Leadership Credits

Lead Beyond Your Elected Role

Leadership in local government extends beyond the council or board table. EOA Leadership credits recognize the ways you contribute your time, experience, and perspective to support other officials, strengthen the League, and serve in leadership roles within your community and beyond.

You can earn Leadership credits through formal leadership roles, service to the League and other organizations, peer support, speaking and facilitation, and other activities that demonstrate your continued involvement as a local leader.

Ways to Earn Leadership Credits

  • Represent the League through an outside speaking or outreach opportunity – 2 credits
    Share League information, resources, priorities, or experiences through a speaking engagement or presentation.
  • Serve as a panelist or speaker at a League event – 2 credits
  • Serve as a moderator or volunteer at Capital Conference or Convention – 1 credit
  • Serve as a moderator for an EOA Summit – 2 credits
  • Serve as a League committee member – 1 credit per year
  • Serve on the League Board of Trustees or EOA Advisory Board – 2 credits per year
  • Serve on the Michigan Municipal Workers’ Compensation Fund Board – 2 credits per year
  • Serve on the Michigan Municipal Liability & Property Pool Board – 2 credits per year
  • Serve on the League Foundation Board – 2 credits per year
  • Serve as an officer of a League affiliate organization – 1 credit per year
  • Serve as a National League of Cities committee member – 2 credits per year
  • Serve on the National League of Cities Board of Directors – 2 credits per year
  • Participate in a mayors’ exchange – 1 credit
  • Write an article for The Review, the League website, or a League blog – 2 credits
  • Sponsor a youth participant at Capital Conference – 1 credit maximum
  • Participate in a topic-specific radio, television, or podcast interview – 1 credit

Leadership Beyond the League

  • Chair a committee outside the League – 1 credit per year
    Credit applies only when you serve as the committee chair.
  • Serve as a precinct delegate – 1 credit
  • Serve on a county or regional board – 1 credit per year

Support Other Elected Officials

  • Welcome Check-In – 1 credit
    Reach out to a newly elected local official by phone, virtual meeting, or email to offer encouragement, answer questions, and connect them with helpful League resources.
  • Promote EOA and Newly Elected Officials resources to peers – 1 credit
    Following local elections, proactively share EOA resources or information about the League’s Newly Elected Officials training with incoming officials in your region.
  • Informal Shadowing – 1 credit
    Invite a new or prospective elected official to attend a public meeting, board session, or community event with you to observe and learn more about the role.
  • Introductory Coffee or Chat – 2 credits
    Meet virtually or in person with a newly elected official to share leadership advice, answer questions, and connect them with useful League resources.
  • Peer Nomination – 2 credits
    Nominate a fellow local official for a League award, helping recognize their contributions and connect them with additional opportunities.

Help Share the League’s Work

You can also earn Leadership credits by helping share League programs, resources, and experiences with your professional and peer networks. Eligible social media posts must be public and League-related. When submitting the activity for credit, include a screenshot or link.

  • Original Social Media Post – 1 credit
    Share a personal takeaway, experience, or insight from a League event, program, or resource and tag the League.
  • Event or Course Promotion – 1 credit
    Encourage other local officials to participate in an upcoming League training, webinar, conference, or other learning opportunity, and share why you believe it would be valuable.
  • Repost with Commentary – 1 credit
    Share League content with your own substantive insight or reflection rather than simply reposting it.

Submit Your Leadership Activities

When submitting Leadership activities through the League portal, provide enough detail for staff to understand the role you played and the activity completed. Include the organization or group involved, your role or contribution, the date or timeframe, and any supporting information that helps verify your participation.