Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership
The Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership recognizes mayors and councilmembers who continue to strive for excellence by attending conferences and trainings, serving their community, and further developing leadership skills. City officials are eligible to achieve the Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership after serving in office for at least one year.
To earn the Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership, an elected official must:
- Earn an additional 30 CML credits – including at least one training in the diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging competency area; and
- Meet the community service requirement (see below for details).
Training credits
At the discretion of AWC, credits toward the Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership may be earned through participation in the following:
- AWC CML credit-bearing conferences, trainings, and eLearnings.
- Workshops and trainings offered by other organizations:
- A maximum of 15 credits may be earned from non-AWC workshops and trainings, including those offered by the National League of Cities (NLC), Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC), and Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce).
- Some non-AWC trainings have been preapproved for CML credit. For example:
- Commerce’s Short Course on Local Planning (3 credits)
- Some MRSC webinars (credits vary)
- NLC Congressional City Conference (4 credits)
- NLC City Summit (5 credits)
- Elected officials interested in earning credits for trainings that are not preapproved for CML must submit a copy of the training’s agenda, session descriptions, and registration confirmation to AWC for evaluation and approval.
Community service
The Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership challenges leaders to step beyond their current role as elected officials and enhance their professional development through additional community service.
AWC Advanced CML community service application
For those applying through December 31, 2024: The community service must 1) be at least six months in duration, and 2) be completed while serving as an elected official, and 3) have occurred within the last five years.
Examples of community service include, but are not limited to:
- Board or committee position with AWC or NLC
- Board or committee chair positions with a community organization
- Service on a statewide commission, committee, council, or task force
- Leadership on projects such as fundraising efforts, campaigns, and major events
For those applying on or after January 1, 2025: The community service must be 1) at least six months in duration; 2) completed while serving as an elected official; and 3) completed within two years of applying for the Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership.
- The application must be submitted after successfully completing the core Certificate of Municipal Leadership and one year of service as an elected official.
Examples of community service include, but are not limited to:
- Board position or committee position with AWC or NLC
- Board member or committee chair position with a nonprofit community organization
- Service on a statewide commission, committee, council, or task force
Appointments and liaison work with local organizations as part of one’s council or mayoral duties do not qualify.
Previously approved community service applications
Elected officials who have previously approved community service applications have until July 1, 2025, to complete the educational credit requirements. After that date, candidates for the Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership are welcome to submit a new application.
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Contact cml@awcnet.org