Events & Training

A core function of the Association is to provide educational opportunities to meet the needs of members — county commissioners and appointed county staff. The NCACC provides county-related education at conferences, meetings and events, and through online resources utilizing our knowledgeable staff, experts from partner organizations such as the UNC School of Government and other private and nonprofit leaders.

Annual NCACC Events

Annual Conference

The Annual Conference is the NCACC’s premier education and training event each year. Held in locations throughout the state every August, the conference is filled with keynote and concurrent sessions with nationally known speakers who will address hot-button issues, and offers numerous opportunities for networking. At each Annual Conference, the Association elects its officers for the upcoming year. Counties also select the District Directors who will represent their districts on the NCACC Board of Directors.

County Advocacy Days

County commissioners and other county leaders are invited to join the Association in Raleigh for a special two-day event. To promote commissioner-legislator connections, the NCACC hosts an evening event showcasing county stories, initiatives, and guest speakers from state leadership. In addition to the evening event, registration includes a legislative briefing program the next morning for coffee and snacks ahead of your visits to the General Assembly.

District Meetings

Each year, NCACC hosts a series of district meetings where county commissioners and other county officials meet to share challenges, successes, and issues impacting counties within the region. These meetings offer county commissioners and staff opportunities to learn about the latest legislative developments in Raleigh, to network with officials from surrounding counties, and learn about the latest NCACC programs and services that benefit counties.

This year, NCACC Executive Director Kevin Leonard will also be in attendance during each meeting to give an Association update and gain insight from the representing counties. During the “NCACC County Conversations Tour” of District Meetings, the Association will ask each county to list the top three major challenges and top three major accomplishments.

Trainings & Classes

100 Counties Prepared Training

The 100 Counties Prepared training is a partnership among NCACC, NC Emergency Management (NCEM) and Duke Energy to equip county commissioners and county leadership with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to effectively lead during emergency situations.

Learn More About 100 Counties Prepared

Leading Your County Governing Board

Leading Your County Governing Board: An Orientation for County Board Chairs provides an overview on the legal responsibilities and duties for chairs and vice chairs, how to run a meeting, and tips for building and maintaining effective relationships.

While this program is designed for board chairs and vice chairs, all commissioners can benefit from the training. County managers, clerks to the board, and county attorneys are also encouraged to attend with their board chairs.

Learn More About LYCGB

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Essentials of County Government

After the November elections in even-numbered years, the UNC School of Government and the NCACC jointly hold a two-day orientation to county government in three locations across the state. This program is designed for newly elected officials, but veteran elected officials and managers are also encouraged to attend. The session also includes a two-hour ethics training session designed to satisfy the requirements of N.C.G.S. 160A-87, which requires board members to receive ethics training upon taking office as a commissioner and within one year of being elected or re-elected to the office of commissioner.

View More About Essentials of County Government

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Local Elected Leaders Academy

The NCACC partners with the School of Government to provide a recognition program through the Local Elected Leaders Academy (LELA). LELA helps the Association achieve its strategic goals, including “enhance county leadership capabilities to address challenges, provide efficient and effective governance, and develop future leaders.”

Learn More About LELA

Ethics Training

Ethics Training for County Commissioners

The School of Government has made available on its website a resource guide on the code of ethics. Click here for more information from UNC SOG.

NCACC provides ethics training every other year in odd years at the Annual Conference, and UNC SOG offers training at various points in the year.

Learn More About Ethics Training

Affiliate & Related Organizations

In addition to NCACC, there are many professional associations that work with local government staff across North Carolina.

Contact Information

For more information about the NCACC’s educational opportunities, please contact Education and Training Manager Christine Wilks at (919) 715-6245.