INSIGHT Citizen's Academy
Get
to know your local government! The City of Winchester's INSIGHT Citizen's Academy provides
area residents an opportunity to discover their city through interactive,
hands-on activities and to gain exposure to the wide range of government services, programs, functions and challenges. This year, the City is offering two academies from which to choose - a new lunchtime Academy in the spring and the evening program in the fall.
TWO PROGRAMS OFFERED IN 2012
Wednesday Afternoons
March 7 – April 25, 2012
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
(Optional tours held at 1:00 pm unless specified otherwise)
$25 per person, non-refundable
Lunch Provided
Thursday Evenings
September 4 – October 11, 2012
7:00 - 9:00 pm
(Optional tours held at 6:00 pm unless specified otherwise)
$15 per person, non-refundable
Snacks Provided
Register now for the 2012 INSIGHT Citizen’s
Academy!
Objective back to top register
Familiarize local residents with the various functions of Winchester’s government; encourage continued involvement; enhance residents’ ability to navigate through the complex system of government services, and provide an avenue for open communication with City officials.
“This program was one of the highlights of my life in Winchester.”
Benefits back to top register
-
Gain a deeper understanding of how local government works from the people in the government who directly serve you - Meet government leaders and staff members and visit various government facilities
- Understand how you can become engaged in public affairs
- Participate in dialogues with City staff about successes and challenges
- Serve as a role model for other community residents interested in social change
- Help foster an environment that contributes to the quality of life for all residents
- Gain the knowledge needed to become a member of a City advisory board or commission
- Help build a livable, sustainable community
“Having the opportunity to meet the people first hand was the best part - as it made the workings of the government come to life.”
Curriculum back to top register
At every session, discuss the City’s past,
present and future with department leaders and staff. Get to
know the people that make the daily decisions and find out how and,
most importantly, why decisions are made. Government operations
can be complicated if you don’t have the opportunity to be a
part of the action. Now
you can get inside, get explanations, meet local officials and gain
a new INSIGHT into your local government.
“Everyone we met with was very enthusiastic about sharing with us what they do, and explaining a lot of processes. I really liked the fact that they all wanted questions and were eager to answer them.”
Schedule back to top register
Each session lasts for no more than 2 hours with optional tours held either before or after several sessions. A light lunch will be provided for the afternoon program and snacks will be provided for the evening Academy in the fall. A welcome reception is held at the beginning of each program and graduation ceremony with a mock City Council meeting is held at the end of the evening program. During the mock council meeting, you have the opportunity to be a council member and discuss and vote on real-life scenarios. The mock meeting is led by the Council President and Mayor.
NOTE: Schedule is subject to change. INSIGHT participants will be notified of the final schedule prior to the start of the program.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Session 1: March 7
Welcome | Winchester History | RCH Tour
Session 2: March 14
Big Picture - City Values & Goals
City Manager | Council | Budget Process
Session 3: March 21
Economic Redevelopment | Old Town | Walk Downtown
Session 4: March 28
Community Response Team
Session 5: April 4
Comp Plan
Session 6: April 11
Public Safety
Police | Fire & Rescue | E911 | TPSC Tour
Attend Council Worksession
April 17 @ 6:00 pm
Session 7: April 18
Social Services
Session 8: April 25
Infrastructure – Current and Future
Utilities | Public Works | WWTP Tour (1:30 pm)
(Graduation)
Spring Registration back to top register
To ensure a spot in the program, please download the registration form and submit the completed form and payment by February 27, 2012.
Prior to the start of the program, you will receive the complete program schedule with meeting locations via mail or email.
The fee to participate in the 2012 INSIGHT Academy is to help cover the cost of materials and food. Because these activities do create obligations for City personnel, we ask that you make every reasonable effort to attend all scheduled events.
We also welcome past graduates to participate during any portion of the academy at any time.
NOTE: Schedule is subject to change. INSIGHT participants will be notified of the final schedule prior to the start of the program.
THURSDAY EVENING PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Session 1: Tuesday, September 4
Welcome | Winchester History | RCH Tour
Session 2: Thursday, September 6
Big Picture – City Values & Goals
City Manager | Council | Budget Process | HR | PIO | FOIA
Session 3: Tuesday, September 11
Public Safety
Police | Fire & Rescue | E911 | TPSC Tour
Session 4: Thursday, September 13
Economic Redev. | Old Town | Parking | Walk Downtown
Session 5: Tuesday, September 18
Attend Council Work Session
Session 6: Thursday, September 20
Infrastructure – Current and Future
Utilities | Public Works
Session 7: Tuesday, September 25
Tour of Waste Water Treatment Plant
Session 8: Thursday, September 27
Comp Plan
Session 9: Tuesday, October 2
Social Services
Session 10: Thursday, October 4
Schools | Tour of JHHS
Session 11: Tuesday, October 9
Community Resources Team
Session 12: Thursday, October 11
Graduation | Mock Council Meeting
Fall Registration back to top register
To ensure a spot in the program, please download the registration form and submit the completed form and payment by February 27, 2012.
Contact Amy Simmons at (540) 662-4946 if you should have any questions about the program.
Prior to the start of the program, you will receive the complete program schedule with meeting locations via mail or email.
The fee to participate in the 2012 INSIGHT Academy is to help cover the cost of materials and food. Because these activities do create obligations for City personnel, we ask that you make every reasonable effort to attend all scheduled events.
We also welcome past graduates to participate during any portion of the academy at any time.
“If I were were Emperor of Winchester, I would make this program mandatory.”
History back to top register
The INSIGHT Citizen’s Academy was created in 2004 in an effort to open communication between the citizens and the City of Winchester.
The International City and County Management Association (ICMA) featured Winchester’s INSIGHT Citizen’s Academy as a case study at its 2009 leading practices conference. City Managers from across the country attended the conference to learn about proven programs in other communities so that they may implement similar programs at home. Being featured at ICMA’s conference is a compliment to the program and an honor for the City of Winchester.
Since 2004, over 150 people have graduated from the program and many have gone on to serve on an advisory board and Council (Les Veach, Art Major, John Tagnesi, Milt McInturff, and John Hill). There is always something new to discover at the City of Winchester’s INSIGHT Citizen’s Academy!
“It is something everyone should participate in. Thanks for everything!!!”
“Great job by the City. It really makes one feel they can be a part of things.”