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Chapter 1: Introduction <br />It's easy to understand why a person would be excited about becoming a <br />newly elected or appointed mayor. It's a terrific hallmark in one's life. Serving a <br />city says a lot about a person's sense of public responsibility! With <br />conscientious leadership, the mayor is in a great position to help guide a city <br />forward in policy and development. <br />But being a mayor isn't easy, and it's only natural that a new mayor would on <br />occasion feel intimidated. The office of mayor requires commitment to service <br />and a willingness to take on sometimes significant challenges for the benefit of <br />the city. Even if the mayor and council do everything right, they may receive <br />little gratitude, all the while being overworked and underpaid. When one <br />realizes they have become the chair of a board for a corporation with assets of <br />significant value, it is natural to feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities as <br />well. <br />Enter the Minnesota Mayors Handbook. <br />I. Purpose <br />Being a mayor requires skills and knowledge not endowed by winning an <br />election. While it is true there is a lot to know, it's also true there isn't just one <br />way to be a successful mayor. No single source of information is enough to tell <br />a mayor what to do and how to do it well, that being said, you are encouraged <br />to use the Minnesota Mayors Handbook as a starting point. <br />This handbook starts with an overview of some of the most important laws <br />every Minnesota mayor must be aware of as well as some general areas of law <br />requiring careful consideration. Next, since the mayor is the presiding officer at <br />meetings, the handbook discusses meeting and hearing management skills. <br />The handbook then focuses on general leadership skills. Lastly, appendices <br />include sample council bylaws and rules of order for meetings and hearings. <br />Again, this is merely a starting point for information. When it comes to <br />municipal affairs, there are many places to find answers. One purpose of this <br />handbook is to help a mayor know when to ask questions and where to find <br />answers. <br />Minnesota <br />Mayors <br />Association Chapter 1 3 <br />