NARC EXECUTIVE

DIRECTORS CONFERENCE

October 5-7, 2020 – Conference held virtually

Attendee Login Information 
All attendees should have received an email containing their session logins. The email title is “NARC Virtual EDC Conference: How to Join the Conference Sessions.” If you did not receive this email, please contact Eli Spang at eli.spang@narc.org to have that email resent to you. 

Conference Agenda
The virtual conference will feature two days of online sessions, meetings, and opportunities for networking. The program will include our member-favorite Rapid-Fire Innovations session, as well as sessions on leadership in times of crisis, lessons learned from the coronavirus pandemic, and more. View the conference agenda.

A Note on Tuesday’s First Session: Rapid-Fire Innovations
Some rapid-fire pointers to prepare for Tuesday’s virtual session (from the rapid-fire session facilitator himself, Ty Warner.)

  1. It does not have to be successful. We want everyone to share, but do not fret about sharing something breathtaking, awe-inspiring, or envy-producing. Most will be sharing innovative things their agency has done or is doing, but even attempts that ended in disaster (or just didn’t really work) cans still be helpful to others.
  2. Share just one thing at a time. If we end up with extra time, you’ll be more than welcome to have another go once everyone has gone at least once.
  3. Keep it crisp. You’ll only have a couple of minutes to share, so keep it as pithy as possible.
  4. Folks want to help. If you are brand new in your position, feel free to use your time to talk about something you want to do or are thinking about.
  5. “Handouts” are welcome but not necessary. If you have something you want to share electronically, please send it in advance to Eli Spang at eli.spang@narc.org.

We’re also going to fit in some fun! In between sessions keep an eye out for some quick trivia and mini scavenger hunts (Hint: start looking for your funkiest hat and your coolest mug). We don’t want anyone to get “Zoomed-out,” so we’ll try to get everyone up and moving -just like an in-person NARC conference!

Board of Directors Meeting
All board members should have received an email containing the board meeting link. The email title is “NARC Board of Directors Meeting & Happy Hour.” If you did not receive this email, please contact Eli Spang at eli.spang@narc.org to have that email resent to you.

Executive Directors Council Meeting
All Executive Directors Council members should have received an email containing their session logins. The email title is “NARC Executive Directors Council Meeting & EDC Conference Opening Reception.” If you did not receive this email, please contact Eli Spang at eli.spang@narc.org to have that email resent to you.

Conference Agenda

Monday, October 5

4:30 PM – 6:00 PM ET

Executive Directors Council Meeting

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM ET

EDC Conference Opening Reception

Gather with friends (virtually!) for an evening happy hour event to kick off our virtual Executive Directors Conference. Come network with friends old and new while learning how to make your own signature drink with our guest mixologist.

  

Tuesday, October 6

11:00 AM -1:30 PM ET

Rapid-Fire Innovations

Share with your colleagues (in two minutes or less) a new project, study, revenue enhancement, or other innovation your regional council is pursuing.

Facilitator: Ty Warner, Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission

If you would like to provide handouts or other materials – which are welcomed but not required – please send them to eli.spang@narc.org and NARC staff will distribute them to conference attendees.

1:30 PM – 1:45 PM ET

Break

Attendees are encouraged to use this break to get their own lunch and bring it to the networking lunch session.

1:45 PM – 2:15 PM ET

Networking Lunch

Attendees will break into smaller discussion groups for an opportunity to network with their peers and reflect on the innovations presented in the morning session.

2:15 PM – 2:45 PM ET

Welcome to the Region: Mid-America Regional Council

David Warm, Executive Director for Mid-America Regional Council will share an update from the Kansas City, MO region where this year’s conference was originally planned to be held.

Speaker: David Warm, Mid-America Regional Council

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM ET

Lessons Learned from COVID-19

From virtual board meetings to flexible telework policies, COVID-19 has challenged us to develop new ways of completing our work. While some of these efforts were undertaken to get through the unique situation the global pandemic has put us in, several members have reported positive changes to the way they function that they plan to keep long-term. Which of these initiatives will you continue post-COVID-19?

Facilitator: Kathleen Lomako, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments

3:45 PM- 4:45 PM ET

Leadership in Times of Crisis

This year has hit us with one crisis after another. As leaders in your region, what have you learned through your response to COVID-19, social unrest, wildfires, and the other challenges of 2020? How you will carry those lessons with you going forward?

Facilitator: Josh Brown, Puget Sound Regional Council

4:45 PM – 5:15 PM ET

Closing Remarks / 2021 Annual Conference Preview

The Atlanta Regional Commission will provide an update on the upcoming Annual Conference currently planned to be held in the Atlanta region.

Speaker: Doug Hooker, Atlanta Regional Commission

  

Wednesday, October 7

3:00 PM – 6:00 PM ET

Board of Directors Meeting

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM ET

Board of Directors Reception

  

Thursday, October 8

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET

New EDs Session

This session will give the newest executive directors a chance to meet one another and some of our more seasoned veterans. Whether you are new to the executive director position and our organization or are a NARC regular who wants to meet some of the new faces within our membership, all are welcome!

Facilitator: James Turnwald, Michiana Area Council of Governments

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET

Continuing the Conversation

This will be an opportunity for attendees to dive deeper into some of the topics from the EDC Conference and issues members are facing within their organizations. Conversation topics will be voted on beforehand to ensure the most popular topics are chosen for this.

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM ET

Fiscal Officers Meeting

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published revisions on August 13th in the Federal Register to its Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements (2 CFR 200). The new guidance will take effect 90 days following its publication and is sure to impact how financial professionals in regional councils operate. Bob Lloyd, principal of Federal Fund Management Advisor, will review this latest guidance and what you need to know going forward. All fiscal officers, procurement specialists, grant managers, and other financial and legal professionals within regional councils are encouraged to attend this training. CPE credits will be available for this training.

Thank you to the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) and the Texas Association of Regional Councils (TARC) for sponsoring this training!

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET

Communications & Gov. Affairs Group Meeting

NARC’s Communications and Government Affairs Group will be meeting for a session which will include brief presentations as well as an opportunity for attendees to join in informal conversation.

Contact Us

Questions regarding registration? Contact Marcy Fritter at marcy@narc.org.

Other conference questions? Contact Eli Spang at eli.spang@narc.org.

Future Dates

2021 Executive Directors Conference
September 26-28, 2021 (Executive Directors Conference) 
& September 28-29, 2021 (Board Retreat) – Galveston, TX
Hosted by Houston-Galveston Area Council