Membership

Governors are leading on bipartisan solutions to challenges facing their state citizens. The National Governors Association (NGA), founded in 1908, is the only bipartisan organization whose mission is to assist Governors in that task. Through NGA, Governors identify priority issues, express their mutual concerns, develop policy, and take collective action on issues related to state-federal relations. NGA is the voice of the leaders of the 55 states, territories, and commonwealths.

NGA offers an array of services to help collaboratively tell the states’ story

Thanks to decades of broad expertise, NGA teams are able to work side-by-side with territory and state leaders to identify challenges, consider best practices for state policymaking, and provide resources from experts in key areas.

WORKING IN THE STATES

NGA’s Membership team offers support through member driven events and programs, robust networking and educational opportunities, and timely, technical assistance to both new and incumbent Governors, their Spouses, and senior executive staff.

SHARING BETWEEN STATES

Teams from the Center for Best Practices work with state and territory policy leaders, and other key stakeholders, to exchange trusted information and assist in the research and development of solutions to public policy challenges.

ADVOCATING FOR THE STATES

NGA’s Government Relations team works with state-federal teams across all states and territories to advocate for the bipartisan policy priorities of Governors with federal agencies, Congress, and the White House.

SUPPORTING PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

NGA’s Development Team works with NGA’s Corporate Partners, and association leaders, to promote information sharing, help Governors stay ahead of the curve and support bipartisan solutions to the challenges facing state governments.

Contact Us

Membership Program Director
Ann Corcoran

Membership Relations Manager
Tyler Clendenin

Membership Relations Manager
Caroline Colavita

Member Services

NGA’s dedicated membership team provides enhanced resources, services and assistance to Governors, Governors’ Spouses, and their staff, through the complete life cycle of a Governor’s term, from election day through the final year in office.

Signature Events – We support our members through flagship NGA events such as our Winter Meeting, and Annual Summer Meeting, where Governors come together for thought leadership, peer networking, and meaningful dialogue on key issues of importance.

GOVERNORS’ STAFF PROGRAMS

NGA organizes annual peer-to-peer learning meetings designed for senior staff to share best practices, innovative approaches to managing their offices, and address their top priorities. The meetings are complimentary to attend and at many events NGA covers the transportation and hotel cost when meeting in person.

Programs include: Chiefs of Staff Convening; Policy Summit; Legal Counsel Convening; State-Federal Affairs Convening; Governors’ & Spouses’ Schedulers, Executive Assistants and Residence Managers Workshop; Chief Operating Officer Convenings; Constituent Services, Communications and Boards & Commissions Appointment Directors and more.

PEER CONNECTIONS, SURVEYS & RESEARCH

NGA facilitates a variety of peer connection services, member introductions, and virtual educational opportunities for peer groups to engage with their counterparts in a forum where they can expand upon insights and ideas. NGA also manages benchmarking surveys to aid members with their pressing questions; and can conduct short-term research to provide a comparative analysis of common state management and operational practices.

Materials and Publications – NGAmaintains a library of best practices, lessons learned and advice; and a variety of leadership and management publications that offer detailed analyses of topics from Governor’s office operation models to state government leadership practices.

TRANSITION SERVICES

NGA provides assistance to newly elected Governors and their teams, as they prepare for office; and assistance to Governors and their teams when departing office. These unique services focus on themes such as organizing and operating the Governor’s office and assisting them with resources for the many critical issues they’ll need to consider when they take office or transition out of office.

Every ‘even year’ Governors-elect come together for the a Seminar for New Governors, which is the premier program for new Governors and faculty Governors alike.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

First Spouses Program

The NGA First Spouses Program drives activities for Governors’ Spouses to share experiences, promote best practices, foster information sharing on Spouses’ initiatives and compare notes with colleagues about their unique roles and responsibilities. The Spouses meet during NGA’s Winter and Annual Summer Meetings and in virtual settings throughout the year. This collective voice helps to amplify shared issues of importance across all states and territories.

State Government Careers

To help Governors and staff members find quality candidates for open positions, NGA has included online information on NGA.org dedicated to state government careers. Governors or their staff members may post open positions, which visitors can view or follow links directing them to more information or where to apply.