NACo 2023 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

POLICY RESOLUTIONS & PLATFORM CHANGES

DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21

In preparation for the National Association of Counties (NACo) 2023 Annual Conference & Exposition, NACo members are invited to submit policy resolutions and platform changes to be considered during the conference. The deadline to submit resolutions is Wednesday, June 21.

The NACo resolutions process offers members the opportunity to participate in national policy decisions affecting county governments. During the Annual Conference, NACo’s 10 policy steering committees, board of directors and the general membership will consider proposed policy resolutions and platform language to guide NACo’s advocacy efforts until the next NACo Annual Conference in July 2024.

The American County Platform and the association’s policy resolutions are carefully considered statements of the needs and interests of county governments. These federal policy statements serve as a guide for NACo members and staff to advance the association’s policy agenda before Congress, the White House and federal agencies.

Please refer to the comprehensive overview of NACo’s policy resolution process here.

HOW TO SUBMIT AND FORMAT RESOLUTIONS

When submitting resolutions and platform changes, please work with the appropriate steering committee staff liaison to adhere to the following guidelines:

All policy resolutions must be submitted electronically as a Word document via email to resolutions@naco.org by June 21, 2023. Submissions MUST identify the title and issue area in the email subject line (e.g. Social Services Block Grant, Human Services and Education).

Resolutions should be concise and no more than one page in length. The standard format includes:

  • Issue: Short sentence stating the purpose of the resolution and how the issue impacts counties
  • Proposed policy: Concise statement specifying a position or action by NACo and/or other entities
  • Background: 1–2 paragraph statement clearly outlining the county interest in the particular issue
  • Fiscal/urban/rural impact: Short statement addressing the potential impact(s) for counties in the specific issue area
  • Sponsor: Name and contact information of NACo member sponsoring the resolution. It is important to include contact information so that the NACo staff can follow up if there are any questions or additional information is required.

Sample Resolution

Policy Process Overview

IMPORTANT REMINDER

If you plan to submit a policy resolution, you (or a designated representative) must be present in person during the steering committee meeting at the 2023 Annual Conference to introduce and explain the resolution.

PLATFORM CHANGES AND EXISTING RESOLUTIONS

Platform changes may also be considered at the Annual Conference. All resolutions previously passed, both at last year’s 2022 Annual Business Meeting and at NACo’s 2023 Legislative Conference, expire at this conference and must be resubmitted as either a resolution or platform change in order to continue as NACo policy.

QUESTIONS?

We are happy to help. Please contact NACo Director of Government Affairs Eryn Hurley at ehurley@naco.org, or the appropriate steering committee liaison, with additional questions or concerns. Click here to see NACo’s government affairs staff contact list.