National Association of Counties

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Get Involved: Join a Committee and Make a Difference

Aug. 1, 2021
Tags: About NACo

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    Get Involved: Join a Committee and Make a Difference

    Making a Difference for Every County

    NACo members have the opportunity to serve on 31 committees, caucuses, task forces and advisory boards to inform national policymaking and help solve problems impacting counties, boroughs and parishes.

    NACo COMMITTEES FOCUS ON
    • Agriculture
    • Arts and Culture
    • Disaster Mitigation & Recovery
    • Economic Development
    • Elections
    • Environment, Energy & Land Use
    • Finance
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Human Services & Education
    • Infrastructure & Transportation
    • Intergovernmental Affairs
    • Justice Reform
    • Natural Resources Management
    • Public Lands
    • Public Safety
    • Telecommunications & Technology
    • Rural Affairs
    • Veteran Services
    Who is eligible to join a NACo committee?
    • Any elected or appointed officials and county staff of NACo member counties, boroughs and parishes.
    What’s in it for county officials and staff?
    • Inform national policy and stay up-to-date on issues impacting your county
    • Access to best practices
    • Network with leaders facing similar issues
    What are the differences in committees?
    • Policy steering committees: create and drive federal policy and advocacy
    • Standing committees, caucuses, task forces and advisory boards: drive programs and projects pursued by NACo for counties
    What is the commitment?
    • Level of involvement is based on your schedule. Committees hold:
      • Monthly conference calls
      • Meetings at the NACo Annual and Legislative Conferences*
    How long is the term?
    • Members serve one-year terms from July to July of the following year. Members must reapply each year. Applications submitted during a committee term can be accepted but will require another application for the next year.
    How do I apply?
    • NACo committee applications come in two forms:
      • Policy Steering Committees
        Applications submitted to your state association of counties
      • Standing Committees, Task Forces, Advisory Boards & Caucuses
        Applications submitted to NACo staff

    Committee application forms can be found in the back of the brochure. If you have any questions about getting involved, please call us at 888.407.NACo (6226) or email committee@naco.org.

    *Attendance to in-person meetings and participation on conference calls are encouraged, but not required.

    Committees, Task Forces & Advisory Boards

    These committees support NACo’s ability to foster innovative programs and services focused on building stronger counties that result in a stronger America. Committee members work together to ensure NACo’s initiatives align with the needs of county, parish and borough governments.

    How to Join

    Download Orange Application
    • County officials and staff applying as a member to these committees must submit the orange application to NACo at committee@naco.org. Applications submitted during a committee term will be accepted, but applicants will need to reapply for the following year leading up to July.
    • Members wishing to serve as the chair or vice chair of a committee must apply prior to the NACo Annual conference each year at www.naco.org/presidential_appointments.
    • Members are notified when committee applications open via email and articles in County News in early spring.

    Arts and Culture Commission

    Demonstrates how the arts can be used to promote economic development and provide solutions to many of the challenges they face

    • Learn more

    RESILIENT COUNTIES ADVISORY BOARD

    Advises NACo on the development and implementation of programming that strengthens counties’ ability to mitigate trying conditions, including social and economic stresses, sustainability challenges and disaster management

    • Learn more

    HEALTHY COUNTIES ADVISORY BOARD

    Assists NACo in identifying the priorities and activities of the Healthy Counties Initiative and provides input and expertise on program execution

    • Learn more

    VETERANS AND MILITARY SERVICES COMMITTEE

    Engages NACo and its members to develop and highlight best practices for innovative programs, services and benefits for our nation’s military, veterans and their families

    • Learn more

    MEMBERSHIP STANDING COMMITTEE

    Advises and supports NACo’s membership recruitment and retention efforts while championing county engagement in NACo

    • Learn more

    IT STANDING COMMITTEE

    Advises NACo on information technology issues and provides oversight on information technology projects

    • Learn more

    PROGRAMS AND SERVICES COMMITTEE

    Advises the NACo officers and the board of directors regarding the development and evaluation of NACo programs and services for county governments

    • Learn more

    LARGE URBAN COUNTY CAUCUS (LUCC)

    A coalition of elected county officials from large urban counties, working to identify urban challenges and develop solutions and programs that improve our communities

    • Learn more

    RURAL ACTION CAUCUS (RAC)

    County elected officials from rural areas focus on solving critical issues impacting rural life and development, including infrastructure, broadband, rural health, business development opportunities and more

    • Learn more

    IMMIGRATION REFORM TASK FORCE

    Provides a forum for county officials to discuss immigration issues and engage with federal agencies and coalition partners to work toward solutions

    • Learn more

    INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE

    Facilitates the exchange of information and resources while guiding NACo’s programming related to international economic development activities

    • Learn more

    NEXT GENERATION NETWORK

    Provides networking, educational and professional development opportunities for the next generation of county leaders

    • Learn more

    Policy Steering Committees

    The steering committees review and make recommendations on federal policy issues and legislation that supports local decision-making, prevents unfunded mandates and provides direct federal investments in county priorities.

    How to Join

    Download Blue Application
    • County officials and staff wishing to join steering committees must submit the blue application to their state association of counties for approval by the executive director.
    • Members can only serve on one steering committee per year. Applicants should indicate their first and second choices.
    • No more than two individuals from the same county and eight individuals from the same state can serve on the same steering committee.

    AGRICULTURE & RURAL AFFAIRS

    Topics include: USDA agriculture, rural development programs, rural renewable energy development, research and extension, food safety and conservation programs

    • Learn more

    COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

    Topics include: housing (including affordable housing), community and economic development, public works and workforce development

    • Learn more

    ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY & LAND USE

    Topics include: water management, stormwater, air quality standards, hazardous waste handling, national energy policy, pipeline safety, brownfields and coastal management

    • Learn more

    FINANCE, PENSIONS & INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

    Topics include: financial management, municipal borrowing, county revenues, pensions, the federal budget, federal tax reform, the census and elections

    • Learn more

    HEALTH

    Topics include: public health, health financing, Medicaid, Medicare, long-term care, behavioral health services, substance abuse prevention and treatment

    • Learn more

    HUMAN SERVICES & EDUCATION

    Topics include: foster care, public assistance programs, senior citizen and disability services, immigration policy, social services and education

    • Learn more

    JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

    Topics include: law enforcement, courts, corrections, homeland security, community crime prevention, juvenile justice and emergency management

    • Learn more

    PUBLIC LANDS

    Topics include: federal land management programs, natural resource revenue sharing payments, payments in lieu of taxes and property tax immunity concerns

    • Learn more

    TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

    Topics include: broadband, telecommunications and technology policies and the county role as a regulator, service provider and consumer

    • Learn more

    TRANSPORTATION

    Topics include: highway and bridge development and safety, public transit development, airport development, railroads, ports and waterways and freight movement

    • Learn more

    NACo Federal Policy Process

    Questions

    If you have any questions about getting involved, please call us at 888.407.NACo (6226) or email committee@naco.org.

    Making a Difference for Every County
    2021-08-01
    Document
    2022-07-29

Making a Difference for Every County

NACo members have the opportunity to serve on 31 committees, caucuses, task forces and advisory boards to inform national policymaking and help solve problems impacting counties, boroughs and parishes.

NACo COMMITTEES FOCUS ON
  • Agriculture
  • Arts and Culture
  • Disaster Mitigation & Recovery
  • Economic Development
  • Elections
  • Environment, Energy & Land Use
  • Finance
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Human Services & Education
  • Infrastructure & Transportation
  • Intergovernmental Affairs
  • Justice Reform
  • Natural Resources Management
  • Public Lands
  • Public Safety
  • Telecommunications & Technology
  • Rural Affairs
  • Veteran Services
Who is eligible to join a NACo committee?
  • Any elected or appointed officials and county staff of NACo member counties, boroughs and parishes.
What’s in it for county officials and staff?
  • Inform national policy and stay up-to-date on issues impacting your county
  • Access to best practices
  • Network with leaders facing similar issues
What are the differences in committees?
  • Policy steering committees: create and drive federal policy and advocacy
  • Standing committees, caucuses, task forces and advisory boards: drive programs and projects pursued by NACo for counties
What is the commitment?
  • Level of involvement is based on your schedule. Committees hold:
    • Monthly conference calls
    • Meetings at the NACo Annual and Legislative Conferences*
How long is the term?
  • Members serve one-year terms from July to July of the following year. Members must reapply each year. Applications submitted during a committee term can be accepted but will require another application for the next year.
How do I apply?
  • NACo committee applications come in two forms:
    • Policy Steering Committees
      Applications submitted to your state association of counties
    • Standing Committees, Task Forces, Advisory Boards & Caucuses
      Applications submitted to NACo staff

Committee application forms can be found in the back of the brochure. If you have any questions about getting involved, please call us at 888.407.NACo (6226) or email committee@naco.org.

*Attendance to in-person meetings and participation on conference calls are encouraged, but not required.

Committees, Task Forces & Advisory Boards

These committees support NACo’s ability to foster innovative programs and services focused on building stronger counties that result in a stronger America. Committee members work together to ensure NACo’s initiatives align with the needs of county, parish and borough governments.

How to Join

Download Orange Application
  • County officials and staff applying as a member to these committees must submit the orange application to NACo at committee@naco.org. Applications submitted during a committee term will be accepted, but applicants will need to reapply for the following year leading up to July.
  • Members wishing to serve as the chair or vice chair of a committee must apply prior to the NACo Annual conference each year at www.naco.org/presidential_appointments.
  • Members are notified when committee applications open via email and articles in County News in early spring.

Arts and Culture Commission

Demonstrates how the arts can be used to promote economic development and provide solutions to many of the challenges they face

RESILIENT COUNTIES ADVISORY BOARD

Advises NACo on the development and implementation of programming that strengthens counties’ ability to mitigate trying conditions, including social and economic stresses, sustainability challenges and disaster management

HEALTHY COUNTIES ADVISORY BOARD

Assists NACo in identifying the priorities and activities of the Healthy Counties Initiative and provides input and expertise on program execution

VETERANS AND MILITARY SERVICES COMMITTEE

Engages NACo and its members to develop and highlight best practices for innovative programs, services and benefits for our nation’s military, veterans and their families

MEMBERSHIP STANDING COMMITTEE

Advises and supports NACo’s membership recruitment and retention efforts while championing county engagement in NACo

IT STANDING COMMITTEE

Advises NACo on information technology issues and provides oversight on information technology projects

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES COMMITTEE

Advises the NACo officers and the board of directors regarding the development and evaluation of NACo programs and services for county governments

LARGE URBAN COUNTY CAUCUS (LUCC)

A coalition of elected county officials from large urban counties, working to identify urban challenges and develop solutions and programs that improve our communities

RURAL ACTION CAUCUS (RAC)

County elected officials from rural areas focus on solving critical issues impacting rural life and development, including infrastructure, broadband, rural health, business development opportunities and more

IMMIGRATION REFORM TASK FORCE

Provides a forum for county officials to discuss immigration issues and engage with federal agencies and coalition partners to work toward solutions

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE

Facilitates the exchange of information and resources while guiding NACo’s programming related to international economic development activities

NEXT GENERATION NETWORK

Provides networking, educational and professional development opportunities for the next generation of county leaders

Policy Steering Committees

The steering committees review and make recommendations on federal policy issues and legislation that supports local decision-making, prevents unfunded mandates and provides direct federal investments in county priorities.

How to Join

Download Blue Application
  • County officials and staff wishing to join steering committees must submit the blue application to their state association of counties for approval by the executive director.
  • Members can only serve on one steering committee per year. Applicants should indicate their first and second choices.
  • No more than two individuals from the same county and eight individuals from the same state can serve on the same steering committee.

AGRICULTURE & RURAL AFFAIRS

Topics include: USDA agriculture, rural development programs, rural renewable energy development, research and extension, food safety and conservation programs

COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Topics include: housing (including affordable housing), community and economic development, public works and workforce development

ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY & LAND USE

Topics include: water management, stormwater, air quality standards, hazardous waste handling, national energy policy, pipeline safety, brownfields and coastal management

FINANCE, PENSIONS & INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

Topics include: financial management, municipal borrowing, county revenues, pensions, the federal budget, federal tax reform, the census and elections

HEALTH

Topics include: public health, health financing, Medicaid, Medicare, long-term care, behavioral health services, substance abuse prevention and treatment

HUMAN SERVICES & EDUCATION

Topics include: foster care, public assistance programs, senior citizen and disability services, immigration policy, social services and education

JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

Topics include: law enforcement, courts, corrections, homeland security, community crime prevention, juvenile justice and emergency management

PUBLIC LANDS

Topics include: federal land management programs, natural resource revenue sharing payments, payments in lieu of taxes and property tax immunity concerns

TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Topics include: broadband, telecommunications and technology policies and the county role as a regulator, service provider and consumer

TRANSPORTATION

Topics include: highway and bridge development and safety, public transit development, airport development, railroads, ports and waterways and freight movement

NACo Federal Policy Process

Questions

If you have any questions about getting involved, please call us at 888.407.NACo (6226) or email committee@naco.org.

Blue

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