Taking the Field: A New Chapter for North Carolina's Cities & Towns

Election seasons always mark moments of transition for our cities and towns. This election cycle brought significant change, with many municipalities’ governing boards experiencing noticeable turnover, and many first-time elected officials stepping into public service. That level of transition is both energizing and challenging. New perspectives and fresh ideas can strengthen local governance, but the learning curve is often steep. Newly elected leaders are showing they are ready for the challenge.

The North Carolina League of Municipalities supports cities and towns at every stage of leadership. Your involvement with the League is more important than ever, as these transitions and changes can stress existing working relationships, while new relationships take time to develop. Transitions can also lead to tension with the public, particularly when public discourse too often rewards division over collaboration.

Committing to civility from the outset is essential.

Practicing civility allows governing boards to disagree productively, to listen carefully and to make better decisions on behalf of their communities. It fosters trust among colleagues and the public. Civility can be the difference between dysfunction and progress.

The League encourages this principle through the Commit to Civility certificate offered through the League’s Advancing Municipal Leadership (AML) continuing education program. This program underscores that leadership is also about how we conduct ourselves in public service. It reflects a shared pledge for governing boards to uphold respectful dialogue and collaborative problem-solving.

For those of you who are first-time elected officials, committing to civility now sets the tone early and establishes expectations for how business will be done. For seasoned leaders, it reinforces that experience brings responsibility. And for residents watching local government at work, it demonstrates that their leaders are serious about governing with integrity and respect.

As we begin this new chapter together, I encourage every municipal official— new and returning—to engage fully with the League, take advantage of its resources and commit to the principles that make local government work. Participate. Learn. Connect. And above all, lead with civility.

As I write this, we have just finished the five Essentials of Municipal Government classes in partnership with the UNC School of Government. I was struck by the hundreds of participants who were paying close attention, asking good questions and sharing insights with each other. I watched as they moved from a campaign-centered mindset to governing—it was heartening to witness.

 North Carolina’s cities and towns are strongest when their leaders are informed, engaged and respectful.

Across North Carolina, local voters made their voices heard—reaffirming leadership in some communities and ushering in new voices in many others. On behalf of the League, congratulations to each of you who were elected to municipal office! I look forward to working alongside you as you serve your communities.