Get to Know NYCOM

Mission

The New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials (NYCOM) is an association of, and for, cities and villages in New York. Since 1910, NYCOM has united local government officials in an active statewide network focused on the singular purpose of finding the most effective means of providing essential municipal services. Through the active participation of our membership, which represents more than 12 million New Yorkers, NYCOM is an aggressive advocate for city and village interests before the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of state government, as we seek to ensure local home rule for the government closest to the people. Our association is a readily accessible source of practical information touching upon every area of municipal activity, and is also a leader in the on-going training and education of local officials. We also facilitate shared services and predictable costs through our partnership programs. Our Executive Committee and staff take pride in having NYCOM serve as an extension of your city or village hall staff.

If you're a new city or village official, NYCOM has a variety of resources to help you get off to the right start with information on every aspect of government operations, including municipal finance, economic development, ethics, open meetings, and much more.

Publications and Municipal Profiles

NYCOM's Handbook for City Officials and Handbook for Village Officials are comprehensive guidebooks for local officials that include information on a variety of topics all in one place. Each chapter covers a specific subject related to city and village operations to ensure you have a basic understanding of those municipal issues of greatest importance to what you do.  NYCOM also produces a variety of publications which provide a more in-depth understanding of specific issues, processes and procedures.

Each year, we collect updated information from each municipality’s primary contact during their election month (although changes can be made anytime via NYCOM’s membership database) in order to develop what NYCOM refers to as a Municipal Profile.

Your Municipal Profile acts as our master record to facilitate effective communication and ensure that you receive NYCOM mailings, announcements, and updates. Please review your Municipal Profile, which is accessible by both primary/alternate contacts* in the database (located under “Organization” then “Employees”), and update any details to reflect recent election results or other changes.

If you require assistance, please contact Nicole Ognan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

*This primary/alternate designation will be evident when you log into the system and all capabilities associated with such designation will be immediately available. To change the Primary or Alternate contact, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Inquiry Service

One of the most valuable services NYCOM offers is our legal and financial inquiry service.  Each year NYCOM staff handle thousands of phone calls and emails from NYCOM members, answering legal and technical queries.  The role of NYCOM’s attorneys is to answer general municipal law questions for city/village officials and serve as a professional resource for your municipal attorney.  Every local official should consult with their own city/village attorney on specific legal issues because their attorneys are most familiar with your municipality's local legislation and circumstances, and they directly represent the city/village in legal matters.

Legislative Advocacy

One of NYCOMs primary responsibilities is to advocate for the priorities of New York cities and villages at the state and federal level.  You can use the NYCOM website to find out who your legislators are as well as to learn about NYCOM's policy platform.  You are encouraged to visit our online Advocacy Updates to stay on top of legislation that the NYCOM staff is tracking during a particular legislative session.

NYCOM Training

NYCOM offers a multitude of training opportunities with four major conferences as well as a variety of regional workshops and webinars throughout the year, with professional certification and education credits available at most of these events.

NYCOM Partnership Programs

NYCOM offers a number of programs that help cities and villages cooperatively and efficiently procure property and liability insurance, workers' compensation insurance and other goods and services.  Member cities and villages can also benefit from utility billing audits.  If your community does not yet participate, please contact NYCOM for more information.