Citizens academy program leaders in Cumberland, Guilford and Nash counties discuss challenges, details, differences in programs, and success stories during a workshop held at the 2013 North Carolina Association of County Commissioners' Annual Conference.

1. By the People, For the People:
County Government 101 for Citizens
Kay Cashion,
Guilford County
Commissioner
Patsy King
McGhee, Nash
County Assistant
to the County
Manager
Martha Rogers,
Guilford County
Internal Audit
Director
Sally Shutt,
Cumberland
County Chief
Public Information
Director
Over the past two decades, more than a dozen counties have taken to heart the task of educating
the public about county government. Citizens academies are typically labor intensive for staff from a
planning and presentation perspective and can require a five- to 10-night commitment from
participating citizens, but the rewards of building a core group of educated citizens that are ready to
become engaged in county government outweighs the challenges associated with sponsoring a
citizens academy. Program leaders in three counties discuss challenges, details, differences in
programs, and success stories in this workshop held Aug. 23 at the 2013 NCACC Annual Conference.

3. Educate, Inform and Engage
•
Strategic Initiative

4. Quick Takes
• FREE
• 28 graduated from
first class in Nov. 2012
• 32 graduated
in April 2013
• Seven weekly sessions on Tuesdays, 6 – 9 p.m.
• Various county locations
• Light refreshments; binders provided

5. Session Format
• Three to four
department
presentations per
night
• Meeting simulation
in Commissioners
Chamber

6. Tours
• Animal Shelter
• Sheriff’s
Training Center
• Crown Coliseum
• Landfill

7. Response
• Online evaluation surveys sent the next day
work best
• County’s Appointed Board Application
includes a block to check if individual has
attended the academy
• To date, three graduates have been appointed

8. Strategic Initiative Expanded
• Youth Citizens’
Academy held
this summer

9. Strategic Initiative Expanded
• Appointed Board Welcome and Information
Session held August 13

10. From more information, contact:
Sally Shutt
Public Information Director
910-437-1921
sshutt@co.cumberland.nc.us
www.co.cumberland.nc.us

11. By the People, For the People:
County Government 101 for Citizens
Kay Cashion,
Guilford County
Commissioner
Patsy King
McGhee, Nash
County Assistant
to the County
Manager
Martha Rogers,
Guilford County
Internal Audit
Director
Sally Shutt,
Cumberland
County Chief
Public Information
Director
Now speaking: Patsy King McGhee
describing Nash County Government Works

12. By the People, For the People:
County Government 101 for Citizens
Kay Cashion,
Guilford County
Commissioner
Patsy King
McGhee, Nash
County Assistant
to the County
Manager
Martha Rogers,
Guilford County
Internal Audit
Director
Sally Shutt,
Cumberland
County Chief
Public Information
Director
Now speaking: Martha Rogers describing
Guilford County Citizen’s Academy

13. By the People, For the People:
County Government 101 for Citizens
Kay Cashion,
Guilford County
Commissioner
Patsy King
McGhee, Nash
County Assistant
to the County
Manager
Martha Rogers,
Guilford County
Internal Audit
Director
Sally Shutt,
Cumberland
County Chief
Public Information
Director
Q&A
Fees for participants

14. By the People, For the People:
County Government 101 for Citizens
Kay Cashion,
Guilford County
Commissioner
Patsy King
McGhee, Nash
County Assistant
to the County
Manager
Martha Rogers,
Guilford County
Internal Audit
Director
Sally Shutt,
Cumberland
County Chief
Public Information
Director
Q&A
Community partners for delivery

15. By the People, For the People:
County Government 101 for Citizens
Kay Cashion,
Guilford County
Commissioner
Patsy King
McGhee, Nash
County Assistant
to the County
Manager
Martha Rogers,
Guilford County
Internal Audit
Director
Sally Shutt,
Cumberland
County Chief
Public Information
Director
Q&A
Elected official participants

16. By the People, For the People:
County Government 101 for Citizens
Kay Cashion,
Guilford County
Commissioner
Patsy King
McGhee, Nash
County Assistant
to the County
Manager
Martha Rogers,
Guilford County
Internal Audit
Director
Sally Shutt,
Cumberland
County Chief
Public Information
Director
Q&A
Impact on county employees

17. By the People, For the People:
County Government 101 for Citizens
Kay Cashion,
Guilford County
Commissioner
Patsy King
McGhee, Nash
County Assistant
to the County
Manager
Martha Rogers,
Guilford County
Internal Audit
Director
Sally Shutt,
Cumberland
County Chief
Public Information
Director
Q&A
Budgets for Citizens Academies programs

18. By the People, For the People:
County Government 101 for Citizens
Kay Cashion,
Guilford County
Commissioner
Patsy King
McGhee, Nash
County Assistant
to the County
Manager
Martha Rogers,
Guilford County
Internal Audit
Director
Sally Shutt,
Cumberland
County Chief
Public Information
Director
Q&A
Marketing/getting the word out

19. By the People, For the People:
County Government 101 for Citizens
Kay Cashion,
Guilford County
Commissioner
Patsy King
McGhee, Nash
County Assistant
to the County
Manager
Martha Rogers,
Guilford County
Internal Audit
Director
Sally Shutt,
Cumberland
County Chief
Public Information
Director
Q&A
Course curriculum

20. By the People, For the People:
County Government 101 for Citizens
Kay Cashion,
Guilford County
Commissioner
Patsy King
McGhee, Nash
County Assistant
to the County
Manager
Martha Rogers,
Guilford County
Internal Audit
Director
Sally Shutt,
Cumberland
County Chief
Public Information
Director
Q&A
Class size and participant demographics

21. By the People, For the People:
County Government 101 for Citizens
Kay Cashion,
Guilford County
Commissioner
Patsy King
McGhee, Nash
County Assistant
to the County
Manager
Martha Rogers,
Guilford County
Internal Audit
Director
Sally Shutt,
Cumberland
County Chief
Public Information
Director
Q&A
Keeping alumni involved

22. By the People, For the People:
County Government 101 for Citizens
Kay Cashion,
Guilford County
Commissioner
Patsy King
McGhee, Nash
County Assistant
to the County
Manager
Martha Rogers,
Guilford County
Internal Audit
Director
Sally Shutt,
Cumberland
County Chief
Public Information
Director
Q&A
Feedback from alumni

23. By the People, For the People:
County Government 101 for Citizens
Kay Cashion,
Guilford County
Commissioner
Patsy King
McGhee, Nash
County Assistant
to the County
Manager
Martha Rogers,
Guilford County
Internal Audit
Director
Sally Shutt,
Cumberland
County Chief
Public Information
Director
Q&A
Graduation and alumni involvement

24. By the People, For the People:
County Government 101 for Citizens
Kay Cashion,
Guilford County
Commissioner
Patsy King
McGhee, Nash
County Assistant
to the County
Manager
Martha Rogers,
Guilford County
Internal Audit
Director
Sally Shutt,
Cumberland
County Chief
Public Information
Director
Mary Wells (Nash County), Cashion
on the value of the course for new
county commissioners