Speaking Out: New Leadership, Shared Vision

Every year, the League’s annual CityVision conference gives members a place to gather and learn—from each other and from the subject matter experts and speakers on the program. And this year’s conference was just as exciting and invigorating as I knew it would be. Partially because of the time spent with you, but also because of the optimistic and downright celebratory feeling I got from the moment I stepped foot in Greenville.

We were able to recognize the hard work and positive strides made by both the League’s Municipal Accounting Program, including its AIM mentorship program, and our colleagues in the cities and towns who have participated in these services. During the Business Meeting, I was so proud to share in the acknowledgement of the challenges and triumphs experienced in western North Carolina, including the gratitude for each of our communities that provided assistance to impacted communities in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

This year also marked an exciting milestone for CityVision—for the first time, we were able to recognize municipal officials who have completed the Advancing Municipal Leader’s (AML) certificates of municipal achievement and excellence. For all of us who attended eligible pre-conference sessions and workshops throughout CityVision, we are well on our way to earning our own AML certificates—maybe we will walk across the stage in Raleigh next year!

Taking time to recognize and celebrate our individual and collective achievements is something I value very much. When I was young, I gained the confidence to work with others, to become a leader in my community, and ultimately to lead our organization now, all because people in my life saw something in me, encouraged me and helped me when I needed it most. Those simple acts changed the trajectory of my life, and I am forever grateful and humbled.

It’s no secret that we are facing much uncertainty in our political world, but one thing that we can be certain of is our commitment to our cities and towns. The work we do every day as municipal officials is essential to the quality of life in our communities, and most of these services don’t care about political parties or allegiance. Unfortunately, not all of our state and federally elected leaders understand that basic tenant of local government. This is where we can really embody the League’s motto of “Working as one. Advancing all.”

Now is the time for us as municipal officials to share with our elected officials about what we do and why. We must share how legislative actions will impact taxpayers and businesses at home. As the government closest to the people, we know better than anyone the needs of our residents and our cities and towns, and we must work to cultivate relationships with our own elected leaders to represent those needs.

We can also use this time in our nation’s history to truly lead by example and demonstrate day in and day out the importance of working together. I was so heartened at CityVision to honor our colleagues from Garner, Franklin, Henderson, Huntersville, Leland and Winston-Salem on their achievement in completing the Commit to Civility certificate program and earning the City of Civility designation. Congratulations on taking action toward leading in a way that prioritizes working together with respect and consideration to see results that benefit your entire community.

I am hopeful this AML program will continue to grow, especially in the wake of the divisiveness and negativity that can accompany public service. How wonderful it would be to have 20, 50 or even more municipalities from across North Carolina recognized at CityVision 2026 for becoming Cities of Civility!

As I begin my term as your League president, I hope to encourage others to build strong relationships and become difference makers as our CityVision keynote, Austin Franklin, would say.

We can make a difference in the way our elected officials see cities and towns by cultivating positive working relationships that fuel increased understanding of what cities and towns do. We can make a difference by focusing on relationships within our own boards at home and committing ourselves to be respectful despite differences.

Who knows? You may help a colleague see something in themselves that changes the trajectory of their life, just as so many people in my life have done for me