1. Representation in Washington
NACo members and staff vigorously lobby the Administration and Congress on all issues affecting counties and their residents. To focus the effort, priority issues are established annually by the Board of Directors. Ongoing legislative priorities are:
- opposing unfunded mandates and preemption of county authorities;
- maintaining and increasing the financial partnership with the federal government, including appropriations;
- ensuring federal tax policies are equitible to county government; and
- working on recurring federal authorizations affecting county government, such as community and economic development, transportation, workforce development, and public lands and rural development.
Want to influence legislation? If you have knowledge or an interest in a certain issue area or concerns about the effects of federal legislation on your county, then you should become a member of a NACo Steering Committee. The steering committees enable county officials from member counties to become actively involved in NACo's policy process.
2. Conferences
NACo conferences provide a great benefit at discounted fees for members. Attendees rank highly the information they receive from expert speakers, educational sessions, workshops and the networking opportunities with colleagues. NACo has a conference to meet your specific needs whether you choose the Annual, Legislative or Western Interstate Region Conference. Other special issue meetings cover subjects like homeland security, health care and urban and rural issues.
3. Financial Services Center Programs - With These Savings, NACo Membership Pays for Itself!
NACo provides numerous ways for members to save money. They include:
- U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance - access to nationally bid contracts that provide significant reductions in price on essential products and services. Since 1999, participating counties have saved more than $500 million.
- Network of Care - an internet network that the public, community based organizations and local government workers can use as a single source for key information relating to health and social services. The Network of Care enables residents to find the best program that meets their needs and the needs of their families.
- Public Finance Authority - a unique governmental entity that can finance tax-exempt conduit bonds for public and private activities that benefit public agencies on a multi-state basis.
- Retirement benefit programs: Deferred Compensation (457), DefinedContribution 401(a) and Post Employment Health Plan (PEHP)
4. Prescription and Dental Discount Card Programs
The NACo Prescription Discount Card Program and Dental Discount Program provide savings for county governments and residents from the skyrocketing costs of prescriptions and dental care. The programs are available to all residents of a particiapting NACo member county and provide relief for the uninsured or underinsured.
- The NACo Prescription Discount Card Program has provided an average savings of 24 percent per prescription and more than 1,400 member counties have saved their residents more than $400 million. There is also an option for revenue sharing for counties. Features of the program:
- Free to counties and participants
- No age or income restrictions
- No forms to fill out by participants
- The NACo Dental Discount Program privides residents in participating member counties five to 50 percent discounts on a full complement of dental services.
5. County News and NACo e-News
County News, NACo's bimonthly newspaper, is available in print and online to keep you up to date on the latest developments in counties and in Washington, D.C. County News, www.countynews.org, highlights model programs, concise news items on timely issues, solutions from experts, research and even job postings to attract candidates nationally. NACo e-News, a bimonthly electronic newsletter keeps you informed on all the benefits within your association: upcoming events, educational sessions, webinars and conferences, publications, research, grants and more.
6. Website
NACo’s website, www.naco.org, is packed with news, research, conference details, legislative updates, and geographical information on counties. More than 15,000 individuals visit the site daily. You can even receive e-mail alerts when new content has been added. The Member Center provides access to the Grants Clearinghouse, all of NACo's publications available for free, a media guide, right way to run a meeting and information on lobbying Congress. Make sure you put the NACo web page in your list of favorites.
7. Webinars
If you can't travel to NACo conferences, you and your staff can benefit from more than 60 free and easy to use webinars for members each year. The webinrs are based on timely, practical education on one or more of the many topics on NACo's agenda and these programs bring the information right to your desktop.
8. Networking with Other County Officials
NACo membership provides a unique opportunity to interact with colleagues from across the county whether at a conference, through participation on a Steering Committee, on a legislative issue or even through MyNACo - NACo's new private social network.
9. Solutions through Education and Training
NACo receives approximately $2 million annually in grants to provide technical assistance and training to county governments. These programs offer assistance on issues like homeland secutiry, the environment and health care. NACo also provides research information on county programs that can save your staff time and money. NACo staff is available to research county issues, providing you with a valuable benefit. Information is available to help any aspect of county government.
10. Grants Clearinghouse
NACo’s searchable Grants Clearinghouse on the NACo website lists federal grants available to county governments. Through the site you will learn whether the grants are currently funded and how to apply. Another exclusive membership benefit is our e-mail notification system which will notify you when new grants become available. Just sign up at www.naco.org!
To receive more information about county membership or how your county government can join NACo, contact Ilene Manster.