Leadership & Governance

NACo’s Bylaws govern how the association is run, detailing its object and purpose and the structure and responsibilities of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee and the membership.

BYLAWS - ADOPTED JULY 2020

The NACo board of directors governs the strategic goals, policies and priorities of the association, as well as oversees the association’s policies, business and property. 

The Board of Directors:

• Shall have the general supervision, management, and control of the business and property
• Shall determine the dues, fees, services and benefits for each category of membership, within the specific parameters and limitations outlined in the Bylaws
• May determine interim policy decisions arising between annual conferences
• Shall elect and appoint an audit committee consisting of five members from its membership

As outlined in the Bylaws, the role of the President includes: 

• Be the chief elected official
• Preside at all meetings of the board, executive committee, and the annual business meeting
• Supervise all business of the association with the Executive Director
• Appoint members of all committees except those positions designated by these Bylaws
• Consult with the other officers on all appointments
• Assign to other officers’ specific areas of responsibility as needed 

In practice, the duties of the president have included:

• Act as the primary spokesperson for the association, articulating the organization’s goals, positions, and policies to the public, media, and other external parties
• Represent the association as the primary ambassador at events organized by state associations, affiliates, and other partner entities, fostering relationships and promoting the interests of counties
• Delegate responsibilities among Officers and Regional Representatives for participation at events held by state associations, affiliates, and partners, ensuring a presence that aligns with the association's objectives
• Assign officers and regional representatives as executive committee liaisons to NACo committees, abiding by the Bylaws or board policies that govern these designations, to facilitate seamless communication and policy implementation
• Appoint the leadership of policy steering committees, determine the membership of non-policy committees, and select representatives for external stakeholder committees.

As outlined in the Bylaws, the role of the first vice president includes:

• Shall serve as the chair of the finance committee, overseeing the financial affairs of the association. This includes the development and implementation of financial policies, the review and approval of budgets, and the maintenance of comprehensive and accurate financial records

In practice, the duties of the first vice president have included:

• Serve as a member of NACo EDGE advisory board
• Undertake additional responsibilities as delegated by the NACo President.

In practice, the duties of the second vice president have included:

• Serve as the Executive Committee Liaison to the Audit Committee
• Undertake additional responsibilities as delegated by the NACo President.

In practice, the duties of the immediate past president have included:

• Serve as the Executive Committee Liaison to the Defined Contribution and Retirement Advisory Committee (DCR), responsible primarily for oversight of the NACo-Nationwide Deferred Compensation Program.
• Undertake additional responsibilities as delegated by the NACo President.

As outlined in the Bylaws, the role of the Regional Representatives includes:

• Shall provide input to the President and the other Officers on behalf of their regions, provide close contact with counties within their regions, keep members informed of association activities, and assist in membership recruitment and retention in the regions

In practice, the duties of the Regional Representatives have included:

• Offer guidance and input to the Officers on regional matters, ensuring that the unique needs and perspectives of member counties within the region are considered in the association's decision-making processes
• Keep members within the region informed of NACo initiatives, policies, and opportunities, acting as a conduit for information and as an advocate for the association's mission and goals
• Assist with membership outreach efforts to bolster engagement, encourage retention, and recruit new members, thereby enhancing the association's regional and national impact
• Host monthly virtual meetings for the region, creating a platform for discussion, knowledge exchange, and collaborative action among county members. These calls are paused during the months when the Legislative Conference and the Annual Conference and Exposition take place, at which time the Regional Representative lead in person regional caucus meetings

The NACo membership elects officers for the association each year. The election of the second vice president is usually the position that is contested. These elections occur during the business meeting at the NACo Annual Conference. During the business meeting, counties also vote on resolutions that set NACo legislative and association policy for the coming year. 

Each county is allotted votes based on the amount of dues that it pays. Dues are based on population, and use the 2010 Census numbers.

• Counties with dues of $450 to $1,199 receive one vote.
• Counties with dues of $1,200 to $2,399 receive two votes.
• Counties with dues of $2,400 to $3,599 receive three votes, and so on
• The maximum number of votes a county can receive is 51.

A county must be a member "in good standing" in order to be able to vote. This means that a county's NACo membership dues for that year must be paid. Members wishing to serve as voting delegates on behalf of their county may submit their voting credentials early by choosing to be a voting delegate through the NACo Annual Conference online registration page, or turn in a voting credentials form. Counties must have at least one registration for the virtual Annual Business Meeting to participate in the NACo election.

To facilitate the voting process, we encourage members to authorize one voting delegate per county.

The NACo Credentials Committee, a group of elected county officials appointed by the current NACo president, supervises the election process. The committee ensures the credibility of the election and is charged with resolving disputes about election issues.

Learn more about voting credentials by visiting www.NACo.org/VotingCredentials.

The Credentials Committee

Click here to view the members of the Credentials Committee.

The NACo bylaws also provide for a Parliamentarian, Reading Clerk and Tally Clerk to aid in the election process. These positions are appointed by the NACo president.

Click here to view the members of the Credentials Committee.

The NACo bylaws also provide for a Parliamentarian, Reading Clerk and Tally Clerk to aid in the election process. These positions are appointed by the NACo president.