MACo seeks county elected or appointed officials who have completed the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance program to represent the Association on the Academy Council.

The Academy for Excellence in Local Governance is a voluntary certificate program for county and municipal officials, founded by the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) and the Maryland Municipal League (MML). It is facilitated by the University of Maryland School of Public Policy and is sponsored by the Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT). The Academy provides continuing education in local government issues, with a program of 8 Core courses and 6 Elective courses being required for a county Fellow to complete the program.

The Academy’s objectives are to:

1. increase understanding of local government and how it functions
2. promote high ethical standards in public service
3. provide an informational base for more informed policy making
4. develop the capacity of local officials to govern effectively, and
5. recognize local officials for their educational efforts.

A Council of representatives from MML, MACo, and the University govern the Council and make decisions regarding the structure of the programming and the strategic direction of the Academy. The Council also approves Academy Elective credits for sessions offered at MML, MACo, and LGIT events. Academy Council Meetings are held on a quarterly basis or more often, as-needed.

County officials who have completed the Academy program and would like to be considered as a candidate to represent MACo on the Academy Council are invited to contact Virginia White by June 25, 2015.

**If you are a county Fellow in the Academy and need information about your current Academy status and credits, please contact the Academy Registrar, Aisha Washington, at 301.314.2641.**