City of Traverse City Launches City Academy
Participation Applications Available Through February 28, 2023
The City of Traverse City has launched a new program, City Academy. The program’s purpose is to inspire citizens to be informed about the issues surrounding city government and how it functions in order to contribute in the most meaningful way. Do you ever wonder why a specific street was chosen to be reconstructed, how our drinking water is kept safe, or who to call when a tree branch needs maintenance? Learn all of that and a whole lot more at City Academy!
The 5-week program will include 8 sessions from 5:30 pm – 7:30/8:00 pm, and kicks off on April 18, 2023. During these weekly sessions, participants will connect with City staff to discover what goes into both long-term planning and day-to-day operations throughout the City and how citizens can become more involved! Presentations and "behind-the-scenes" facility tours give participants a better understanding of the role local government plays in the quality of life that residents of the City enjoy. Sessions will take place at various City facilities such as Hickory Hills, the Fire Station 1, Water Treatment Plant, and Wastewater Treatment Plant, giving participants a true sense of what it's like to work in local government.
“Our vision for this program is that it will be one that inspires people in the community to connect with their city government in a meaningfully-engaging way. And in a tangible way, that it will build the bench of people who get involved, not only as future candidates for City Commission and our appointed boards and committees but also less formal ways to tap in and help city government be even more representative of those who make this place the magical one that it is. We hope that participants will be motivated to play a more active role in shaping the future of the City and take an active role in participating on City Boards and Commissions,” says City Clerk Benjamin Marentette.
City Academy Goals
1. Knowledge: Inform citizens about how the City is organized and how services are funded and delivered through first-hand involvement. Create opportunities for mutual learning.
2. Involvement: Growing a pipeline for substantial citizen involvement in the form of serving on boards, commissions, committees, and so forth. Become ambassadors for the City.
3. Community Relations: Building relationships with City staff by developing open lines of communication by reducing barriers and developing social capital for meaningful dialogue and collective action
Applications for City Academy are available February 1, 2023 – February 28, 2023. Program participants should represent an ecosystem that blends well and be a wide representation of the entire City. No more than 15 participants will be chosen for the 2023 City Academy. City residents will be considered first for acceptance into the program.