Elected Officials Academy (EOA)

Building Better Local Leaders

The Elected Officials Academy (EOA) is NYCOM's two-tiered professional development program designed to recognize and encourage the educational and leadership achievements of elected city and village officials.

Today's municipal leaders face increasingly complex challenges — balancing budgets, addressing community needs, navigating legal requirements, advocating for local priorities, and leading their communities through times of change. The Elected Officials Academy was created to help elected officials build the knowledge, skills, and leadership tools needed to meet those challenges successfully.

Through participation in NYCOM conferences, training schools, webinars, workshops, advocacy initiatives, and leadership opportunities, elected officials earn credits while expanding their understanding of municipal government and strengthening their effectiveness as local leaders.

The Academy is open to all elected officials serving NYCOM member cities and villages, including mayors, council members, trustees, and elected administrative officials

Why Participate?

The Elected Officials Academy provides a structured path for elected officials to:

● Gain practical knowledge of municipal government operations and responsibilities
● Develop stronger leadership and decision-making skills
● Stay informed on emerging issues affecting local governments
● Strengthen advocacy efforts on behalf of their communities
● Connect with municipal leaders from across New York State
● Receive recognition for their commitment to professional development and public service

Most importantly, the knowledge and experience gained through the Academy benefits the communities you serve by helping you become a more informed, effective, and confident local leader.

Program Structure

Participants may earn recognition at two levels:

Level 1 – Education Award
The Education Award recognizes elected officials who have completed foundational coursework and demonstrated a commitment to continuing education, conference participation, and municipal advocacy.

Level 2 – Leadership Award
The Leadership Award builds upon the Education Award and recognizes officials who have expanded their educational achievements while taking on leadership, advocacy, and service roles within NYCOM and the municipal community.

Program Components

Credits may be earned through a combination of:

● Core educational courses offered by NYCOM
● Elective courses, webinars, workshops, and approved training programs
● Attendance at NYCOM conferences and training schools
● Municipal advocacy activities at the state and federal levels
● Leadership and service opportunities with NYCOM and affiliated organizations

Enrollment and Participation

Participation in the Elected Officials Academy is voluntary and available at no cost to elected officials from NYCOM member municipalities.

To enroll, simply complete an EOA Credit Verification Form at any NYCOM conference or training school. Once enrolled, NYCOM staff will maintain your EOA transcript and help track your progress toward earning Academy recognition.

Please note that certain advocacy and leadership activities occur outside of NYCOM events and may not be automatically reflected on your EOA transcript. Participants are responsible for notifying NYCOM of any qualifying activities so that appropriate credits can be recorded.

Recognition

Participants who successfully complete the Education Award or Leadership Award will receive public recognition from NYCOM for their achievement and commitment to excellence in municipal leadership.

In addition, NYCOM will recognize any City Council or Village Board of Trustees whose entire governing body completes one or both levels of the Academy.

Credit Requirements

LEVEL 1 - EDUCATION AWARD

To earn the Education Award, participants must complete 25 credits distributed among the following categories:

CORE: Fundamentals of Financial Management

2 Credits
CORE: Fundamentals of Leadership Roles and Responsibilities

2 Credits
CORE: Fundamentals of the Legal Framework of Municipalities

2 Credits
CORE: Fundamentals of Employer-Employee Relations

2 Credits
Elective Courses, Affiliate Courses, or On-Site Training

10 Credits
Advocacy Activities

3 Credits
Conference Attendance

4 Credits
TOTAL REQUIRED CREDITS

25 CREDITS

LEVEL 2 - LEADERSHIP AWARD

Participants who have completed the Education Award may continue toward the Leadership Award.

To earn the Leadership Award, participants must accumulate an additional 30 credits, for a total of 55 credits, including the following requirements:

CORE: Fundamentals of Financial Management

2 Credits
CORE: Fundamentals of Leadership Roles and Responsibilities

2 Credits
CORE: Fundamentals of the Legal Framework of Municipalities

2 Credits
CORE: Fundamentals of Employer-Employee Relations

2 Credits
Leadership Roles

6 Credits
Elective Courses, Affiliate Courses, or On-Site Training

26 Credits
Advocacy Activities

6 Credits
Conference Attendance

9 Credits
TOTAL REQUIRED CREDITS

25 CREDITS

Note: Credits earned toward the Education Award count toward the Leadership Award requirements.

NYCOM Conference Attendance Credits

Winter Legislative Meeting (February)

1 Credit
Annual Meeting and Training School (May)

1 Credit
Fall Training School for City & Village Clerks (September)

Up to 3 Credits
Public Works Training School (October)

Up to 2 Credits
Legislative Priorities Meeting (November)

1 Credit

Advocacy Credits

Attendance at NYCOM Winter Legislative Meeting

1 Credit
Attendance at NYCOM Legislative Priorities Meeting

1 Credit
Attendance at NYCOM Lobby Day

1 Credit
Meet with a state or federal elected official regarding a NYCOM or community issue

1 Credit
Letter to a legislator

1 Credit
Written or oral testimony before the State Legislature or Congress

3 Credits
Service on a NYCOM Policy Committee, Advocacy Committee, or Advisory Committee

2 Credits per year

Level 2 - Leadership Role Credits

Service as a NYCOM Executive Committee member

2 Credits per year
Service on a NYCOM Nominating Committee

1 Credit
Service as a New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal board member

2 Credits per year
Service as a New York State Municipal Workers' Compensation Alliance board member

2 Credits per year
Service as an officer of a NYCOM Affiliate, including a countywide mayors association

1 Credit per year
Service as a panelist or speaker at a NYCOM event

2 Credits
Service as a moderator at a NYCOM event

1 Credit
Promote NYCOM's message through speaking engagements, presentations, social media, or similar outreach

2 Credits
Write an article for NYCOM's Municipal Matters magazine

2 Credits
Author or co-sign an op-ed or article regarding a NYCOM initiative or priority

1 Credit
Radio or television interview regarding a NYCOM legislative priority

1 Credit

Elective, Affiliate, and On-Site Training Credits

Elective course credits are equal to the number of hours of the class (e.g., a two-hour class received two credits).

Examples of qualifying topics include:

● Board Governance
● Communications and Community Relations
● Economic Development
● Energy and Sustainability
● Human Resources
● Leadership Development
● Municipal Finance
● Municipal Law
● Planning and Zoning
● Strategic Planning
● Technology and Innovation

Approved training offered by other organizations may also qualify for EOA credit. Supporting documentation, including an agenda and proof of attendance, may be required.

Duel-Credit Opportunities

The following events qualify for both Conference Attendance and Advocacy credit:

NYCOM Winter Legislative Meeting

2 Conference Credits
1 Advocacy Credit
NYCOM Legislative Priorities Meeting

1 Conference Credit
1 Advocacy Credit