A mayor is the head of a municipal government. In many cities, mayors are elected directly by citizens in a local election, or appointed by the city council. They often have ceremonial roles but may also make decisions between council meetings, and are referred to as “His or Her Worship” while in office. Some cities use a system of council-manager government, in which case the mayor is a ceremonial figurehead with a limited role.
In their annual State of the City speeches, mayors highlight accomplishments and lay out plans for the future. They can cover a variety of topics including civic engagement, education, and the economy. Mayors are increasingly using their speeches to address national issues that impact their cities such as the Trump administration’s policy on birthright citizenship, expressing views on immigration and the Paris Climate Accords.
Mayors need to understand their audience and tailor their message to the needs of their city. For example, a working class community may be interested in learning about the cost savings from a new city program or their children’s safety at a local playground. Similarly, a younger demographic might be more concerned about their city’s digital infrastructure or whether there are enough parks for them to enjoy. Having an understanding of the diversity of your audience will help you shape your mayor speech.