Experiencing the Heart of Our Mission Through Letters and Visits

As I write this, my letter-writing campaign to all 540 of our League’s mayors is complete—and what a rewarding journey it was! I’ve truly enjoyed making these personal connections and hearing back from many of you. Your conversations, experiences and shared commitment to your communities remind me why this work matters so deeply.

Beyond the letters, I’ve found myself visiting cities and towns across North Carolina for both business and personal reasons. Whether I’m traveling for a meeting or simply passing through, I love dropping in at town halls and meeting folks face-to-face. These impromptu visits often turn into meaningful conversations that leave me inspired and energized. There’s something powerful about connecting with League members in such a personal way, especially with my fellow elected leaders who are navigating complex challenges with resilience and vision.

Everywhere I go, I hear about struggles. Some of these challenges are shared across municipalities, others unique to a particular place. But one constant remains: cities are keeping their eyes on what matters most. Whether it’s progress or recovery, especially in areas hit hard by disaster, our members are focused on building stronger, more vibrant communities.

I’ve been especially heartened to see the League’s new disaster response programs gaining momentum in the western part of the state. More than a year after Hurricane Helene, I cannot imagine the daily challenges our colleagues in the west continue to face. I hope they feel the full weight of our support behind them. The League has full-time employees on the ground in western NC who are dedicated to helping our members through the disaster recovery process. That could mean anything from assistance with navigating FEMA, spreading the word about help available through the State of NC, providing guidance on grants and financial management, or connecting with subject matter experts who can assist with purchasing, planning, contracting and more. Each town is at a different point in the recovery process, facing its own set of challenges, but our commitment remains the same: to offer dedicated support through our staff and partnering organizations. And importantly, these services come at no cost to our members. 

This approach reflects the heart of our mission, which is to be an extension of your staff. Even in the best of times, our members are wearing many hats and juggling countless issues. We’re here to help lighten that load, to walk alongside you, and to ensure that no city or town has to face its challenges alone. It’s truly the embodiment of working as one, and advancing all.