Navigating Challenging Issues through Community Engagement

Discount available for groups

This course will take place in person at the School of Government from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00p.m.

This course is open to both professional and elected officials.

Local government leaders face challenging situations where they benefit from hearing from a wide range of perspectives.  Intense emotions arising from such situations can serve as obstacles, hindering the ability to engage effectively. During this interactive workshop, participants will explore tools for identifying and involving diverse perspectives, equipping leaders with the essential skills to navigate complex and challenging issues. 

This workshop addresses:

  • Tools for better understanding community dynamics
  • Designing for broad-based participation
  • Tools for facilitating civil, inclusive, and productive dialogue

LELA Level:  This is a 301 Level course in the Local Elected Leaders Academy. Elected officials who attend this class will earn 6 credits towards the Mentor recognition certificate.  

Members of Civic Federal Credit Union (Civic) and Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU), who are local government employees, are eligible to apply for a scholarship towards tuition for conferences, classes, and seminars offered by the School of Government. There are four deadlines to submit applications:

  • March 1 (for courses starting between April 1 and June 30)
  • June 1 (for courses starting between July 1 and September 30)
  • September 1 (for courses starting between October 1 and December 31)
  • December 1 (for courses starting between January 1 and March 31)

The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners provides cost offsets for county elected officials to attend LELA courses. For information on this discount please click the link below.

  • Chapel Hill, NC
    May 22
    School of Government
    Knapp-Sanders Building
    Chapel Hill, NC 27599
    View Scholarship Information

    Members of Civic Federal Credit Union (Civic) and Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU), who are local government employees, are eligible to apply for a scholarship towards tuition for conferences, classes, and seminars offered by the School of Government. There are four deadlines to submit applications:

    • March 1 (for courses starting between April 1 and June 30)
    • June 1 (for courses starting between July 1 and September 30)
    • September 1 (for courses starting between October 1 and December 31)
    • December 1 (for courses starting between January 1 and March 31)

    The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners provides cost offsets for county elected officials to attend LELA courses. For information on this discount please click the link below.

    View Cancellation Policy
    Course participants who cancel their registration on or before May 14, 2025 will receive a full refund. No refund will be made for cancellations on or after May 15, 2025, but you will receive a transferrable credit to be used within 12 months. Click here to view the School’s full cancellation and refund policy.
    View Additional Information
    30
    $495.00
    Registration and payment for this course grants access for a single attendee. In order to register a group of attendees, please register each person individually. If you have questions, please contact our registration office at registration@sog.unc.edu or 919.966.4414.
There are no materials avaliable for this course at this time.
For all registration questions, resetting passwords, or login issues please contact:

Dale Zuckert

Assistant Registrar
919.966.4414
For questions regarding course details, including location, schedule, materials, and continuing education credits, please contact:

Ling Rudicil

Program Manager, Management, Administration, and Leadership Group
919.843.4958
Albert and Gladys Coates Distinguished Professor; Professor of Public Administration and Government; Director of Strategy, Programming, and Research, Center for Public Leadership and Governance
Assistant Professor of Public Administration and Government
Associate Professor of Public Administration and Government
Professor of Public Administration and Government; Director, Leading for Results Program