Following the statewide advocacy and engagement of VACo’s Local Government Day, county leaders gathered again on February 6 and February 7 for the VACo Chairpersons’ Institute — a dedicated training event designed to strengthen leadership, management, and vital skills for County Board Chairs and Vice Chairs.
Purpose & Focus
The Institute offered a collaborative and peer-to-peer learning environment to help county Board Chairs and Vice Chairs enhance their effectiveness in leading their boards and serving their communities. Sessions centered on practical leadership topics, governance responsibilities, and strategies for facilitating productive board operations.
Program Highlights
- Two days of interactive training: Participants engaged in facilitated discussions, skill-building exercises, and shared experiences with fellow board leaders.
Practical learning: Topics targeted core duties of a board chair or vice chair, including meeting management, effective communication, conflict navigation, and consensus building (based on the design focus of the Institute). - Networking & peer support: Attendees had opportunities to build relationships with Chairs and Vice Chairs from across the Commonwealth, exchanging insights and best practices for leadership in county governance.
Event Setting & Participation
The two-day Chairs Institute reinforced the value of continued professional growth as an elected official after Local Government Day at the Capitol.