About

The County Leadership Curriculum is a program dedicated to enhancing the professional development and leadership skills of Counties officials and staff. Recognizing the evolving landscape of Counties governance, NACo’s curriculum is designed to reflect the continuous growth essential for effective leadership. 

Structure and Tracks

The CLC offers a structured learning experience through three specialized tracks with training spanning over two years. Workshops are held at NACo’s Legislative Conference, Western Interstate Region conference and the Annual Conference. In order to successfully complete the program, attendees must attend a minimum of 16 workshops within a two-year period and must successfully complete Robert’s Rules 101 and 102, Financial Management 101 and 102 and 12 other workshops of their choice. Participants can satisfy the required number of workshops through in-person sessions or online sessions.

Track One

Governance and Operations

Dive into the nuts and bolts of county government through this track. These sessions provide officials with comprehensive insights into county government and its inner workings. This track equips participants with the knowledge needed to navigate the intricacies of county operations. This track will explore the intricate parts of county government such as county budgets, parliamentary procedures, disaster preparedness and more. 

Track Two

Personal Development

Explore the art of leadership with Track Two. Designed to elevate individual leadership capabilities through tailored topics to strengthen professional and leadership traits. Workshop topics include building consensus, mastering change management, facultative leadership and more to help strengthen create effective county leaders. 

Track Three

Communication and Delivery

Acquire tools for effective public communication, a critical skill in modern governance. This track enhances participants' communication proficiency, allowing them to engage effectively with the public and navigate the challenges of communication in today's digital age. Session topics range from media relations, message development, social media usage and more.

In-Person Sessions

Annual Conference 

Track One 

  • Robert's Rules 102 | Advancing Your Meeting Mastery for Effective Governance
    • 111-113, 1st floor | 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. | July 14
  • Financial Management 101 | Unveiling the Essentials of County Budgeting and Financial Management for Elected Officials 
    • 122-123, 1st floor | 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. | July 14
  • Navigating Personal Safety: Keeping You and Your Sphere Safe
    • 122-123, 1st floor | 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. | July 13

Track Two

  • Fostering Civility in Public Discourse Navigating Personal Safety: Keeping You and Your Sphere Safe
    • 122-123, 1st floor | 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. | July 14

Track Three

  • Media Relations Mastery: Navigating Press Interactions
    • 3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m | July 15

Upcoming Workshops

Webinar Sessions 

Track One 

  • Robert's Rules 101 | Rule the Room: Mastering Robert’s Rules for Effective Governance
  • Financial Management 102 | Beyond the Balance Sheet: Advanced Strategies for County Budgeting and Financial Mastery 
  • County Chronicles | Unlocking the Roles that Shape County Government: County Planners

Track Three

  • Mastering Crisis Communication: Strategies and Tactics for Effective Response

Upcoming Webinars

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Webinar

Robert's Rules 102: Advancing Your Meeting Mastery for Effective Governance

Learn to minimize disruptions, establish proper procedures and apply Robert's Rules to real-life parliamentary examples.

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Conference

NACo AI Central Regional Forum

Hennepin County, Minnesota​

The NACo AI Regional Forum series is convening local government elected officials, appointed officers, department heads, and staff across different geographical regions to provide an educational, hands-on symposium on the landscape of artificial intelligence.

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Webinar

Inside Washington: County Impacts from the White House & Congress, September 18

Join NACo’s Government Affairs team for week eight of a biweekly series on key developments from the White House and Congress. Discussions will focus on policies and actions that directly impact counties — from federal funding and regulatory changes to intergovernmental partnerships. Tune in for an inside look at how these evolving federal dynamics may shape county priorities, responsibilities and operations.

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Webinar

Enhancing Child Welfare: Best Practices for Measuring and Improving Outcomes

Join us for an insightful webinar focusing on child welfare specifically designed for county governments, with lessons that can be applied to other behavioral health programs. We will delve into evidence-based practices, informed funding decisions, cost efficiencies, and effective program management. Key areas of discussion will include out-of-home placements, prevention services, and reunification services.

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Webinar

New BRECC Toolkit: Coal Communities’ Pathways for Economic Diversification

Join the BRECC National Network to learn how coal counties are diversifying their economies through increasing housing supply, providing innovative workforce development opportunities and revitalizing downtowns. 

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Webinar

Innovative Health Plan Strategies for County Governments

Please join Craig Ulrich, Surest Key Account Executive with United Healthcare, to explore alternative health plan approaches that prioritize price transparency and promote the use of high-value providers, including models like the Surest Health Plan.

Questions?

For any questions or concerns about the program, please reach out to arathi@naco.org.