County Leadership Curriculum
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
- June 6, 2024, at 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET | Click here to register
- 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
Congress Reaches Agreement on Major Housing Reform Package: What Counties Need to Know
Join us to learn what this legislation means for your county and how NACo advocacy helped shape the final language.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, July 2
Join NACo for a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties.
Strategies for Sustainable Retiree Health Benefits
This session will provide practical guidance for navigating the rapidly evolving Group Medicare landscape while balancing affordability, compliance, and retiree satisfaction.
What to Know Before You Go to NACo's Annual Conference
This webinar will connect you with NACo’s Membership Chair and staff, who will share tips for success and program highlights at the 2026 Annual Conference.
Island-Strong Finances: How Kauai County Built Resilience from the Inside Out
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
Hawaii's counties carry a unique weight: the responsibility of serving tight-knit communities while managing the financial pressures that come with island life. For Kauai County, the Garden Island, that responsibility has meant building a financial foundation strong enough to weather uncertainty from the inside out. With a $550 million budget and a community navigating rising housing costs, shifting economic drivers, and the ongoing demands of core public services, every dollar counts.
In this session, Kauai County Treasurer Nancee Robles shares how her office partnered with three+one to generate over $20 million for county programs. Join NACo and three+one's Vice President of Client Servicing, Mike Ablowich, alongside Treasurer Robles for a conversation about what it means to protect taxpayer dollars, serve your community with integrity, and what counties across the country can learn from Kauai's approach.
This webinar is brought to you by NACo EDGE, establishing people, purchasing, and performance cost-saving solutions that can be applied to counties nationwide. EDGE is owned by NACo, advised by county leaders and 100% focused on solutions for U.S. Counties. Learn more about NACo EDGE here.
For more information, visit the event page!
Grassroots Advocacy Series: In-District Advocacy During Congressional Recess
This session will walk through NACo’s new recess advocacy guide and provide step-by-step guidance on engaging members of Congress while they are in their districts.
Questions?
For any questions or concerns about the program, please reach out to arathi@naco.org.