A few examples are provided here for different sizes of communities and for the only joint city-county program currently underway in North Carolina. Use these agendas as inspiration, or go to the comparison table to view more detailed agendas for each of the programs now operating in North Carolina. A later section of this guide offers ideas for hands-on activities to keep your participants energized throughout the evening.

Elkin (population 4,152)

1. "The big picture"
   Municipal quiz, Elkin history, council-manager form of government, Council of Government, North Carolina League of Municipalities, role of advisory boards, functions of various departments including town attorney, Open Meetings Law
2. Show me the money
   Finance, tax administration, budget preparation
3. "HELP!!!" (police, fire, and emergency operations plan) and industrial development
4. Parks and recreation
5. Planning-zoning, airport, Mainstreet/downtown, library operations
6. Infrastructure - Public works
   Water, sewer, garbage, streets, sidewalks, recycling
7. "Up close and personal" - Tour of Elkin municipal water and sewer plants

Hickory (population 38,973)

1. Overview of neighborhood college and history of Hickory
2. Hickory's organization from head to toe
   Hickory's boards and commissions and the application process to serve on one
3. Budget and finance
   Discussion of the budget process and the city's finances
4. Parks and recreation
   An introduction to the city's 23 parks and recreation centers and a tour of Highland Recreation Center
5. Planning and transportation
   Planning, the transit system, and the airport, including an airport tour
6. Public services department
   Tour and demonstrations relating to streets, water, traffic, recycling, solid waste, and landscaping
7. Hickory police department
   Police department and a tour of police headquarters
8. Hickory fire department
   Fire department, a tour of Hickory’s newest fire station, and a “jaws of life” demonstration
9. Hickory public library
   Library system and tour of Patrick Beaver Memorial Library

Greensboro (population 233,190)

1. Ready, Set, GOv!
   Overview of local government process and pending issues, icebreaker, city Jeopardy game
2. Show me the money!
   Economic development, budget process (including budget-balancing exercise)
3. Blazing new trails
   Firehouse meal, fire prevention and safety, vehicle extrication and hose maneuvers
4. What moves you? (GDOT) / What’s the plan? (Planning)
   Transportation and GDOT equipment / Box city planning activity
5. Water wise
   Water treatment facility tour and Q&A
6. Rescue me!
   Overview of police operations and visits to the firing range and driving simulator
7. Leisure, literature, and museums
   Introduction to parks and recreation and tours of sportsplex, library, and historical museum
8. R-E-S-P-E-C-T
   Exploring diversity and human relations with role playing and team building exercises
9. Waste not, want not
   Recycling education center and working on the line separating recyclables
10. Connect the dots
    Roundtable discussion with city manager's staff and tour of the 911 communication center

Durham City and County (population 238,865)

1. Introduction to city and county services
2. Neighborhood: A simple definition of community
   InterNeighborhood council, public works and neighborhoods, animal control, housing
3. Emergency services
   Emergency management, joint information center, emergency medical services, emergency communication center-911, fire department
4. Safety
   Police department, office of the sheriff, tour of jail
5. Development
   Register of deeds, economic development, city/county inspections, city/county planning
6. Budget and Finance
   Budget (city or county), finance (city or county), tax office
7. Health and Human Services
   Public health, parks and recreation, social services, mental health
8. Case studies exercise
9. Environment
   County waste water expansion, city water and waste water, solid waste
10. Tour of Durham / Graduation