Local Elected Leaders Academy
 

Recognition

Participants in the Local Elected Leaders Academy who complete specified courses and hours of attendance will be recognized at the annual conferences of the NC League of Municipalities and the NC Association of County Commissioners.

What is the recognition program about?
The Local Elected Leaders Academy (LELA) recognition program is designed to encourage and
recognize your commitment to lifelong learning.

Who is eligible?

  1. The program is open to all mayors, council members, county board chairs, and county
    commissioners.
  2. Elected officials do not have to consistently be in office to receive recognition for
    participation.
  3. Newly elected officials are automatically enrolled when they register for the Essentials
    of Municipal Government or Essentials of County Government orientation program.

What counts for recognition credit?

  1. Attendance at any LELA program offered by the School of Government
  2. Attendance at National League of Cities (NLC)/National Association of Counties (NACo)
    national meetings and NC League of Municipalities (NCLM)/NC Association of County
    Commissioners (NCACC) state meetings
  3. Service on NCACC/NCLM steering and advisory committees; service as a NCACC/NCLM board member or officer; attendance at district meetings and legislative updates
  4. Attendance at National League of Cities or National Association of Counties leadership
    programs, webinars, or online programs.

What are the levels of recognition? 

(click here for detailed description of credits available)

  • A Practitioner has completed a minimum of 50 credits (18 orientation credits + 20
    focused in‐depth credits + 12 elective credits)
  • A Master has completed a minimum of 66 credits (18 orientation credits + 30
    focused in‐depth credits + 18 elective credits)
  • A Mentor has completed a minimum of 82 credits (18 orientation credits + 40
    focused in‐depth credits + 24 elective credits)

 Recognition Levels and Credits

Level

Orientation

Focused
In-depth Programs

NCLM and NCACC Programs

Total

Practitioner

18

20

12

50

Master

18

30

18

66

Mentor

18

40

24

82

For municipal officials, credit can be earned for programs/service beginning in
January 2008 or later; credit will not be given for programs/service prior to that
date. For county officials, credit can be earned for programs/service beginning in January
2009 or later; credit will not be given for programs/service prior to that date.

Documentation

  1. The NCACC and NCLM will maintain participation records for their respective members.
  2. Once a year, members of the LELA Steering Committee will meet to review credits and make determinations of recognition levels.
  3. Qualifying officials will be recognized each year at their respective annual conferences.
  4. Certificates will be issued jointly by the School of Government and NCLM/NCACC.