#NCLGBA21 Recap Series: A Love Letter to NCLGBA

Over the next few weeks, we will be featuring reflections on the 2021 Winter Conference. If you would like to share your experience, please email admin@nclgba.org.

Our first #NCLGBA21 Conference Recap comes from Michelle Daniels, former NCLGBA President and Budget Officer for New Hanover County.

After six years on the board, I had forgotten what it was like to be a conference attendee.  Being involved from preparation to execution, I was always aware of the excellence that was put into planning an outstanding event; however, I never had the opportunity to fully enjoy it. I am pleased to share this recap of the NCLGBA 2021 Winter Conference with you.
 
My excitement around the agenda is hard to articulate. As I read over it, I felt like it embodied everything about me, so I was very eager to get to Pinehurst. I’m a black, female leader and business owner living in rural eastern NC and working in urban eastern NC who loves Keith Lane’s sales tax wizardry – absolutely everything about this agenda made me think the planning committee thought of me while creating it! Even the staples, like the Legislative and Economic Updates came with a little twist that I wasn’t expecting; it was a delight to “see” Amber Harris, and Dr. Romero hailed from NC A&T where I took quite a few classes in my undergrad years, neither of which I’d had the pleasure of hearing speak before.
 
During the “Leading While Female: Gender in Leadership in Local Government” and “It’s Tough on Us: Managing Emotional Labor in Budgeting” sessions with Dr. Leisha DeHart Davis, the frankness of her lectures coupled with the authenticity of the comments and the conversations I was having at a table with very few people I knew or had formally met before, I began to feel like I was in a stadium full of people rooting for the home team. We come from diverse backgrounds, personally and professionally, and the fandom of our jurisdictions translates to a shared purpose to elevate our state. I had a very similar experience at dinner both nights, while we talked about a lot more than our careers, it was a pleasure getting to know people I had not previously taken an opportunity to meet.
 
I found myself scanning the room to see if people were engaged, making it a mission to introduce myself to first-time attendees, asking people if there was anything I could do to help (not thinking about how I am no longer “in the know” as it pertains to conference logistics), I think it’s one of those things you hold on to, a Presidency, I mean. Understanding the challenges of getting volunteers to assist with registration or writing re-caps, I figured I’d show my cards and volunteer…seems I can’t stay away.
 
I may have veered off the beaten path with this one a little, but I think it’s important to applaud the history we’re making and cherish the relationships we’re building. As a mid-career professional, the way this conference taps into the development of the budget profession in an inclusive and engaging manner never ceases to amaze me. I attended my first conference 10 years ago, so when I look back on the journey and see how far we’ve come, and the current board paints a vivid picture of where we’re going…I can’t help but to be grateful that I get to be part of such a phenomenal organization.
 
With Appreciation,
 
Michelle Daniels
Former Madam President