The Local Elected Leaders Academy, a partnership between the UNC School of Government and NCACC, offers local elected officials the knowledge and skills needed to lead and govern their communities.
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,” and “facilitate and enhance relationships, collaboration, and strategic partnerships.”
20 percent discount on LELA course registrations
Through the NCACC’s support of the Center for Public Leadership and Governance, county commissioners receive a 20 percent discount on any Local Elected Leaders Academy (LELA) course that is offered through the UNC School of Government registration system. The code is NCACC-SOG-LELA.
On each course page, click the “Register” tab, then the “Register” button shown under the course fee. Once you have created and/or have logged into the School’s registration portal, enter the code in the discount code field that is listed toward the end of your registrant information page.
LELA Recognition Program
County commissioners are recognized for their participation in both educational programs and service to the Association. The starting place for earning credits is the orientation program, Essentials of County Government. As commissioners continue their education and service, they earn credits toward recognition at 3 levels: Practitioner, Master and Mentor.
LELA Recognition FAQs
- What counts toward recognition?
Commissioners earn credits toward recognition for attending educational opportunities sponsored by the Association and UNC School of Government. The number of credits awarded per program is detailed in this chart, and is advertised in descriptive materials for each program.
Courses (and therefore credits) are categorized as “Orientation,” “Workshops and Programs,” or “NCACC Programs and Service to the Association.” Commissioners must meet the requisite number of credits in each category to receive recognition.
Essentials of County Government is the only program that qualifies for the required 18 “Orientation” credits, so it is required for all levels of recognition.“Workshops and Programs” offerings are typically one day, 6 credit programs offered by the NCACC and/or the UNC School of Government. They may be held in conjunction with other events such as the Association’s Annual Conference, or offered as stand-alone workshops at various times and locations throughout the state.
“Association-Sponsored Programs and Service to the Association” includes events such as the NCACC Annual Conference, County Assembly Day, District Meetings, Legislative Goals Conference, NACo Conferences, and service on NCACC committees and boards.
- What are the benefits of achieving recognition?
Commissioners who achieve recognition on any of the 3 levels are provided a certificate from the NCACC and the UNC School of Government, a lapel pin, and Local Elected Leaders Academy name badge ribbons to display at Association events. The Association also provides a press release to your county to use to announce your achievement to your local media. Commissioners who ascend to the “Master” or “Mentor” levels are formally recognized during a general session at the Association’s Annual Conference.
The Association looks to these recognized commissioners – particularly those at the Mentor level – to serve as ambassadors for the Association. Our partners at the UNC School of Government also look to Mentors to provide guidance and real-world perspective for proposed educational opportunities and training events.
- I have loads of credits. How is it I haven’t achieved any level of recognition?
In many cases, commissioners have earned many credits in the “NCACC Programs and Service” category for participation on steering committees and attendance at NCACC conferences and meetings, but have not attended courses offered by the School of Government or pre-conference workshops that fall under the “Workshops and Programs” category. Please review your course history and the chart below to see where you may need to accrue additional credits.
- What do I have to do to achieve each level of recognition?
The number of credits required in each category before each level of recognition is reached is displayed below. “Mentor” is the highest level that can be achieved. Although there are no continuing requirements to maintain LELA status once it is achieved, the NCACC encourages commissioners to continue to attend both Association-sponsored events, and other Workshops and Programs.
Program Category Credits needed to reach PRACTITIONER level Credits needed to reach MASTER level Credits needed to reach MENTOR level Orientation 18 18 18 Workshops and Programs 18 30 42 Association-Sponsored Programs and Service to Association 12 18 24 - I’ve attended Essentials of County Government in the past. Why am I not getting credit for it?
Please let NCACC know if you attended Essentials but do not have credit. NCACC and the School of Government recently agreed to award Orientation credits for commissioners who attended Essentials prior to December 2008. Previously, a LELA Advisory Board of county and municipal officials concluded that due to significant changes in the programming and content delivered during Essentials of County (or Municipal) Government, credits for LELA courses should not be awarded retroactively. This recent change in awards only applies to Essentials of County Government.
- Can I receive credits for webinars and online training?
Credits are now awarded for webinars, with the number of credits typically following the duration of the training. This change was implemented as many School of Government courses were transitioned online due to COVID-19 and is only applicable to online courses that began after COVID-19.
- Where can I learn about upcoming training opportunities?
Up-to-date calendar listings can be found on the NCACC website and School of Government website. Both organizations also regularly distribute reminders and materials related to various training opportunities.
- Is financial assistance available for LELA courses?
Through the NCACC’s support of the Center for Public Leadership and Governance, county commissioners receive a 20 percent discount on any LELA course that is offered through the UNC School of Government registration system. The code is NCACC-SOG-LELA. On each course page, click the “Register” tab, then the “Register” button shown under the course fee. Once you have created and/or have logged into the School’s registration portal, enter the code in the discount code field that is listed toward the end of your registrant information page.