'Mastering the Media' seminar one of several LELA opportunities

When the going gets tough, are you going toward the door? Or are you rolling with the punches, and answering the tough questions from local media outlets? The NCACC's pre-conference seminar, to be held Aug. 26 in Pitt County, will change for the better the way participants deal with the media by teaching successful strategies that are proven to work during a crisis. "Mastering the Media: How to Get Good News Coverage Even When Things Are Going Bad," is taught by acclaimed media relations strategist and consultant Mark Weaver of Communications Counsel, Inc.

Pre-conference seminar attendees will receive six hours of credit toward recognition for their commitment to lifelong learning through the Local Elected Leaders Academy (LELA) Recognition Program. The program helps the NCACC accomplish one of its five strategic goals, "strengthen county leadership and board development."

For more information on "Mastering the Media," visit www.ncacc.org/countylines/2010/05/ac-pcseminar.html. The seminar is one of several opportunities available to local elected officials.

"Development Finance Toolbox" (Sept. 8, Chapel Hill): N.C. local governments can select from a wide array of financing tools in their efforts to attract and grow businesses, improve real estate, and build community assets. In order to select the right financing approach for your development project, it helps to understand the options. This one-day session will include discussions on municipal bonds, tax increment financing (also known as TIF or project development financing), business improvement districts, place-based incentives, and other mechanisms for providing businesses with greater access to capital. Participants will learn the basics of these mechanisms and discuss examples of their application in N.C. communities. N.C. law and policy will be the primary focus.

There are scholarships available for those in cities/counties that have no funds for training. For more information, visit www.sog.unc.edu/courses/0779/ or contact Carla Stowe at (919) 843-8176.

"Arc of Recovery: Is It for Real?" (Sept. 9 webinar): Save the date for this webinar that will examine the economic recovery and its unequal impacts.

"Strategic Planning: Putting Strategy into Action" (Sept. 23-24): This workshop will provide participants with the tools needed to create a community vision, develop goals and an action plan, measure results and hold the manager and staff accountable. School of Government faculty have lots of experience in this arena, and their work with cities and towns is producing tangible results.

Scholarships are available for this program as well. For more information, visit www.sog.unc.edu/courses/0649/ or contact JoAnn Brewer at (919) 966-4197.

"Balancing Your Budgets in Tough Times" and "Engaging Citizens in the Budget Process" (Oct. 22, Winston-Salem): Elected leaders will face tough decisions in their budgets next year. The easy cuts were made last year, and all of the "low-hanging fruit" has been plucked. The downturn in the economy adds additional pressure. The first pre-conference session held in conjunction with the N.C. League of Municipalities' Annual Conference will lead participants in role-play activities based on real-life budget situations designed to improve understanding of elected officials' leadership role in the budget process, alternatives to consider when cutting services/programs, and options for generating revenues.

The second workshop is designed to help participants involve citizens in the budget process. Many elected officials complain that citizens don't understand the tough decisions facing local government. Involving citizens in the budget process means they are better informed and can give you information about the services and facilities they need and value most. In addition to learning how to make hearings work better, participants will be introduced to a variety of ways to engage citizens including Web-based communication tools; how to use advisory committees; as well as forums and workshops. Finally, participants will hear about ways to positively respond to citizen concerns about the budget.

More information on the seminars will be posted online at www.nclm.org.

Essentials of County Government: Programs have been scheduled for Dec. 8-9 in Asheville, Jan. 12-13 in Charlotte, Jan. 26-27 in New Bern, and Feb. 9-10 in Raleigh.

The Essentials course is an introduction to N.C. county government for new or veteran, elected or appointed county commissioners. Participants will interact with a variety of presenters and with each other to learn about and discuss the challenges counties face and how commissioners can develop an agenda to tackle these challenges. Topics include making the transition from campaigning to governing, carrying out the public responsibilities of a commissioner, and understanding key elements of county law, finance and administration.

For more information on the Essentials program, visit www.sog.unc.edu/courses/0640/ or contact Gail Wilkins at (919) 962-9754.