Serve. Empower. Connect.

Network and engage with peers and help shape municipal policy. 

Take your involvement with NLC to new heights by joining one of our Federal Advocacy Committees, Member Councils, or Constituency Groups. Each network gives local elected officials a space to express themselves, connect with people facing similar challenges in an ever-changing world, and advocate for the needs of their community at the national level. Councils, Groups & Committees Membership Applications are currently closed.   

  • Shape National Municipal Policy — Join a Federal Advocacy Committee
  • Connect with Cities Like Yours – Join a Member Council
  • Advocate for Diversity in Cities — Join a Constituency Group

NLC accepts membership applications for the following groups:

Federal advocacy Committees
Federal Advocacy Committees
  • Community & Economic Development
  • Energy, Environment & Natural Resources 
  • Finance Administration & Intergovernmental Relations 
  • Human Development 
  • Information Technology & Communications 
  • Public Safety & Crime Prevention
  • Transportation & Infrastructure Services 

Ready to apply to a Federal Advocacy Committee? Start your application now. Current committee members MUST reapply.

Member councils
Member Councils

Our member councils provide a networking space for interacting with other local elected officials whose communities are similar.

  • First Tier Suburbs Council
  • Large Cities Council
  • Military Communities Council 
  • Small Cities Council 
  • University Communities Council 
  • Council on Youth, Education, and Families 
  • Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL) Council 

Ready to apply to a Member Council? Start your application now. Current council members MUST reapply.

Constituency Groups
Constituency Groups
  • Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials (APAMO)
  • Hispanic Elected Local Officials (HELO) 
  • LGBTQ+ Local Officials (LGBTQ+LO)
  • Local Indigenous Leaders (LIL)
  • National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO) 
  • Women in Municipal Government (WIMG) 

Ready to apply to a Constituency? Start your application now. Current constituency group members do NOT need to reapply.

Eligibility

To serve as a member of an NLC council, committee or constituency group, the applicant must:

  • Submit an application form electronically by December 1, 2023.
  • Be from an NLC direct or affiliate member city.

Log into MyNLC on a desktop computer to start your application now.

Not sure of your municipality’s membership status? Please contact NLC membership for verification at membership@nlc.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many committees, councils or groups can I join as a member?   

This application allows you to apply for membership in up to three committees, councils, or groups. It’s important to note that you can only be a member of one Federal Advocacy Committee. If you would like to join additional Member Councils or Constituency Groups, please reach out to membership@nlc.org for further assistance. 

What are the preferences?   

In the case of applying for multiple Federal Advocacy Committees, the preferences tab serves as a tool to help the NLC President make their appointments. While the preferences tab is typically not as critical for Member Councils or Constituency Groups, it is still a required part of the application process. 

Do I have to reapply if I am already a member of a specific committee, council or group this year?   

Membership in Federal Advocacy Committees and Member Councils is valid for one calendar year. If you would like to continue your membership in a current committee or council for 2024, you will need to complete a new application by the December 1 deadline. Constituency Group memberships remain in effect as long as you hold a local office position, and your city maintains its NLC membership. 

I applied for a leadership position, do I have to apply for membership in that committee, council, or group too?   

No, if you’ve applied for a leadership position within a specific committee, council, or group, your application will also be considered for membership. If you applied for a leadership role but are not selected, you will automatically transition into a member role in December 2023. 

When is the deadline to apply for membership in a committee, council, or group?  

The deadline to join a Federal Advocacy Committee and Member Council is December 1, 2023. Constituency Group applications will remain open year-round.   

I’ve submitted my application to join a council and committee. What should I expect next? 

The NLC President will review and approve all members who applied for councils and committees. We anticipate that members will be notified of their status by NLC staff by December 18, 2023.   

I am a city staffer and my city is an NLC member city, can I join a committee, council, or group?   

Yes, city staffers can apply to join Federal Advocacy Committees and Member Councils. They can also join Constituency Groups but will be a non-voting Associate Member.   

My city is not a member of the NLC. Can I still become a member of a committee, council, or group? 

Individuals from non-member cities are not eligible to join Federal Advocacy Committees and Member Councils, as these are exclusive opportunities available to NLC member cities. However, you can still participate in a Constituency Group as a “Supporting Member,” which requires an annual fee of $75. For additional details, please contact constituencygroups@nlc.org.  

Join NLC Today

Not an NLC Member City? Click the “Join Now” button and fill out the embedded form on the page to start the application process.