Education takes top priority with strategic goals team

By Todd McGee
Director of Communications

Making the transition from campaigning to governing is difficult for many newly elected officials. The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners aims to make that move as easy as possible.

NCACC Policy Advocate James Bennett (pointing to board) and other members of Advocates ‘R’ Us review the strategic goals team’s project and task ideas with members of the NCACC Board of Directors during the Board’s Dec. 8 meeting in Raleigh. (Photo by Todd McGee)

Strengthening county leadership and board development was one of five goals adopted by the NCACC Board of Directors in October as a result of the Association’s four-year strategic planning and visioning process.

After the Board formally adopted its goals, NCACC Executive Director David F. Thompson charged the staff with the business of creating an implementation plan to achieve the various goals.

Association staff was divided into five teams, with each team tackling one of the goals. This article is the second in a series that will examine what each team is envisioning to help achieve the Board of Directors’ adopted vision.

James Bennett, NCACC policy advocate, is team leader for the staff group – “Advocates ‘R’ Us” – tackling the issue of commissioner education and board development. According to Bennett, former Anson County assistant manager, new commissioners need to know that they are not alone.

Bennett says his team envisions creating a mentoring network, comprising current and former commissioners, NCACC Board members and past presidents, that will provide support for the newly elected commissioners.

“We want every commissioner to know that the Association has their best interests at heart in helping them become the best commissioner they can be,” said Bennett. “We want to reassure them they are not alone, that there is a strong support network out there.”

The Association will also work with the Institute of Government and other interested educational partners to develop for commissioners additional training opportunities, such as regional conferences, workshops or day-long seminars. Bennett says his group envisions a kind of “continuing education” program for commissioners to keep them abreast of changes.

Board development is also another critical issue the group will be tackling. Bennett says that many newly elected commissioners believe they are going to save the world – or at least their county – by themselves. When they realize the importance of working as a unit rather than as an individual, they can begin to accomplish great things for their counties, Bennett said.

“Once commissioners realize they can’t do anything by themselves, then they can really start moving forward in helping their county,” he said.