Since taking office, Demopolis Mayor Cecil P. Williamson has learned a lot about what it takes to keep her city headed in the right direction.

Recently, the National League of Cities announced her willingness to learn on the job would be recognized in the nations capital.

Williamson will be honored by the National League of Cities (NLC) for reaching the bronze level in its Certificate of Achievement in Leadership program. The award, which is sponsored by the NLC Leadership Training Institute, will be presented in Washington D.C. at the annual Congressional City Conference in March.

Participation in the classes, Williamson said, was a great way for her and the city to stay ahead of the game.

“These classes are just a way for me to learn how to do this job better,” Williamson said. “That is what I am trying to do, learn to do this job as well as I can.”

The Bronze Certificate level is achieved by city officials when they earn 16 credits in all five of the core competency areas of municipal leadership. Williamson is one of less than 350 NLC members to reach the bronze level in the Certificate of Achievement in Leadership program.

Each of the training seminars addresses one or more of the core areas of municipal leadership such as personal leadership growth and development, effective governance, effective communications and media relations, skills in developing and promoting partnerships, and promoting and managing change.

These are referred to in the curriculum as cornerstone, competent practitioner, communicator, collaborator and catalyst.

There are three more levels after bronze. Williamson said she plans to continue to participate in the program and move forward.

“They have several different categories,” Williamson said. “The next class I will go for is the silver. After that, they have gold and platinum.”

The NLC’s Leadership Training Council established the Certificate of Achievement in Leadership program in 1999. The primary purpose of the program is to recognize and acknowledge excellence in leadership by NLC members.