County-Related News

NACo Expands Celebration, Promotion of County Government

More counties will have the opportunity to participate in National County Government Week activities in 2010, when the observance expands from a single week in April to the entire month — henceforth known as National County Government Month.

The National Association of Counties’ Executive Committee decided to expand National County Government Week to a month to give counties more options to schedule activities that raise public awareness and understanding of county government.

National County Government Month (NCGM) will be held in April in 2010 and future years.

“By designating each April as National County Government Month, counties will have greater flexibility to plan and schedule their own county government activities,” said NACo President Valerie Brown. “Counties aren’t expected to hold public awareness activities throughout the month, but can schedule activities any time during the month.”

Previously, a county government week with fixed dates fell at an inconvenient time for some counties, according to feedback the Executive Committee received.

First celebrated in 1991, National County Government Week (now National County Government Month) was created by NACo to raise public awareness and understanding about the roles and responsibilities of the nation’s 3,068 counties. The community outreach events help residents and businesses better understand how counties serve the community.

TAC has traditionally celebrated National County Government Week by hosting a barbeque on the Capitol lawn during legislative sessions and promoting county best practices winners inside the Capitol complex. Those traditions will continue.

A booklet of ideas and suggestions on how to celebrate National County Government Month will be available early next year. The booklet will also provide helpful information about media outreach strategies. For more information about NCGM, visit the “Public Awareness Campaigns” section of the NACo Web site at www.naco.org or contact Tom Goodman, (202) 942-4222.