Essentials of Municipal Government is the premier training program for municipal elected officials in North Carolina. Co-sponsored by the League and the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Government, this two-and-one-half-day course covers the basics of municipal governance. Classes cover the powers and responsibilities of a municipality, forms of government, responsibility of an elected officials, finance and many other topics.

The course is offered every other year, following municipal elections. The next sessions will be in 2008. Usually, six sessions are scheduled in different locations across the state during the first three months of the year.

Training for first-time mayors

Immediately after each round of municipal elections, the League offers one-day sessions for first-time mayors to provide training before mayors conduct their first meetings. Topics include transition issues, mayor and council relations and mayor-staff relations.

Typically, three sessions are offered, one for mayors in mayor-council municipalities, one for mayors in council-manager municipalities. Both of these sessions are held in Raleigh. A third session is held in western North Carolina for mayors in both forms of government.

Co-sponsorships

The League co-sponsors a variety of training programs and conferences on subjects ranging from water quality to economic development.

In addition, the organizations affiliated with the League hold conferences throughout the year, offering professional development opportunities for particular groups.

Affiliate Organizations/Constituency Groups

The League provides support, financial and meeting planning services to a number of professional organizations for municipal staff and several constituency groups.