LELA Recognition Program

• LELA Recognition Program recipients
• Upcoming events that award credits toward LELA Recognition Program
• More information is available on the School of Government Web site

Through LELA, the NCACC and School of Government have established for individual county commissioners a three-level recognition program, which will help the Association achieve one of its strategic goals, "strengthen county leadership and board development." County commissioners began earning credits toward achieving official recognition for their commitment to lifelong learning with the kickoff of the December 2008 Essentials of County Government program.

The recognition and credit schedule is as follows:

Click here (PDF) for a detailed description of credits available, and click here for more information.

Orientation level courses include the Essentials of County Government schools. Focused, in-depth programs include School of Government sponsored programs, Regional LeaderShops, mini-conferences and pre-conference workshops. NCACC-sponsored programs include the NCACC Annual Conference, NACo conferences, district meetings and legislative updates. In addition, members of the NCACC Executive Committee and state committees can earn NCACC-sponsored credits toward the Mentor recognition level.

LELA has three overall goals: to enhance the capacity of elected officials to lead and govern their boards, councils and communities; to equip elected officials with the knowledge and tools to practice and preserve democracy and representative government; and to prepare elected officials to assume future leadership responsibilities within their communities, associations and throughout the state.

A core value of LELA is the understanding that government is increasingly complex and commissioners do not govern alone. Public problems extend beyond historical and geographic boundaries. Commissioners want to think strategically and work with other governmental and community leaders to craft solutions. With this value in mind, much of LELA’s programming is open to both municipal and county officials.

Courses may be delivered to participants using a variety of methods, including face-to-face, video, teleconferencing and distance learning.

Certificates will be issued jointly by the Institute of Government and the NCACC and will be presented during the Association’s Annual Conference.

An advisory committee comprised of county and municipal elected officials and School of Government faculty and staff was appointed to provide guidance in developing the LELA program. NCACC representatives were First Vice President Mary Accor of Cleveland County, Cumberland County Chairman Breeden Blackwell, a past president of the NCACC, and Cabarrus County Commissioner Joni Juba.