Public Administration Resource Guide: Associations

Since being founded in 1939, the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) has fostered professionalism and promoted education and research in public administration.

Founded in 1967, "The National Academy of Public Administration is an independent, nonpartisan organization chartered by Congress to assist federal, state, and local governments in improving their effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability." The Academy's publications may be browsed by title, however they are not available online. They may be purchased from the NAPA.

The NGA Center for Best Practices provides publications and resources in the areas of: education; environment, energy & transportation; health; homeland security & public safety; and economic, human services & workforce.

The USCM claims to be the "official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more." In addition to information on the activities of the organization, the website links to online reports, videos, and best practice collections on topics such as
community policing.

The GFOA website states that "the purpose of the Government Finance Officers Association is to enhance and promote the professional management of governments for the public benefit by identifying and developing financial policies and practices and promoting them through education, training and leadership."

The website of the MGFOA, which is focused on "the advancement of the profession of public finance in Massachusetts," has membership information, a list of meetings and events, and free full-text of their newletter Dollars & Sense.

"The Massachusetts Municipal Association is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association that provides advocacy, training, publications, research and other services to Massachusetts cities and towns. The MMA is the only statewide organization that brings municipal officials together to establish unified policies, to advocate these policies, and to share information that increases the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of service delivery to community residents."