Promoting good city government is important to the Iowa League of Cities, and this essay contest provides students the opportunity to reflect on the role of the key elected official in their own city.

To recognize elected officials who are committed to continuing their professional development as elected officials, the Iowa League of Cities established the Certified Elected Municipal Official (CEMO) program. This voluntary recognition program allows attendees to build towards the CEMO designation while receiving meaningful, informative and useful information on topics that expand the elected official’s knowledge and capabilities.

With the All-Star Community Awards program, the Iowa League of Cities seeks to acknowledge and encourage excellence in local government. The program provides an opportunity for officials and staff of member cities to receive recognition for their superior and innovative efforts.

The League Hall of Fame Award was created to recognize individuals who have provided extraordinary public service to the League and local government.

The Rhonda Wood Smith Award was created to recognize exemplary work of young city officials and those new to city government.

By creating the Legislative Service Awards in 2010, the League shows its appreciation to legislators who have made extraordinary efforts on behalf of Iowa’s cities and who have demonstrated their willingness not only to engage, but also to lead the way for cities in Iowa. Legislators are chosen because they have demonstrated effort to work on city legislation, dedication to League issues, or responsiveness to League advocates and members, during the past session. The League wants to thank these exceptional lawmakers for their dedicated service to cities.