Montgomery Citizens' Leadership Academy


"The Coolest Civics Class You Will Ever Take!"

Citizen Leadership Academy Participants

The 2009 class is full!

2010 class application

We are now accepting applications for the 2009 Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy. Limited to only 25 participants, the Academy is specially designed to help transform residents into the role of actively engaged citizens. Particularly targeted are those residents not normally involved in local government. The goal of the nine session Academy is to “harvest the experience dividend” in our residents and develop an ongoing positive relationship and two-way constructive dialogue between Leadership Academy graduates and City officials/staff, ultimately building a stronger Montgomery.

The ten workshops, offering lecturettes, special guest speakers, off-site tours and participant interactive, debate/discussion and simulation exercises,  provides total emersion into issues that are important to the citizens of Montgomery. Sessions with titles such as, Zen and the Art of Citizenship, Dreams, Aspirations and Taxes… Is The Price Right?, and Sycamore Schools… Reading, Writing and Test Scores?, provides a “look behind the curtain” of timely and provocative topics facing our Community.

Annually, the City sponsors a “summit” for Citizens’ Leadership Academy graduates to solicit input and feedback from participants on the City’s issues, plans and activities. The City also maintains an e-mail list of graduates so that surveying and regular contact can be maintained with these participants.

The Academy runs from January through March and features a combination of evening and Saturday morning sessions. Workshops are held three times per month and last approximately three hours each including a meal. For further information, or to take advantage of this unique opportunity, please contact Ray Kingsbury at (513) 792-8359.

The Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy…Transforming Residents into Citizens!

The Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy is designed to encourage residents to participate in a hands-on learning experience. Participants become thoroughly knowledgeable about City operations, businesses and community partner organizations. The class learns how these groups work together in collaboration for a better Montgomery. Classmates have a unique opportunity to give feedback directly to service providers and have a voice in shaping the future direction of their community.

Taking place just once a year and limited to only 25 participants, the Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy involves nine unique workshops over the course of three months. Participation in the program helps transform residents into the role of actively engaged citizens.

Academy graduates ultimately become a resource from which civic, cultural, philanthropic and other organizations draw their leaders. The MCLA program analyzes major areas of community concern, provides opportunities for open dialogue between leaders with diverse perspectives, examines leadership styles, and promotes a network of community trustees committed to the greater good.

The Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy is ultimately designed to “Harvest the Experience Dividend” of   Montgomery’s talented citizens for the betterment of the entire community.

A fee of $99 will offset the cost for food and materials. For further information or to take advantage of this unique opportunity, please contact Ray Kingsbury at (513) 792-8359.

Note: In the interest of fostering diverse perspectives and enhancing the participants’ experience, candidates are selected to achieve a balanced class.

Who? What? When? Where? Why?

What is it?

The Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy is a hands-on training and educational opportunity for residents to become more involved in their community.

Why does it exist?

The Academy is designed to transform Residents into engaged Citizens, and “Harvest the Experience Dividend” in the City’s highly talented population.

Who should participate?

Anyone interested in becoming more involved – you'll enjoy two-way dialogue with civic leaders, share and learn from classmates, participate in planning for the future of Montgomery, and ultimately become more informed and knowledgeable regarding the workings of our community.

When does it happen?

Beginning in January, the Academy involves nine unique workshops over the course of three months. Specific dates appear under the “Curriculum” section of this web site.

Where do the workshops take place?

Because of the hands-on nature of this program, you'll have a chance to get up close in each session. Some workshops will be located at City facilities while others will be on-site at local businesses and civic organizations.

The Goal of the Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy

An effective gauge of a community’s health and well-being is the volunteer and civic contributions made by its leaders and citizens. These contributions range in scope and will indeed stretch across the community and beyond. To become fully committed, these future leaders must be nurtured and provided effective tools that will empower them to become more than just residents.
Montgomery’s future depends on a sustainable and renewable source for leadership, and that is the goal of the Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy!

The Curriculum

The ten workshops offer residents a unique opportunity to learn more about our community through mini-lectures, special guest speakers, case studies, off-site tours, debate/discussions and interactive simulation exercises. These sessions encourage participants to become actively involved in strengthening their community. Hands-on experiences include an opportunity to coordinate relief for a table top disaster, and to perform a simulated surgery during our tour of Bethesda Hospital, and much more.

All workshops are approximately three hours long, beginning with an informal meal to enhance communication and engagement.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are 6:00 - 9:00 pm. Saturdays, 9:00 am - Noon.

Schedule
Date Workshop
January 8, 2009 We are Montgomery!
January 15, 2009 Zen & the Art of Citizenship
January 22, 2009 Montgomery…Our Town, USA
January 29, 2009 Sycamore Schools: Reading, Writing and Test Scores?
February 14, 2009 Homeland Safety and Security in Your Own Neighborhood
February 17, 2009 Dreams, Aspirations & Taxes…Is the Price Right?
February 24, 2009 Health Care: Montgomery’s Signature Industry
March 7, 2009 Innovative Solutions to Public Works and Parks
March 14, 2009 History and Development…The Art of Co-Existence
March 19, 2009 Service and Volunteerism: A New Call to Action!
Academy Graduation

Note: Dates are subject to change.

On-Site Visits and Hands-On Experiences of the Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy

The following businesses, agencies, and organizations host hands-on workshops and provide the Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy participants a truly unique “behind the scenes” look at our community.