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
Major Housing Bill Update: What Counties Need to Know About the Updated 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
Join NACo for a timely briefing on the latest version of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which reflects key changes NACo fought for on behalf of county governments nationwide.
Breaking the Cycle: Behavioral Health Diversion Strategies for Counties
This interactive fireside chat brings together county leaders and behavioral health experts to explore how communities are building the diversion infrastructure to change outcomes.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, May 21
Join NACo for a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties.
Protecting and Preparing for Income in Retirement
Friday, May 22, 2026 | 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. ET
This presentation examines how recent Department of Labor guidance is shaping the use of Protected Retirement Income Solutions in Defined Contribution Plans including your NACo Deferred Compensation Program (457b). It highlights Plan fiduciary responsibilities, regulatory safe harbors, and key considerations for you as a Plan Sponsor or Participant in evaluating Lifetime Income Options. Through practical case studies, attendees gain insight into how plan sponsors can implement income‑focused solutions that address participant demand while supporting prudent fiduciary decision‑making. Also, as a participant, should these Lifetime Income Options be a part of my personal financial plan.
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!
From Classroom to County: Leading with High-Performance Results
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
How do county leaders move from theory to transformative action? This webinar features a panel of graduates from the NACo High Performance Leadership Academy who will share real-world examples of the program's 5 essential skills.
- Lead: Fostered cultures of accountability within their local governments
- Organize: Managed complex organizational change
- Collaborate: How they’ve broken down departmental silos
- Deliver: Drive better community outcomes
- Communicate: How to effectively speak the language of the organization across diverse stakeholder groups
Attendees will gain actionable insights on how to apply these high-performance strategies to their own organizations. Whether you are an emerging leader or a seasoned executive, join us to discover how to bridge the gap between leadership potential and measurable impact.
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: Unlocking Tools to Tell Your County Story
This session will highlight how county leaders can leverage NACo tools and resources to effectively engage in federal advocacy.
Questions?
For any questions or concerns about the program, please reach out to arathi@naco.org.