Download - By the People, For the People: County Government 101 for Citizens

By the People, For the People: County Government 101 for Citizens

Kay Cashion, Guilford County Commissioner

Patsy King McGhee, Nash County Assistant to the County Manager

Martha Rogers, Guilford County Internal Audit Director

Sally Shutt, Cumberland County Chief Public Information Director

Over the past two decades, more than a dozen counties have taken to heart the task of educating the public about county government. Citizens academies are typically labor intensive for staff from a planning and presentation perspective and can require a five- to 10-night commitment from participating citizens, but the rewards of building a core group of educated citizens that are ready to become engaged in county government outweighs the challenges associated with sponsoring a citizens academy. Program leaders in three counties discuss challenges, details, differences in programs, and success stories in this workshop held Aug. 23 at the 2013 NCACC Annual Conference.

Educate, Inform and Engage

•

Strategic Initiative

Quick Takes • FREE

• 28 graduated from

first class in Nov. 2012

• 32 graduated in April 2013

• Seven weekly sessions on Tuesdays, 6 – 9 p.m.

• Various county locations

• Light refreshments; binders provided

Session Format • Three to four

department presentations per night

• Meeting simulation in Commissioners Chamber

Tours • Animal Shelter

• Sheriff’s Training Center

• Crown Coliseum

• Landfill

Response

• Online evaluation surveys sent the next day work best

• County’s Appointed Board Application includes a block to check if individual has attended the academy

• To date, three graduates have been appointed

Strategic Initiative Expanded • Youth Citizens’

Academy held this summer

Strategic Initiative Expanded • Appointed Board Welcome and Information

Session held August 13

From more information, contact:

Sally Shutt

Public Information Director

910-437-1921

[email protected]

www.co.cumberland.nc.us

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.co.cumberland.nc.us/






Now speaking: Patsy King McGhee describing Nash County Government Works






Now speaking: Martha Rogers describing Guilford County Citizen’s Academy






Q&A Fees for participants






Q&A Community partners for delivery






Q&A Elected official participants






Q&A Impact on county employees






Q&A Budgets for Citizens Academies programs






Q&A Marketing/getting the word out






Q&A Course curriculum






Q&A Class size and participant demographics






Q&A Keeping alumni involved






Q&A Feedback from alumni






Q&A Graduation and alumni involvement






Mary Wells (Nash County), Cashion on the value of the course for new county commissioners

Download - By the People, For the People: County Government 101 for Citizens

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