Georgia Municipal Association

Last week, RMEBS was proud to represent Georgia as the host state for the 2026 National League of Cities RISC Trustee Conference in the City of Savannah! Municipal leaders and risk management professionals from across the country gathered for meaningful conversations on leadership, governance, and the evolving challenges facing local governments today. GMA CEO and Executive Director Larry Hanson welcomed attendees to Georgia, while Savannah Mayor Van R. Johnson, II, SPHR, SHRM-CP, IPMA-CP kicked off the conference with an inspiring keynote, “The Power of AND,” sharing insights on collaboration, leadership, and navigating complex challenges with confidence and creativity. Attendees also heard from Gwin Copeland Hall Hall, Senior Associate General Counsel for GMA, during the Federal Legislative and Legal Update session, highlighting timely legal and legislative issues impacting cities nationwide. Thank you to our RMEBS Board of Trustees and staff members who attended and helped support a successful conference experience from start to finish!

✨Meet Pam Helton, Senior Member Services Consultant, District 12✨ With more than 25 years of local government experience and over two decades of service with GMA, Pam brings extensive knowledge and trusted guidance to Georgia's cities. As a Senior Member Services Consultant, she supports municipalities in areas including city administration, financial management, revenue administration, utilities, elections and operational reviews. Known for her commitment to service, Pam is passionate about helping cities succeed by connecting them with the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive. She also serves as Business Manager for the Georgia Municipal Clerks Association. 💡Fun Fact: Her personal motto is, "Never put off tomorrow what you can do today."

Thanks to the attendees, presenters, sponsors and exhibitors who joined us for GMA’s Small Cities Conference in the City of Gainesville, Georgia, GA. City leaders shared meaningful conversations, built partnerships, and gained tools to strengthen their communities.  #GaCities

✨Meet Freddie, Director of Member Services ✨ Freddie serves as Director of Member Services at GMA, where he leads leadership development and member engagement initiatives supporting all 536 cities across Georgia. With nearly 30 years of public sector leadership experience--including service as Fire Chief--Freddie brings a rare blend of executive insight, front-line credibility, and a strong coaching mindset to his work with local government leaders. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Change Leadership and is deeply committed to helping leaders grow with purpose, lead authentically, and build high-performing organizations and communities where people want to live, work, and play. 💡Fun Fact about Freddie: On weekends, you might spot Freddie wearing a "Be Kind" or "Free Hugs" shirt--an extension of his belief that kindness and love are powerful forces for positive change.

A self-service retirement portal is coming for participants in GMA's defined benefit retirement plans. Get the details at this Thursday's webinar: https://lnkd.in/e8ZESdAY The GMA Member Self-Service Portal will allow both retirees and active city employees to access their retirement information online--including direct deposit updates, tax documents, plan information, retirement estimates, and more.

We're kicking off something special! 🌟 Over the next several weeks, we'll be spotlighting the dedicated professionals behind our Member Services team--those working every day to support and strengthen cities across Georgia. From leadership development to hands-on consultation, this team partners with all 536 cities to provide guidance, share best practices, and help communities thrive. Each week, you'll get to know the people behind the work--their experience, their passion, and even a few fun facts about them along the way. Stay tuned as we count down to Convention and celebrate the individuals who make this work possible. #GaCities

GMA’s Small Cities Conference has officially kicked off, and the energy is high as local leaders from across #GaCities come together to share ideas and strengthen the communities we serve.   Over the next few days, attendees will engage in meaningful conversations and classes focused on leadership, economic development, infrastructure, community engagement, and the unique opportunities facing Georgia’s small cities.   This conference is an opportunity to learn from one another, build new partnerships, and celebrate the innovation happening in communities of every size. Here’s to a great conference and the important work ahead for Georgia’s small cities!

For city officials serving small communities, the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute has been a lifeline, helping them navigate their roles, despite limited staff and resources. The training institute, established in 1981, is operated in partnership between the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) and the The University of Georgia’s UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government (CVIOG). The program features more than 80 classes, mostly three-to-six hours long, that cover city operations, economic development, community engagement, intergovernmental relations, leadership development, public safety, quality of life initiatives and municipal finance. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eq5FpKF7.

Meet Randy Briskin, Retirement Field Services Representative Randy partners with cities to help employees better understand their retirement benefits and feel confident about their future. From one-on-one guidance to group education, he makes complex topics easier to navigate. Learn more about the RMEBS Field Representatives: https://lnkd.in/emmr8b_u

Special thanks to our Gold Sponsor, Polimorphic, for helping make the Small Cities Conference happen! We’re gearing up for an engaging event focused on innovation, collaboration, and the future of Georgia’s communities. Learn more about the upcoming Small Cities Conference: https://lnkd.in/eWMqdBsC