On Wednesday, March 30th, we said a fond farewell to our Newly Elected Officials Course class of 2022 and wished them luck on their journey to achieve Excellence in Local Government. This round of NEOC saw a record-breaking roster of graduates with the most in-depth course yet, featuring over 50 hours of educational content.

In the final weeks leading up to the big Graduation Dinner, however, our officials faced a unique challenge.

The weather across the region behaved itself throughout NEOC, with session dates dodging the few winter storms that would hit the area just before or just after. However, it seems to be a tradition that at least one winter storm will align directly with a session, and so it did this year. Our session on Planning & Intergovernmental Partnerships was canceled before inches of snow and ice coated the roads.

This year, to keep momentum going and ensure our officials didn’t miss out on best practices to ensure a thriving community, we pivoted. With some quick rescheduling and the dedication of our volunteer instructors, the session was divided into five webinars across three weekdays. The virtual sessions during the lunch hour and in the evening made it possible for attendees to join in or watch the recordings.

That following Saturday, our officials showed up to the Robert A. Read Performing Arts Center at Gateway High School for the concluding session of NEOC, Protecting Public Health – What to Know About Water and Wastewater, to complete their jam-packed educational week.

Four days later, NEOC Graduates came together for an evening of celebration at the Hilton DoubleTree Hotel in Green Tree. Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and our own Board Vice Chair, Penn Hills Council Member Catherine Sapp, addressed the achievements of our 2022 Class. Graduate John Burwell, the first Black mayor of Homestead, then spoke on inspiration for the future.

The final weeks of NEOC were a rush to the finish line, but officials reaffirmed their dedication to their roles as local leaders by showing up ready to learn and represent their communities.

Good luck, NEOC Class of 2022!