N.C. League of Municipalities

Who We Are

​​​​​​​​​​​The North Carolina League of Municipalities is truly a member-driven organization, with those members deciding advocacy goals, directing internal- and external-facing policies, and leading service initiatives. An active, 35-member Board of Directors represents a diverse group of cities and towns of all sizes, from the mountains to the coast. NCLM members are dedicated to the idea that, working cooperatively together, we can protect local decision-making authority so that local residents can pursue their own unique visions of what their towns and cities can and should be. With that aim in mind, we strive not only to serve an array of needs of our member municipalities, but to bolster local leadership and empower North Carolina citizens so that they can make their cities and towns the best that they can be. 

NCLM: Then, Now & Ahead

History of the League

From its origins more than a century ago and through its impactful evolution as an advocate for cities and towns across the state, the North Carolina League of Municipalities is explained in this archives-heavy documentary produced and edited by Ben Brown.

Our Mission:

The North Carolina League of Municipalities is a member-driven organization representing the interests of cities and towns in the state. Through their collective efforts, League member cities and towns better serve their residents and improve quality of life.

For more than 100 years, the League has been one voice for cities and towns working for a better North Carolina.

 

Our Values:

Working together as one, the cities and towns of the North Carolina League of Municipalities will be guided by our commitment to:

Service: We trust in the effectiveness of cities and towns, led by locally-elected officials, to craft solutions that improve quality of life.

Self-determination: We believe in the ability of all cities and towns to pursue their own visions of their futures.

Inclusiveness: We value every member, the diversity of all, and the diverse nature of each member city and towns and their citizenry.

Collaboration: We believe in working together in ways that enhance all cities and towns, through promotion of best practices, and imparting knowledge and expertise.

Responsiveness: We focus on the needs of North Carolinians, answering to the people in meaningful ways that affect their everyday lives.

​​​In 2014, the League's Board of Directors, in partnership with the UNC School of Government, initiated a process to establish a vision of how cities and towns will operate in 2030. Vision 2030 was born of a desire to allow North Carolina cities and towns and their residents to chart a course that will enable all – regardless of size or make-up – to thrive, to meet the challenges of the 21st Century, and to continue to reflect their own diverse visions for themselves.  

 

Six Operating Principles

By 2030:

    1. Municipal governments exercise greater control over their revenues, structures, and functions.
    2. Municipalities demonstrate the value they add to the community's quality of life.
    3. Technology is widely used for service delivery, citizen engagement, and economic development.
    4. Municipalities widely practice productive partnerships with counties, other governments, and the private sector.
    5. Urban and rural municipalities routinely work together for economic success.
    6. Municipalities are able to quickly adapt to cultural and demographic changes in their communities.​

 

Five Planning Pillars

Now that the NCLM Board of Directors, led by its Strategic Visioning Task Force, has established and adopted its Vision 2030, we are at the place to answer the question, “How can the League help NC municipal governments reach their BEST future?” At the most basic level, to become a transformative organization for the fulfillment of Vision 2030, the League must execute in these five strategic areas:

    1. Reaching and Empowering North Carolina Citizens
    2. Expanding Effectiveness and Value of Membership Services
    3. Improving NCLM Political Positioning and Influence
    4. Bolstering Leadership Development of City Officials
    5. Building the League into a great place to work that is cohesive and highly efficient.​
See Vision 2030 Handout

Rose Vaughn Williams

NCLM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Rose Vaughn Williams was named Executive Director of the NC League of Municipalities in December 2021. Prior to that, she served in a leadership role at the League for nearly seven years, most recently as the Associate Executive Director of Public and Government Affairs.

Rose came to the League from the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI), where she served for eight years as the Legislative Counsel to two statewide elected Commissioners of Insurance. While at NCDOI, she worked on major reforms to the property insurance system and workers’ compensation system, issues arising in auto liability insurance, and health insurance issues, most notably the integration of the federal Affordable Care Act. In this role, Rose was recognized as one of the state’s top 50 lobbyists by the Center for Public Policy Research.

Rose also served as a District Court Judge. Prior to her five-year judgeship, Rose was a partner in a private law firm where she represented insurance companies and claimants, as well as other private and commercial clients. She also clerked for a N.C. Supreme Court justice prior to practicing law.

Rose is a North Carolina native, born in Eden and raised in Raleigh. She received her undergraduate and law degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill. Rose is married and has two adult children.

NCLM Annual Reports

FY 2021-22 Annual Report
FY 2020-21 Annual Report
FY 2019-20 Annual Report
FY 2018-19 Annual Report
FY 2017-18 Annual Report
FY 2016-17 Annual Report