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
Advocacy 101 for Counties: Maximizing Your Impact During the NACo Legislative Conference
Learn how to prepare for Hill meetings, effectively advocate for NACo priorities, and translate county experiences into clear federal policy asks.
The Current State of Student Debt and Forgiveness
This webinar is designed for county HR and leadership teams seeking practical ways to support employees struggling with student debt.
Over 9 million public service workers, including full-time county employees, are eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Yet fewer than 3 percent have successfully received relief.
The issue is not eligibility. It is awareness, complexity, and follow-through.
Please join us as we speak with student debt forgiveness expert Tony Raffa, who will clarify today’s student debt landscape, including:
- What recent policy and executive actions mean for public sector employees
- How Department of Education changes affect forgiveness eligibility, timelines, and compliance
- Which student debt relief programs do employees actually qualify for today
- The current status of the SAVE program
- Common application errors that delay or derail forgiveness
- Rising delinquency and repayment restart risks
- What HR teams need to know about collections, wage garnishment notices, and employer responsibilities
Attendees will also see how a new student debt navigation tool helps employees estimate their potential forgiveness, avoid costly mistakes, and reduce annual payments by an average of $2,244.
For HR teams, this means a scalable way to offer meaningful financial support without adding administrative burden.
What to Know Before You Go to NACo’s Legislative Conference
Join NACo’s Membership Chair and staff to learn ways to maximize your experience at the NACo Legislative Conference.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, February 5
Join NACo for a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties.
NACo Public Health Leadership Academy Application Information Session
This webinar will review the key information applicants should know to apply to the Public Health Leadership Academy and provide an opportunity for applicants to ask questions.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, February 12
Join NACo for a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties.
Questions?
For any questions or concerns about the program, please reach out to arathi@naco.org.