Counties are getting a good head start on making National County Government Month (NCGM) 2012 the most successful celebration yet in their communities.
Pitt County, N.C. for example, has already announced plans to hold a county flag design contest as part of NCGM in April. The Daily Reflector of Greenville reports that county officials want to “freshen its image” and are looking for citizen help to design a new county flag featuring the county seal and logo.
Of course, counties don’t have to reinvent the wheel, or their county flags, to hold fun and interactive events. The key to success is to begin planning now.
Since 1991, NACo has encouraged counties to actively promote county government services and programs. This year’s theme is “Healthy Counties, Healthy Families.” Plan events around this theme by promoting your county’s health care and wellness services, and recreational programs. The theme complements NACo President Lenny Eliason’s 2011–12 “Healthy Counties” presidential initiative, which urges counties to promote healthy living and lifestyle choices.
NACo has free media resources available to assist counties in celebrating NCGM. On the NACo website at www.naco.org/NCGM, you will find a comprehensive planning and tips booklet — the NCGM Handbook — and a NCGM Media Resources Kit.
The handbook contains dozens of ways counties have successfully planned NCGM events in past years. Popular events include public tours of county facilities, open houses featuring various county department services, and county-official visits to local schools and community organizations. The booklet also contains helpful media relations strategies to ensure that your promotions and messages reach the widest audiences possible.
The Media Resources Kit includes templates to create your county’s own NCGM buttons, posters, flyers, banners, proclamations and news releases. The templates are specially designed for the 2012 “Healthy Counties, Healthy Families” theme. Plenty of space is available to add your county’s logo or unique county government month slogan or message.
A special feature of NCGM is the National County Government Month Award. The purpose of the award program is to encourage counties to participate in NCGM and recognize nationally counties that sponsor outstanding programs in April. The National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) — a NACo affiliate — will judge the entries. Three counties will receive the top award in rural, suburban and metropolitan counties, and — new this year — second place awards will be presented.
All entries will be posted online to serve as a database of ideas for other counties to use. There is no cost to apply. Applications must be received by Friday, May 25 to be eligible.
Whether your county applies for an award or not, NACo wants to know about your county’s NCGM activities and programs you have planned. A special online form is available on the NACo website to inform NACo about your county’s NCGM plans.
There you will be able to and upload your photos, flyers, calendars, proclamations and other county government month materials so NACo can share this information with other counties to help them have a successful celebration. You may also send your activities and materials directly to NACo Media Relations Manager Jim Philipps at jphilipps@naco.org.