Background
North Carolina city managers first formed an association in 1938, when there were 24 municipalities with designated chief administrators.  City and County managers merged groups in 1964 with a new constitution establishing the North Carolina City and County Management Association.  Now, more than 270 cities and towns have appointed chief administrators (managers, administrator, supervisors), and 100 counties have appointed managers.

Goals
The Association seeks to improve city and county government, maintain and develop the professional competence of its members, and encourage and support professional general management government in North Carolina.  The active membership of the Association includes full-time appointed chief administrators of cities, counties and councils of government.  The NCCCMA is one of the few combined groups in the nation and was ahead of ICMA in including county managers and COG directors.  Assistant managers and assistants to managers are also admitted as associate members with full voting rights.  The officers and directors of the Association reflect this mix.

To improve the quality of local government, the Association works closely with the NC League of Municipalities, the NC Association of County Commissioners and the Institute of Government.  Having both city and county administrators in the organization encourages cooperation and the exchange of views.

Managers share ideas and innovations, build a network of mutual support and work together to adapt local government to a rapidly changing environment.

Activities
The Association’s activities include two annual meetings—a professional seminar each February coordinated by the Institute of Government, UNC-Chapel Hill, and a summer conference in a resort area.  Members are kept aware of Association activities, professional issues, and other career interests by The Administrator, the Association’s newsletter.  Committees and task forces are often used to address specific needs or concerns, and to carry out the business of the Association.  The Association sponsors scholarships for graduate students at all state universities offering masters degree programs in public administration.

Membership Categories & Criteria

Active Members—Any full-time appointed chief administrator of a North Carolina city, town, county or council of government holding or eligible to hold full or associate membership in the International City County Management Association (ICMA) OR Individuals serving as administrative assistants, assistant managers and assistant directors of ICMA-recognized local governments who have significant general management responsibilities.

Associate Members—A person no longer holding office but who has previously been an active member of this Association for at least five years; or a person who has been a faculty member of a recognized school of public administration in North Carolina for at least five years.

Members-Not-In-Service—Any active or associate member of this Association who has resigned or has been removed from a position with a city, town, county or COG may retain status as an active member on written request, approval of the Executive Committee and payment of annual dues.  Members not-in-service retain their voting rights, but cannot hold office.

Membership is not transferable; membership remains in the name of the individual and does not attach to the position.