Essentials of Municipal Government

Essentials of Municipal Government

2023 Election Cycle

The School of Government’s Center for Public Leadership and Governance and our partner organization, the North Carolina League of Municipalities, are honored to offer our biennial school for newly elected municipal officials, Essentials of Municipal Government. This course will help those newly elected to office successfully transition from campaigning to governing.  

On the campaign trail, you make speeches and shake hands; you make commitments and promise good things for your citizens. Once elected, you take an oath of office to uphold the laws and the Constitution of our state and our nation; the scope of your responsibilities can seem daunting. In this two-day course, you will learn the following:

  • The fundamentals of municipal government law, authority, and practice
  • The core functions of municipal government and the importance of your town charter
  • The role of the elected body and your role as one of its members
  • The legal boundaries of ethics and transparency
  • The exemplary habits of a high-performing governing board, which include building positive relationships with staff and external partners who influence life in your communities

Essentials of Municipal Government also provides an excellent opportunity for incumbents to learn about newer elements of laws affecting municipal governance. It also fulfills the mandatory Ethics training requirement. All participants will gain a deeper appreciation of the value of governing at the municipal level and the importance of developing the skills and behaviors that lead to effective local government leadership. Participants especially appreciate getting to know other elected officials from across their regions and learning from each other’s experiences.

This engaging course includes role-plays, small group discussions, peer-to-peer insights, and practical tips and tools for navigating the municipal governing environment. Dates and location for the upcoming program cycle are:

  • Jan 11–12 – The Grandover Hotel, High Point
  • Jan 18–19 – UNC Wilmington
  • Jan 25–26 – Rocky Mount Event Center
  • Feb 15–16 – Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park
  • Feb 22–23 – Chapel Hill, School of Government (Hybrid)

Find hotel information for each location under the “Registration” tab.

  • Greensboro, NC
    January 11 - 12, 2024
    Grandover Resort & Spa
    1000 Club Rd
    Greensboro, NC 27407
    View Cancellation Policy
    Course participants who cancel their registration on or before January 03, 2024 will receive a full refund. No refund will be made for cancellations on or after January 04, 2024, but you will receive a transferrable credit to be used within 12 months. Click here to view the School’s full cancellation and refund policy.
    View Hotel Information

    A hotel block has been reserved at a special rate for our group and reservations can be made at the link HERE. Make sure to book your room before December 11, 2023 to receive the special rate. Please contact the Grandover at 336-294-1800 if you have any questions regarding your accommodations. 

    $350.00
    Registration and payment for this course grants access for a single attendee. In order to register a group of attendees, please register each person individually. If you have questions, please contact our registration office at registration@sog.unc.edu or 919.966.4414.
  • Wilmington, NC
    January 18 - 19, 2024
    UNC Wilmington Warwick Center
    601 College Rd
    Wilmington, NC 28403
    View Cancellation Policy
    Course participants who cancel their registration on or before January 10, 2024 will receive a full refund. No refund will be made for cancellations on or after January 11, 2024, but you will receive a transferrable credit to be used within 12 months. Click here to view the School’s full cancellation and refund policy.
    View Hotel Information
    A list of hotels near the venue is included below. Reservations can be made at the link posted or by calling the designated hotel. Each are in close proximity to UNC Wilmington and are easily accessible from the venue. 
     
    $350.00
    Registration and payment for this course grants access for a single attendee. In order to register a group of attendees, please register each person individually. If you have questions, please contact our registration office at registration@sog.unc.edu or 919.966.4414.
  • Rocky Mount, NC
    January 25 - 26, 2024
    Rocky Mount Event Center
    285 NE Main Street
    Rocky Mount, NC 27801
    View Cancellation Policy
    Course participants who cancel their registration on or before January 17, 2024 will receive a full refund. No refund will be made for cancellations on or after January 18, 2024, but you will receive a transferrable credit to be used within 12 months. Click here to view the School’s full cancellation and refund policy.
    View Hotel Information
    A list of hotels near the venue is included below. Reservations can be made at the link posted or by calling the designated hotel. Each are in close proximity to the Rocky Mount Event Center and are easily accessible from Hwy 64. 
    $350.00
    Registration and payment for this course grants access for a single attendee. In order to register a group of attendees, please register each person individually. If you have questions, please contact our registration office at registration@sog.unc.edu or 919.966.4414.
  • Asheville, NC
    February 15 - 16, 2024
    Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park
    43 Town Square Blvd
    Asheville, NC 28803
    View Cancellation Policy
    Course participants who cancel their registration on or before February 07, 2024 will receive a full refund. No refund will be made for cancellations on or after February 08, 2024, but you will receive a transferrable credit to be used within 12 months. Click here to view the School’s full cancellation and refund policy.
    View Hotel Information

    A hotel block has been created for our group at a special rate and reservations can be made at the link HERE. Make sure to book your room before January 16, 2024 to receive the special rate. Please contact Hilton AVL Biltmore Park at 828-209-2700 if you have any questions regarding your reservation.

    $350.00
    Registration and payment for this course grants access for a single attendee. In order to register a group of attendees, please register each person individually. If you have questions, please contact our registration office at registration@sog.unc.edu or 919.966.4414.
  • Chapel Hill, NC
    This course is also available online.
    February 22 - 23, 2024
    UNC School of Government
    400 South Road
    Chapel Hill, NC 27514
    View Cancellation Policy
    Course participants who cancel their registration on or before February 14, 2024 will receive a full refund. No refund will be made for cancellations on or after February 15, 2024, but you will receive a transferrable credit to be used within 12 months. Click here to view the School’s full cancellation and refund policy.
    View Hotel Information

    A hotel block has been reserved at a special rate for our group and reservations can be made at the link HERE. Mention group code "EMG" or "Essentials of Municipal Government" when booking online or over the phone. Make sure to book your room before January 31, 2024 to receive the special rate. Please contact Tru by Hilton directly at 984-291-7200 if you have any questions regarding your accommodations. 

    $350.00
    Registration and payment for this course grants access for a single attendee. In order to register a group of attendees, please register each person individually. If you have questions, please contact our registration office at registration@sog.unc.edu or 919.966.4414.
EMG Agenda 2024 (pdf, 164 KB)
For all registration questions, resetting passwords, or login issues please contact:

Dale Zuckert

Assistant Registrar
919.966.4414
For questions regarding course details, including location, schedule, materials, and continuing education credits, please contact:

Julia Hermanas

Program Associate, Management and Leadership Group
919.962.2771
James E. Holshouser Jr. Distinguished Professor of Public Administration and Government
Manager of Elected Official Programming, Center for Public Leadership and Governance