April Proclaimed National Public Official Appreciation Month

Monday, April 1, 2024

Media Release 

April Proclaimed National Public Official Appreciation Month

In honor of hard working as well as, far too often, underappreciated and undervalued public officials serving at the municipal, state and federal level across the nation, President Joe Biden has proclaimed April to be National Public Official Appreciation Month.

Accordingly, in the month of April, any person eighteen (18) years of age or older who desires to better appreciate, understand and value what public officials at the municipal, state and federal level do on behalf of their municipal, state and federal governments are hereby invited to show up at either city halls or state houses across the nation promptly at the start of business during any given weekday, not including weekends, to experience what it is like to lead. 

Those who show up to participate will be welcomed to experience for themselves what it is like to be a municipal or state official for a day on an unpaid ceremonial basis only. 

In all cases, public safety related positions as well as all federal positions at every level are excluded.

Photo: Montpelier City Hall

For example, in Vermont, as elsewhere across the nation, any person eighteen (18) years of age or older who shows up promptly at their city hall at the start of business on any given weekday during the month of April, on a first come first served basis, will be able to be either Mayor, City Manager or any number of department heads on an unpaid ceremonial basis for that day. 

Due to the public safety issues involved, however, the positions of police and fire chiefs as well as animal control officers are excluded.   

Photo: Vermont State House in Montpelier

The same goes at the state level as well. Any person eighteen (18) years of age or older who shows up promptly at the Vermont State House at the start of business on any given weekday during the month of April, on a first come first served basis, will be able to be either Governor, Lt. Governor or any number of state agency or department heads on an unpaid ceremonial basis for that day. Public safety related positions at the state level are excluded as well of course. 

It is your government, come find out what leading at the municipal and state level of government is all about.

For more information about this governmental leadership educational mentoring program, please contact your local municipal city hall or regional state government office during regular business hours.

###