Exclusive Programme for SOLGM Members

Overseas Manager Exchanges

The SOLGM Overseas Manager Exchange Programme provides an ideal opportunity for SOLGM members to develop their skills, competencies and knowledge by learning from local authorities in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Australia.

This enriching programme includes attending the Annual Conference of the host country. The New Zealand Manager (SOLGM member) will then host their overseas counterpart in New Zealand at the time of the SOLGM Annual Conference (usually September).

The benefits of this programme are:

• Increase level of awareness about and understanding of local government issues
• Gain insights and knowledge from first hand experience and observations of how local authorities operate in other countries
• Discuss and share ideas with local government officers from overseas on similar issues concerning your local authority
• Seek fresh ideas and pick up ‘best practices’ from local authorities overseas
• Network and establish long-lasting relationships

What is involved in the Programme?

The Exchange visits are typically a fortnight in duration and are usually scheduled around the annual conference of SOLGM and its overseas partner organisation to allow both managers to attend the annual conferences.

The host manager and their partner manager work out a programme of visits and events that would meet the interests of the guest. The normal expectation is that apart from the period of conference attendance, the guest manager is hosted by their overseas partner and their family on a "home stay" basis.

What does the Award cover?

SOLGM will reimburse travel costs of the Awardee and spouse/partner from New Zealand to the exchange destination and to the conference location of the overseas partner organisation (and may include any necessary incidental accommodation)

The overseas partner organisation will cover the conference registration and accommodation (for the duration of the conference) costs of the Awardee and spouse/partner. (Note: New South Wales, Australia exchange will cover registration and accommodation costs of the Awardee only, and NOT the spouse/partner)

Overseas Partners

• Local Government Managers Australia (LGMA), Australia
• ICMA, United States
• Local Government Management Association of British Columbia
• SOLACE, United Kingdom

Sponsors

The SOLGM Overseas Manager Exchange programme is kindly sponsored by:

USA Exchanges:

Australian Exchanges