• About
  • Contact

Virginia Municipal League

Building Better Communities Through Sound Government

BETTER COMMUNITIES THROUGH SOUND GOVERNMENT

  • Organization
    • About the League
      • Strategic vision and goals
      • Benefits of VML Membership
      • Directions to the VML office
    • Board of Directors
      • Executive Meeting Packets
      • Serving on the Executive Board
      • VML Past Presidents
    • League Staff
    • Local Government Members
      • Benefits of VML Membership
    • Affiliate Organizations
    • VML/VACo APCO Steering Committee
      • VML/VACO APCo Steering Committee Board
    • Partners
  • Member Resources
    • ARPA Resources
    • Publications
    • Presentations
    • General Forum
    • Account
    • Reset Password
  • Education
    • Events >
      • 2023 Local Government Day
      • Virginia Local Elected Officials Conference
      • Annual Conference >
        • 2022 Annual Conference
        • 2021 Annual Conference
        • 2020 Annual Conference
        • Past Annual Conference Programs
        • Future Conference Dates
      • Virginia Mayors Institute >
        • 2022 Virginia Mayors Institute
        • 2021 Virginia Mayors Institute
        • 2020 Virginia Mayors Institute
      • 2022 Hurricane Season Briefing
      • ARPA Monitoring & Reporting Compliance Webinar
    • Essay Contest
      • Essay Contest Past Winners
    • Civility. Respect. Solutions.
    • American Rescue Plan Act Resources
    • Innovation Awards
      • Innovation Award Past Winners
    • Racial Inequality – Local Statements
    • Wallerstein Scholarship
  • Advocacy
    • 2023 General Assembly
      • 2022 GA Resources
      • 2021 GA Resources
    • 2023 Local Government Day
      • 2022 Local Government Day
      • 2021 Local Government Day
    • Legislative Committee
    • Legislative Program
    • Policy Committees
      • Community & Economic Development
      • Finance
      • General Laws
      • Human Development & Education
      • Infrastructure, Transportation & Environmental Quality
    • Policy Statements
  • Media
    • VTC Magazine
    • eNews Newsletter
    • VML Voice Podcast
      • Subscribe: The VML Voice
    • Get the VML APP
    • Legal Resources
    • Local Officials’ Resources Series
    • Other Publications
    • News Releases
  • Calendar
  • Classifieds
    • Job Openings
    • Create Jobs
  • Business Engagement
    • Community Business Membership
      • Community Business Members Listings
    • Advertising with VML
Home / Organization / About the League

About the League

View our video: “Get to Know the Virginia Municipal League: The ‘Go-To Folks’ for Local Governments”

Since it was founded in 1905, the Virginia Municipal League’s history has been linked inextricably to the fortunes of its member local governments.  The league and its member cities, towns and counties have worked together to improve the quality of life in communities across Virginia.

VML is a non-profit, non-partisan association.  The authority for the organization derives from Section 15.2-1303 of the state code, which authorizes the governing bodies of political subdivisions to form associations to promote their welfare.

View the League’s Constitution >

Its official name before 1960 was the League of Virginia Municipalities.  The membership has grown from 16 in 1921, when VML hired its first staff members, to 210 today.  That number includes 38 cities, 170 towns and eight counties.

The league has a full-time staff of 11.  In addition, it contracts for services to assist with research and advocacy efforts. The league’s headquarters is located at 13 E. Franklin Street in downtown Richmond.

An article written in the early 1930s by Newport News Mayor Samuel R. Buxton, the first president of the league, spelled out what the founders of the organization hoped to accomplish.  Buxton described the league’s mission as follows:

  • to bring into a united whole the several cities and sections of the Commonwealth for the larger glory of Virginia;
  • to exchange ideas and experiences to secure a better administration of municipal affairs; and
  • to secure helpful legislation.

In the article Buxton explained that in 1905, when the league was founded, the progress and development of Virginia was impeded by sectional selfishness and independence.  “The great Southwest (Virginia) was the big bad wolf of whom the other sections of the state, from a political and economic stand-point, stood in awe,” Buxton wrote.

Since that time, the league has evolved into a voluntary nonprofit, nonpartisan organization created to improve local government in urban communities; an agency designed to promote the interest and welfare of municipalities through investigation, discussion and cooperative effort; an organization designed to promote closer relations between cities, towns and urban counties; a clearinghouse for information; a municipal consulting service; and a medium through which local officials of all cities, towns and urban counties can cooperate in improving municipal administration.  Its primary mission throughout its history has been to serve as a legislative advocate for Virginia localities.

Although the purpose of the league has been expressed in many different ways over time, its underlying missions and programs have remained constant.  Among the important services provided by VML over the years are representation of local governments before the General Assembly, training of newly elected local government officials, production of educational and networking events, provision of responsive member inquiry services, and publication of online resources, newsletters and a monthly magazine for members.

Over the years, the league has been well served by exceptional leaders and high quality staff.  In return, residents of Virginia and local democracy have benefited greatly from the organization.  Its success has been founded on the concept of local governments working together for the betterment of the lives of their citizens – finding new and better ways to deliver essential services and making sure that people have the governmental resources necessary to live safe and productive lives.

Virginia local governments have earned national reputations for their effective and efficient delivery of services.  From providing safe drinking water, educating children and keeping people safe, to paving streets, operating libraries and ensuring that people with mental disabilities live as fulfilling lives as possible, local governments make a difference in the lives of Virginians.  VML is proud to play a part in that continuing legacy.

  • About the League
    • Strategic vision and goals
    • Benefits of VML Membership
    • Directions to the VML office
  • Board of Directors
    • Executive Meeting Packets
    • Serving on the Executive Board
  • Local Government Members
  • League Staff
  • Affiliate Organizations
  • VML/VACo APCO Steering Committee
  • Partners

Executive Committee Application

Application to serve on the Executive Committee >
Comments and questions about this website or the data provided may be addressed to Manuel Timbreza
©2023 Virginia Municipal League
Virginia Municipal League
P.O. Box 12164, Richmond, VA 23241
13 E. Franklin St., Richmond, VA 23219
804-649-8471

Copyright © 2023 · Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Terms and Conditions