Keep citizens in the know when you're on the go

For a lot of county commissioners across North Carolina, and indeed the United States, it is getting to be the interesting time of year – and I'm not just talking about budget deliberations and adoption. For many of us without competition in the Mary primaries, the summer represents the beginning of the campaign season.

Many of us are up for election this fall – either to retain our seat on the board of commissioners, or perhaps election to a different office. It is tempting, then, to stick close to the campaign trail this summer. But staying close to home could result in a missed opportunity – both for you as a commissioner and for your county.

In July, the National Association of Counties will hold its Annual Conference in Reno, Nev., followed slightly more than a month later by the NCACC Annual Conference (Aug. 26-29) in Pitt County. Both of these conferences are wonderful networking and educational opportunities for commissioners. As the old saying goes, you won't know if you don't go.

With so many counties struggling to put a budget together, many of us might find it difficult to explain to citizens the value of attending these conferences. That's why it is important for commissioners to be proactive.

If you are planning to attend either or both of these conferences, put your attendance on the agenda at an upcoming board of commissoiners meeting and discuss what you plan to do while you are at the conference. Let your citizens know which workshops you will attend and what you expect to learn so that they will see the value of your attendance. Let them know which NACo steering committee meetings you plan to attend, and learn about the issues that will be discussed at these meetings so that you can present your county's perspective.

If multiple commissioners from your county are attending, coordinate your plans to make sure you attend as many workshops and steering committee meetings as possible.

While you are at the conference, remember your constituents back home. Take good notes and write a diary that can be posted on your county's Web site. Contact your local newspaper and see if the editor would be interested in running your diary, or arrange to call a reporter while you are at the conference to let them know what issues and topics you have learned about. If you are into Twitter or Facebook, post regular updates. In other words, let your constituents know you are hard at work representing their interests.

These are difficult times for counties and county commissioners, but a little planning can go a long way in helping your citizens understand the value of these conferences.