Participation in Governmental, Professional, Technical and Community Organizations.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 350-219
in effect350-219. Participation in Governmental, Professional, Technical and Community Organizations.
1. POLICY. City employees are encouraged to participate in governmental, professional, technical and community organizations for purposes of performing public service and to enhance their job performance and thereby improve the efficiency of city operations.
2. GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES. City department, division and bureau heads shall grant time off with pay up to 32 hours per year to employees appointed or elected to city, county, state or federal boards, commissions or committees for official meetings and functions of such bodies during regularly scheduled working hours. Time off with pay shall be granted only if the employee gives 48 hours notice requesting time off for such activities. Employees may be permitted additional time off with pay beyond 32 hours per year for attendance at meetings for the purpose of carrying out the business of a board, commission or committee or for attending conferences necessary to the efficient discharge of the duties and responsibilities of a board, commission or committee if approved of by the finance and personnel committee upon receipt of a written request from a board, commission or committee requesting such additional time off with pay for an employee. Overtime pay as provided under this chapter shall be allowed if participation on the board, commission or committee is an extension of the employee's regular job.
3. NONGOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES AND PARTICIPATION IN VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES. The department shall establish a volunteer time-off program, develop and implement guidelines for volunteer activities, and provide guidance and direction to city departments concerning the program. A city department, division, or bureau head may grant up to 32 hours of time off with pay per year to employees to attend meetings of professional, technical or community organizations, and to be a mentor in a mentoring program approved by the department. Up to 8 of the 32 hours may be used for non-city sponsored volunteer activities through the program. Permission shall be in writing and shall be granted only if the employee gives 48 hours’ notice requesting time off for such activities. No overtime pay shall be allowed for such activities.
Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-3/CH350-sub9.pdf#page=7Fetched: 10/26/2026