National Involvement

North Dakota county officials have a strong voice in national policy formation through involvement in the National Association of Counties (NACo).

Here are a few of the ways North Dakotans affect national policy, and how you can, too:

1. All states have a representative on the NACo Board of Directors, but North Dakota has two. An additional seat on the board is awarded to states that have 100% NACo membership. In other words, because all 53 counties are NACo members, our impact is doubled. Our two NACo board members are listed on our Board of Directors page. Feel free to contact them when you have anything you want communicated at the national level.
2. In addition to the national board, North Dakota county officials serve on a variety of steering committees. Those committees are listed at www.naco.org/advocacy/policies-and-committees. NACo has produced a video covering the many benefits of national involvement at: www.naco.org/events/influence-engage-and-network-why-should-you-join-naco-committee.
3. Attend NACo events. NACo hosts several important events where you can network with other county officials and learn from national leaders about the issues facing our region and nation. The three events that are most often attended by North Dakotans are:
   1. NACo Annual Conference - held in July in various locations around the country
   2. NACo Legislative Conference - held in Washington, D.C. late February or early March
   3. Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference - held in a WIR state every May, focused on western states. ND County Commissioners may be eligible for matching funds, as the ND County Commissioners Association wants to help you get started in national participation. For more information click here: www.ndcca.org/board/matching. 

Learn more about these events at www.naco.org/events/conferences.

If you are interested in serving on a steering committee or other national effort, please contact our board liason Michelle Tabbert at michelle.tabbert@ndaco.org.