Local Elected Leaders Academy

Programs

Two levels of programming are offered through the Leaders Academy:

• Offered in alternating years, the Essentials of County Government and Essentials of Municipal Government courses provide an introduction to North Carolina local government. 
• Focused, in-depth courses provide local elected officials with the knowledge and tools they need to lead and govern their communities.

Upcoming Programs

For a complete list of this year’s Leaders Academy programs, visit our Calendar page.

Regional LeaderShop

Local Finance:  Making Sense of Annual Financial Statements

As stewards of the public trust, local elected officials must put in place the funding and infrastructure their community needs to thrive. This engaging one-day workshop is designed to help veteran city council members and county commissioners understand how to read annual financial statements. Elected officials will learn the right questions to ask and how the decisions they make impact their community’s future. Participants are encouraged to invite their managers, administrators, and finance directors to join them for this workshop.

This program will conclude with a 2-hour segment on Ethics for Elected Officials, which meets the new statutory requirement for city and county elected officials. For more information about the legislation requiring ethics training for local elected officials, visit the School of Government's ethics resource site.

Essentials of Municipal Government

Essentials of Municipal Government is designed to help elected officials understand the basics of municipal government and identify strategies to address the challenges in governing North Carolina's municipalities. Topics include making the transition from campaigning to governing, carrying out the responsibilities of an elected official, and understanding key elements of municipal law, finance, and administration. Instructors include School of Government faculty, NC League of Municipalities staff, and local government officials.

Sessions include:
                                 • Ethics for Elected Officials (fulfills legislative requirement)
                                 • Small Town Personnel Administration
                                 • Infrastructure and Environment
                                 • Planning and Development

This program will conclude with a 2-hour segment on Ethics for Elected Officials, which meets the new statutory requirement for city and county elected officials. For more information about the legislation requiring ethics training for local elected officials, visit the School of Government's ethics resource site.