Your options:
- Submit a text story only.
- Submit a text story with a photograph, audio file, or video (see technical requirements below).
- Submit a photo, audio file, or video without a story. Be sure to include a description -- who, what, why, when, and where.
Stories should not exceed 500 words; however, you're welcome to post as many entries (either multiple installments of one story or different stories) and other media as you like!
If you have any questions, contact Michele Frisby at mfrisby@icma.org.
Story Categories
- My ICMA Story: Reminiscences and experiences from your time as an ICMA member
- My Life in Local Government: Memories, events, and experiences from your career in local government
- My Local Government Heroes: Your teachers, mentors, role models, and the people who inspire(d) you
- Partnering with ICMA: If you work for an organization other than a local government, describe your experiences as a collaborator with ICMA
Having trouble coming up with a story? Here are some ideas to get you started:
My ICMA Story
- Why it was important for me to join ICMA and what ICMA has meant to me during my career
- Memorable experiences I’ve had as part of the ICMA family
- How ICMA has changed since I’ve been a member
My life in local government
- Why I chose a career in professional local government management and what being a local government manager has meant to me
- My proudest or most memorable moment, experience, or project, or my toughest challenge
- How the job of local government manager has changed during my time in the profession
- My advice for managers who are just starting out
My Local Government Heroes
- Someone who inspired me to become a local government manager
- My best teacher or mentor, or someone I’ve learned from
- Someone who took a special interest in my career development
Partnering with ICMA
- How I/we came to choose ICMA as a partner or collaborator
- Why it was important that I/my organization partner with ICMA
- Results of my/our partnership with ICMA
how to upload your entry
- Before submitting an entry you must register with our application. You cannot use your ICMA sign on: you must register separately to submit an entry. Register here.
- Be specific. Include any relevant information in the description box on the entry form: names of individuals in photos or videos, dates, places, and any information we need to understand the background and context of your story.
- You may submit only one photo, video, audio, or text story at a time; however, you are welcome to submit more than one entry.
- We ask you to limit each story to 500 words.
- You cannot edit an entry once it is submitted — you can only delete it. To delete your entry, log into the contest site and go to your entry's page. Click the delete button above the story title on far right and then confirm that you wish to delete that entry. That's it!
you may upload the following types of files:
Text/Story
- Write or copy and paste your story into the "write your submission" field.
- Describe your entry with a title and an optional brief description.
- Plain text (any special formatting may not appear)
- 500-word limit.
- If you would like to add a photo to your text story, select "Image" for the entry type and tell your story in the description area of the form. Follow Image/Photo instructions above.
Image/Photo
- Upload or link to one of your Facebook photos.
- Describe your entry with a title and tell your story in the description field.
- File formats we accept: JPG, GIF, TIF, PNG (for best results, 720px wide x 405px high, landscape/horizontal orientation)
- Maximum file size: 50 MB
- Maximum size in pixels: 8000x8000
Video
- Upload or link to an existing YouTube video.
- Describe your entry with a title and a brief description.
- MOV, MPEG, MPG, MP4, M4V, VOB, FLV, AVI, ASF, DIVX, WMV (For best results, 16 x 9 aspect ratio)
- Maximum file size: 500 MB
- Maximum length: 2 minutes
Audio Clip
- Upload your audio clip.
- Describe your entry with a title and a brief description.
- File formats we accept: MP3, M4A, WMA, WAV, MP4, AAC
- Maximum file size: 50 MB
