimore that offered local officials a chance to learn about the CitiStat program, special morning sessions open to public officials on topics such as navigating fiscal crises in their cities, labor and contract negotiations and smart growth issues and a day-long program for public officials on implementing the CitiStat program in their cities.

If you are interested in attending the one-year (full- or part-time) mid-career Masters in Public Administration program at the Kennedy School of Government, there are two scholarship options for local public officials.

Jerome L. Rappaport Sr./Boston Urban Fellowship

For elected officials in the greater Boston area, as defined by the counties of Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, Essex, Franklin, Plymouth and Bristol. And nonelected officials serving in the City of Boston. Candidates should demonstrate an interest in urban and metropolitan issues, and a capacity for leadership and a continuing commitment to contribute to the well being of the greater Boston Area. (More)

Governor Robert F. Bradford Fellowship for Excellence in Public Administration

For public leaders working in the Executive Branch of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Application procedures for this program are handled by the Human Resources Division of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For information, call 617-727-3777 x580.

Past Special Seminars for Public Officials

2005

Funding Local Government: Revisiting the Fiscal Partnership
November 2, 2005

Virtually all of Massachusetts’ cities and towns face a long-term financial problems, according to a September 2005 report by the Municipal Finance Task Force, a blue-ribbon committee chaired by John Hamill, one of the region’s most respected civic leaders. (More)

Changing Faces: The Changing Demographics of Age, Race and Immigration in Massachusetts
Friday, January 14, 2005

Massachusetts is changing in a number of ways - an influx of new immigrants to our neighborhoods, an aging population that might not have saved enough for retirement and a lack of pension coverage as well as changes in the segregation of neighborhoods. (More)

2004

Workshop on Smart Growth with Harriet Tregoning:
How Can Local Leaders Bring Smart Growth Home?
Monday, March 29, 2004

In recent years, cities and towns have worked to coordinate a wide range of policies - transportation, housing, parks and natural spaces, historic preservation, downtown development, schools and cultural facilities – to enhance the cohesion and efficiency of their communities. (More)

Getting to Yes
Effective Strategies for State and Municipal Contract Negotiations
Friday, January 23, 2004

At a time of tight fiscal constraints at both the state and municipal levels, negotiations over public-sector labor contracts figure were a major concern in 2004. Negotiating contracts that met budgetary limits, fostered greater services to the public and provided fair compensation and career opportunities were one of the most important challenge facing city and town officials. (More)

2003

Bringing CitiStat to Massachusetts:
A Workshop for Public Officials
Tuesday, September 16, 2003

On September 16, 2003, the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston and the National Center for Digital Government convened a group of interested public officials from state and local departments to hear about the CitiStat data-driven management tool for government agencies. (More).

Understanding the State Fiscal Crisis:
Addressing the fiscal crisis in Greater Boston’s Cities and Towns
March 6, 2003

To help cities and towns come to grips with today’s budgetary challenges, the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston held a special seminars for all public officials in the communities of the region. Three of the top experts on state and fiscal issues shared their expertise on fiscal matters. (More)

2002

Cambridge Day Executive Program
" Putting Vision into Practice - Managing During Times of Economic Uncertainty"
January 10, 2002

On January 10, 2002, the Rappaport Institute participated in organizing a one-day executive program for elected and non-elected officials from the City of Cambridge. (More)

2001

CitiStat Trip for Public Officials
June 2001

In June 2001, the Rappaport Institute arranged a daylong trip to Baltimore to meet with city officials who are pioneering a new way to manage cities - CitiStat. (More)