, a County-sponsored leadership program designed to foster community activism. The free eight-week program seeks to develop effective community leaders and is open to all Arlingtonians, with a particular focus on residents from one of the eleven Neighborhood Strategy Areas - Buckingham, Columbia Heights West, Pike Village Center, Nauck, Arlington View, Long Branch Creek, Radnor/Fort Myer Heights, Barcroft, Lyon Park, Penrose, and Westover. Now
in its 12th year, the Neighborhood College offers an opportunity for
county residents to sharpen and practice their interpersonal
communication skills, meet and discuss current issues with elected
officials and key professional staff members, and learn how the county
government functions and how to become more active and effective in
community affairs. Participants
in previous years have gone on to become active in their neighborhood
associations, in volunteer organizations, and as advocates regarding
issues of interest to the community. In
2011, Neighborhood College participants met with County Board member
Walter Tejada, Commissioner of Revenue Ingrid Morroy, County Manager
Barbara Donnellan, and then-District Three Police Commander Michele
Nuneville (now in charge of the Arlington County Police Department's
Criminal Investigations Section), among others. Participants
also took part in individual projects that included attending Arlington
Circuit Court, speaking on an issue of concern to the County Board,
learning about plans for the County's libraries, riding on patrol with
members of the Arlington Police, and investigating volunteer
opportunities in Arlington County. The
program has been expanded to eight weeks in 2012. Sessions will take
place on Thursday evenings from March 1 to April 26 (except for April 5,
as there will be no program the week the county's public school are on
spring break). Class will meet from 6 to 9 p.m. at the County
Building, 2100 Clarendon Blvd (not at the Walter Reed Career Center as
previously announced). Dinners
will be served, child care will be provided as needed, parking is
available under the building and in the open-air lot next door, and the
Court House Metro station is only steps away. Participation is free but spaces are limited. Residents
who are committed to improving their neighborhoods, interested in
neighborhood issues, and willing to bring energy to neighborhood
activities are encouraged to apply. For more information or an application, interested Arlingtonians may call 703-575-8152, email ml@arlingtonnc.info or download an application at www.arlingtonva.us/departments/cphd/ons/college/CPHDOnsCollegeCurriculum.aspx. |
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