On March 11, Mayor Harold E. Thompson will be recognized by the National League of Cities (NLC) at its annual Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C.
The NLC will recognize Thompson for reaching the Gold level — earning the title of Leadership Ambassador — in its Certificate of Achievement in Leadership program, which is sponsored by the NLC Leadership Training Institute (LTI).
To achieve the Gold level, state or regional officials must earn 50 credits encompassing all five core competency areas of the LTI curriculum, referred to as “Cornerstone,” “Competent Practitioner,” “Communicator,” “Collaborator” and “Catalyst.”
Fewer than 242 NLC members have reached the Gold level in the Certificate of Achievement in Leadership program since its inception in 1999.
“The classes take you through a lot from start to finish,” Thompson said. “They have helped me stay efficient in doing what I do and be sure I do it in a professional manner. They’ve helped me wade through things I wouldn’t have known how to handle.”
Thompson said the classes have been helpful in areas regarding ethics and integrity, communications, potential partnerships, community branding and the pitfalls of economic development.
Particularly regarding economic development, Thompson said he has learned a lot about what role the city and the mayor play.
“I’ve learned what to do and what not to do,” he said.
Thompson also said the classes have taught him new ways to utilize his team and its resources.
“We have a good team here, and everything we do is to benefit the citizens of Union,” Thompson said.
Thompson said one of those things the City of Union does to benefit its citizens is stay aware of available enterprise programs, which would remain unknown to the city if not for the NLC.
Such programs include a service line warranty program provided through a partnership between the NLC and Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA). This program offers a warranty available to homeowners for repairs on the outside sewer line running from the home to the utility connection. The warranty is available to City of Union citizens for $59 per year or $5.50 per month. For more information on this program — or to enroll — visit SLWA’s website at http://www.utilitylineprotection.com.
Another program which is available to City of Union residents because of the city’s membership in the NLC is a Prescription Discout Card program. The program offers savings on prescription drugs to residents who are without health insurance, a tra ditional benefits plan or have prescriptions which are not covered by insurance.
The card is free to all City of Union residents, regardless of age, income or existing health insurance. By using this card, citiznes may save an average of 20 percent off the regular retail price of prescription drugs at participating pharmacies.
Visit www.caremark.com/nlc to access the program online and print a card, check drugs prices and locate participating pharmacies. For more information, call toll free: 1-888-620-1749.
NLC is committed to strengthening and promoting the leadership capacity of the nation’s local elected officials. As part of the NLC mission to create stronger communities, the Leadership Training Institute provides local officials with the professional development opportunities to assist then in promoting positive change and innovation within their communities. At the same time, seminars are designed to explore the nature and practice of local governmental leadership.
The National League of Cities is the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.
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