We Are Counties | Participation Toolkit
Welcome to We Are Counties
Dear County Leader,
On behalf of the National Association of Counties, I am pleased to invite you to join We Are Counties, a national public affairs-driven advocacy campaign designed to help counties, parishes and boroughs tell our story and elevate the vital role our governments play in communities across the country.
Every day, counties – led by people like you – deliver essential services that touch nearly every aspect of our residents’ lives, from public health or transportation infrastructure, to public safety, economic development and human services. Yet too often, the breadth, complexity and impact of county government is not fully understood by either state and federal lawmakers nor the general public. We Are Counties exists to change that by clearly and consistently communicating the role counties play and why it matters.
This toolkit is designed to make participation easy and flexible. Inside, you will find ready-to-use templates and communications resources, including sample messaging, graphics, data points and storytelling guidance, along with ideas for how to tailor the campaign to reflect your county’s unique priorities and experiences. Whether you choose to use or adapt NACo-developed materials or highlight your own programs and successes, we hope you will join in sharing your county’s story with confidence.
Here are a few suggested quick and easy ways your county can start contributing to the campaign:
- Post on social media twice a month using pre-created NACo graphics or with statistics and infographics developed by your own county
- Include the hashtag #WeAreCounties when sharing on Facebook, Linkedin, X, Instagram to help drive the national conversation and expand reach
- Edit the draft op-ed to fit your county’s story, and submit it to local media
- Highlight real stories of your county’s impact within your community through videos, social media, at state or county events, and other platforms
- Pass a county proclamation joining the We Are Counties campaign (free to do!) and use the draft press release to announce your participation locally
- Wear your We Are Counties button (distributed at the Legislative Conference), display the poster, and share materials with others
- Don’t forget – while NACo-provided materials offer a strong foundation, telling your own story is often the most powerful way to show the value of county government.
Though each of America’s counties, parishes and boroughs is unique in size, geography and character, we are united by a shared commitment to service and stewardship of the communities we represent. By participating in We Are Counties, you help strengthen a collective voice that ensures counties are seen, understood and valued at every level.
We hope you will join us in this effort to educate, inform and elevate the work of county government nationwide.
Sincerely,
Judge Clark
NACo President
Participation Toolkit
Thank you for participating in the We Are Counties campaign! We are excited to have you join counties, parishes and boroughs across the nation in amplifying the important work county government does every day. The participation toolkit helps counties take action by sharing our stories of community impact, engaging audiences and elevating county voices at the local and national level.
Media Outreach Tools
Below, access template outreach materials to help tell your county story in your local press.
Use the template letter press release to announce your county's participation in the campaign. Download
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE
CONTACT: Name, Email
[County Name] to Participate in Three-Year We Are Counties Educational Campaign
Counties to highlight key role counties have in communities across the country
[LOCATION] — [County Name] announced today that [County Name] will be participating in a three-year public affairs-driven advocacy campaign called We Are Counties, a nationwide effort led by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and launched in February. The campaign exists to clearly and consistently show what counties do for over 300 million Americans every day, and why it matters.
Across the nation, there are 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs, each serving its own community while sharing a common mission of public service. Together, counties form a nationwide system that supports residents wherever they live, work or travel. This shared responsibility is at the heart of the We Are Counties educational campaign, focusing on building understanding among residents and policymakers about the essential role counties play in every day American life.
[County Name] aims to participate in this campaign by [INSERT EXAMPLES OF ACTIVITIES YOU AIM TO DO, SUCH AS A SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN, DID YOU KNOW VIDEO SERIES HIGHLIGHTING LITTLE-KNOWN COUNTY WORK, PUBLIC EVENTS, ETC.]
[QUOTE EXPLAINING WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO THE COUNTY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CAMPAIGN AS A WAY OF SHOWING OUR RESIDENTS HOW WE ARE HELPING THEM THRIVE.]
Counties are sharing their participation on social media using the hashtag #WeAreCounties.
For more information on this nationwide campaign, visit www.NACo.org/WeAreCounties.
Use the template op-ed to share the impact of counties with your local media. Download
We Are Counties: The Local Government That Serves Our Community Every Day
By [Name], [Title], [County Name]
When people think about government, they often picture Washington, D.C. or their state capital. But many of the services residents rely on every day are delivered by county government.
Counties, parishes and boroughs touch nearly every part of life in our community. We maintain roads and bridges, protect public safety, administer elections, respond to public health challenges and coordinate disaster assistance. We also provide programs that help families, seniors and veterans thrive, ensuring the community has the resources it needs when it matters most.
In [County Name], county government exists to serve this community. County employees and elected officials work on your behalf to deliver essential services, respond to challenges and plan for the future. Our goal is to provide the foundation that helps our community function and thrive.
[INSERT LOCAL EXAMPLES OR WINS]
For example, in [County Name], the county has [brief example such as improving emergency response times, investing in infrastructure, expanding access to services, supporting economic growth, modernizing systems or responding to a recent local need]. These efforts reflect a commitment to meeting local priorities and being responsible stewards of public resources.
[County Name] is also part of something larger. Across the nation, there are 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs, each serving their own community while sharing a common mission of public service. Together, counties form a nationwide system that supports residents wherever they live, work or travel.
This shared responsibility is at the heart of the We Are Counties campaign, a national effort led by the National Association of Counties to help share information around what counties do and why county government matters. The campaign focuses on building understanding among residents and policymakers about the essential role counties play in communities across America.
[OPTIONAL LOCAL DATA OR STATS]
In [County Name], county government is responsible for [number] miles of roads, [number] public facilities, [number] residents served through county programs or other locally relevant data that shows the scope of county responsibilities.
County government is practical by design. We are problem solvers. We work across jurisdictions, partner with state and federal agencies and adapt to local conditions because no two communities are exactly alike. That flexibility allows counties to respond effectively to changing needs while remaining closely connected to the people we serve.
In [County Name], county leaders and staff are proud to serve this community and remain committed to meeting today’s needs while preparing for tomorrow.
We are counties. And serving our communities is at the heart of what we do.
Social Media Tools
This section provides helpful templates and ideas to help you share your story and highlight the impact of your county.
- Post frequency: Aim for at least two posts per month to maintain visibility for #WeAreCounties
- Customization: Add your county’s name, statistics, and local programs or accomplishments to make posts relevant to your community
- Graphics: Use or adapt NACo-provided graphics or create local images featuring county staff, landmarks or initiatives
- Engagement: Encourage residents to share their own county experiences, photos or stories using #WeAreCounties
- Platforms: Copy can be used for Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, or adapted for Twitter/X or your preferred platform
- Moments: Tie your #WeAreCounties posts to other key moments for counties throughout the year, such as National County Government Month
Facebook/LinkedIn
Facebook/LinkedIn
Twitter/X
Twitter/X
Facebook/Longer Post Template
We are proud to have [COUNTY] join counties across the nation in the #WeAreCounties campaign to highlight the vital work of county government.
Counties provide essential services that residents rely on every day, including roads and bridges, public safety, elections, public health, disaster response, and programs for families, seniors and veterans. These services are the foundation that keeps communities strong and thriving.
In [COUNTY], we [INSERT LOCAL EXAMPLE OR WIN, e.g., improved emergency response times, expanded access to health services, upgraded roads and bridges, or supported local families and seniors]. These efforts reflect our commitment to meeting local priorities and serving residents effectively.
[COUNTY] is one of 3,069 counties nationwide that share a mission of service. While every county is unique, we are all connected by our dedication to serving residents and strengthening communities.
Share your story or experiences in [COUNTY] using #WeAreCounties and help show how counties make a difference every day.
Highlighting Essential Services
Infrastructure/Community Foundation
Health and Human Services
Public Safety & Disaster Preparedness
Local Success/Telling the story/Problem Solving
Community Engagement
Videos & Social Media Graphics
Follow Us
Follow NACo on social media for the latest We Are Counties content, including videos, stories and examples highlighting the essential role counties play in communities across the country.
Civic Engagement Resources
Civic Engagement Resources
Find tools to tell the county story. Explore below or click here for NACo's full library of civic engagement resources.
National County Government Month
Held each April, NCGM is an annual celebration of county government. NACo equips counties with template materials, social media graphics, and more resources to kick off the month of recognition.
Achievement Awards
The Achievement Awards is a non-competitive awards program recognizing innovative county government programs. Award-winning programs are featured in NACo content and celebrated at NACo's Annual Conference.
Counties Work Game & Curriculum
NACo, together with iCivics, has created an online game and curriculum to educate students grade levels 6-12 about the important role and functions of county government.
Presidential Spotlight: County Storytellers
Under the leadership of NACo President J.D. Clark, NACo will explore the art and science of powerful, purposeful stories.
Elections
Elections
Post
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Road Miles
Transportation & Infrastructure
Post
https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/1184224928/rendition/720p/file.mp4%20%28720p%29.mp4?loc=external&signature=07646c5fec9d5a82a9eaf584ad482eb97c6b5f5bc90d5c55479503d863b32598
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Health
Health
Post
https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/1187755695/rendition/720p/file.mp4%20%28720p%29.mp4?loc=external&signature=363e06ec33c50868c477fe25cd191cbd28cece1909ad4662245ee814f62aa01d
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Water
Transportation & Infrastructure
Post
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Public Safety
Public Safety
Post
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Public Lands
Public Lands
Post
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Secure Rural Schools #1
Public Lands
Post
https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/1187755805/rendition/1080p/file.mp4%20%281080p%29.mp4?loc=external&signature=f2d9096f20ed04235b8225fc0ae93ac2e14bdd6ff86a854b9282f29a4bda63a8
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Secure Rural Schools #2
Public Lands
Post
https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/1200791167/rendition/720p/file.mp4%20%28720p%29.mp4?loc=external&signature=4b822643c0fa8b4a6c695972e31635e0f77c47dd6494f69830f608d3d293da37
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Elections
Elections
Instagram Story
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Road Miles
Transportation & Infrastructure
Instagram Story
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https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/download/1184225030/rendition/1080p/wac_story_2b%20%281080p%29.mp4?loc=external&signature=fe3e3a161b8e4d915bd43cefc7acec98cdd6dcc991205ddfe963296d1c2c44fb
Health
Health
Instagram Story
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Public Safety
Public Safety
Instagram Story
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Water
Transportation & Infrastructure
Instagram Story
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Public Lands
Public Lands
Instagram Story
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Secure Rural Schools #1
Public Lands
Instagram Story
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Secure Rural Schools #2
Public Lands
Instagram Story
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Counties 101
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3njC-_ccc4
https://naco.sharefile.com/d-s352ade26725d4ee6a2f6a5310049332e
Disaster Response & Recovery
Public Safety
Video
https://youtu.be/qGro9D9YUSs
https://naco.sharefile.com/d-s7fc3f299039043d48d60b67ed93c2879
Public Lands & PILT
Public Lands
Video
https://youtu.be/8HsqkdtgrOg?si=1BrEKa1H2-fL3BsU
https://naco.sharefile.com/d-s29bc441386964dd78506fb0e78baacfe