Local Elected Leaders Academy (LELA)
Welcome to our academy. We are a leadership development program for local elected officials across North Carolina which provides a recognition program for individual achievements. Built on the tenets of learning and practice, LELA comprises the following:
- Top-rated courses designed and taught by UNC faculty and practitioners.
- Service opportunities through partner organizations state-wide.
- Networking opportunities to connect with leaders across the state.
YOU DON’T GOVERN ALONE
Today’s local elected officials face many complex challenges, chief among them how best to lead and govern their communities. Most public issues are not confined to a single unit or level of government. Often, they cross geographic and political boundaries to affect others.
LELA is designed to help local elected officials (in counties and municipalities and on school boards and tribal councils) develop a mutual understanding of how governing at the local level affects residents and differing constituencies, regardless of where they live.
The program creates continuous pathways for education, service with statewide organizations, and recognition designed to suit the needs of local elected officials at any phase of their tenure in public office.
HOW LELA WORKS
Local elected officials become members of the Local Elected Leaders Academy upon completion of Essentials of County/Municipal Government. Members work toward completing four recognition levels, receiving a certificate of completion for each level.
You can engage with our course content in a variety of ways throughout the year: from podcasts to virtual one-day courses to multi-day residential leadership programs. Elected officials can create the learning experience that best suits their needs. It is not required that these courses be taken in ascending order. It should take about two years to complete an individual level.
Essentials of Government courses are offered following scheduled elections. Check the course calendar after an election for details.
Recognition Levels
PRACTITIONER
LELA 101 courses
40 credits needed
MASTER
LELA 201 courses
24 credits needed
MENTOR
LELA 301 courses
24 credits needed
AMBASSADOR
LELA 401 courses
40 credits needed
THE LELA CURRICULUM
How Do I Earn Credits?
Education
Complete LELA courses, webinars, and online programs (the UNC School of Government and Western Carolina University offer courses in partnership).
- Courses: Multiple in-depth options
- Top 10 Primers: Free hour-long interactive webinars covering relevant and specific topics
- Independent Learning Recordings: Podcasts and on-demand courses
Service
LELA members receive recognition for the applied practice of their leadership skills within their state and national local government organizations.
National League of Cities (NLC)/National Association of Counties (NACo)
- Attend national meetings, leadership programs, webinars, and online programs
NC League of Municipalities (NCLM)/NC Association of County Commissioners (NCACC)
- Attend state meetings, district meetings, workshops, and legislative updates
- Serve on steering and/or advisory committees
- Serve as a board member or officer
BECOME A PRACTITIONER
From Campaigning to Governing: Laws, Roles, and Responsibilities
Completion requirement: 40 credits
| 12 | Complete Essentials of County/Municipal Government. |
| + 14 | Complete any combination of 101-level courses. |
| + 14 | Complete any combination of 101-level organizational service offerings. |
| = 40 | Total |
101-level offerings through June 2025
School of Government Courses
LELA 101 courses focus on the fundamental legal framework and the primary responsibilities of local elected leaders. Officials are encouraged to take as many of these LELA 101 courses as possible in their first two years in office.
- Ethics for Local Elected Officials | 2 credits
- Evaluating Manager and Board Performance | 6 credits
- Fiduciary Responsibilities of Local Elected Officials | 3 credits
- Legal Competency for Local Elected Officials | 6 credits
- Working Better Together as a Board | 6 credits
LELA 101 TOP 10 PRIMERS
- Engaging the Community in Public Issues | 2 credits
- Gifts, Favors, and Conflicts of Interest | 2 credits
- Managing Conflict: Tips and Practices Roundtable | 2 credits
- Public School Funding Process | 2 credits
- Rules of Procedure for Local Governing Boards | 2 credits
- Tools for a Successful Strategic Plan | 2 credits
- Transportation Planning and Funding | 2 credits
- Use of Social Media for Local Elected Officials | 2 credits
LEVEL 101 INDEPENDENT LEARNING RECORDINGS (2 credits each)
See learning options at GO.UNC.EDU/LEARNNOWLELA
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
FROM NLC, NACO, NCLM, AND NCACC
Service opportunities focus on attending, volunteering, sharing, and learning.
Dates and details are available on each organization’s website.
- Attend a state/national annual conference | 9 credits
- Attend a state/national legislative conference | 3 credits
- Attend a state legislative day event | 3 credits
- Attend a district meeting | 2 credits
- Attend an educational workshop | 1 credit
- Serve on a policy/select committee | 3 credits per term (based on the attendance)
- Serve on a national committee | 3 credits per term (based on the attendance)
BECOME A Master
Pathway to Excellence in Governing
Completion requirement: 24 credits and completion of Practitioner-level requirements
| 12 | Complete any combination of 201-level courses. |
| + 12 | Complete any combination of 201-level organizational service offerings. |
| = 24 | Total |
201-level offerings through June 2025
School of Government Courses
LELA 201 courses cover the more complex functions of local government and show you how to work with others by introducing topics that require you to work across jurisdictions. They present foundational leadership practices that are beneficial for effective governance.
- Capital Budgeting & Infrastructure Finance | 9 credits
- Effective Community Engagement: A Toolbox for Elected Officials | 3 credits
- Essentials of Economic Development | 6 credits
- In the Hot Seat: Leading Through Public Scrutiny | 6 credits
- Working Together: Counties, School Boards, and Public School Finance | 6 credits
- Working with Advisory Boards and Committees | 6 credits
LELA 201 TOP 10 PRIMERS
- Tools for a Successful Strategic Plan | 2 credits
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
FROM NLC, NACO, NCLM, AND NCACC
Service opportunities focus on participating, serving, and practicing.
Dates and details are available on each organization’s website.
- Serve as a workshop leader, presenter, or panelist | 3 credits
- Serve as chair of a policy, select, or standing committee | 9 credits (applied at end of term)
- Participate in statewide or national conferences | 3 credits
BECOME A Mentor
Pathway to Collaborative Leadership
Completion requirement: 24 credits and completion of Practitioner- and Master-level requirements
| 12 | Complete any combination of 301-level courses. |
| + 12 | Complete any combination of 301-level organizational service offerings. |
| = 24 | Total |
301-level offerings through June 2025
School of Government Courses
These LELA 301 courses focus on ways to collaborate with other elected or appointed constituency groups and on behaviors that build trust and a shared sense of purpose.
- Affordable Housing Seminar | 6 credits
- Development Finance Toolbox | 6 credits
- Emotional Intelligence: Leadership’s Super Power | 6 credits
- Harness the Power of Public Participation | 6 credits
- Navigating Challenging Issues Through Community Engagement | 6 credits
- Strategic Planning: Linking Strategies to Results | 6 credits
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
FROM NLC, NACO, NCLM, AND NCACC
Service opportunities focus on activities that help prepare you to lead organizations.
Dates and details are available on each organization’s website.
- Serve on the board of directors | 12 credits (applied at end of term)
- Serve as conference voting delegate | 6 credits
BECOME An ambassador
Pathway to Advanced Leading and Governing
Completion requirement: 40 credits and completion of Practitioner-, Master-, and Mentor-level requirements
- Complete any combination of 401-level courses OR
401-level organizational service offerings
401-level offerings through 2025
School of Government Courses
These LELA 401 courses cover best practices in effective leadership. Individuals learn to advance their leadership skills and behavior in a way that allows them to delve deeply into their own personal leadership practice and philosophy.
- Advanced Leadership Corps | 40 credits
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
FROM NLC, NACO, NCLM, AND NCACC
Service opportunities focus on activities that model exemplary leadership.
Dates and details are available on each organization’s website.
- Be elected to the presidential chairs of the organization | 40 credits (applied at the end of the presidential year)
- Complete other commitment to exemplary leadership at the discretion of the organization | TBD
Managing Your Results
Certificates and badges are awarded as you progress and complete the recognition levels in your leadership development pathway. It will be important for you to manage your results to receive credit and be able to share your accomplishments with others.
Badges
Completing Essentials of County/Municipal Government prompts the creation of your Badgr account. You will receive email instructions on setting up your profile. This is where you will claim badges, view your progress, share, or print awards, and more.
Return to your profile anytime at sogunc.badgr.com/my-badges
Track Your Progress
Track your progress toward each recognition level on your profile under the “Pathways” tab. Each time you complete a course or activity, it will show as “completed.” You’ll then be able to select the recognition level to view where you are on the pathway and see what options you have to complete the level requirements.
Share Your Accomplishments
Under the “Badge” tab on your profile, click the badge name to see details such as earning requirements, credits, and activity type. By clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner, you’ll find printing and sharing options. You’ll have the options to do the following:
- Print a certificate. Download and print your badges and awards as certificates.
- Share on social media and websites. Copy a link or embed code to share badges on social media and websites.
- Add it to your email signature.
Credential Request
All prior credentials are available through the LELA tracking system, which allows you to view your completed recognition levels and progress toward the next recognition level.
If you believe you have not received proper credit for a course or engagement activity, please click here and indicate the course or activity you’ve completed. You will then receive a code you can use to claim it on your profile.