Arlington Opens Registration For First-Ever Civic Academy

ARLINGTON, MA — Arlington has opened registration for its first-ever Civic Academy, which will be held in fall 2023.

Participants will gain knowledge of how the town works and the role they can play in town government, which may be helpful for those interested in joining a town committee or Town Meeting.

Each course will provide an overview of government operations led by town officials with discussion and/or a hands-on activity.

The Arlington Civic Academy will meet once a week for two hours, over the course of six weeks starting Sept. 14 and ending Oct. 19 with a session on how to get involved and a graduation ceremony.

Academy Overview

• Meet six consecutive weeks, Thursday evenings, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Sept. 14- Oct. 19
• Enrollment of up to 20 participants.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Classes will be held in ADA accessible municipal buildings in Arlington.
• Light refreshments will be served.
• Through funding through the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA), childcare services will be provided.

Curriculum Overview

• Sept. 14: Overview of town governance and town operations.
  • Become educated on how policy is created and enforced within town government.
• Sept. 12: Services Night 1: Health & Human Services, Recreation, and Libraries.
  • Understand the public health measures required to host events with food, how accessible parks and playgrounds are constructed, and where to access many literary and technological resources.
• Sept. 28: Services Night 2: Public Works, Public Safety, and Inspectional Services
  • Comprehend the town's environmental maintenance, how the public is kept safe via AFD and APD, and what standards buildings are held to be considered safe.
• Oct. 5: Services Night 3: Schools and Department of Planning and Community Development
  • Learn about how school districts are created, which school services are provided, and the processes that lead the town to decide where to build.
• Oct. 12: Finance and Budgeting
  • Learn about how the money flows and the decision-making process that selects a project to get funded.
• Oct. 19: How to get involved and Graduation
  • Become aware of how to apply to become a member of a board/committee.

Requirements for Participation:

• Must be a current resident of Arlington.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• All Arlington residents are welcome to apply, but preference will be given to those residents with less than three years of experience serving on a town committee or in Town Meeting.

Through funding through the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA), childcare services will be provided for participants. Childcare services will be in the same building as the classes. Additional details are in the registration form.

To be considered for the Fall 2023 class, please complete the application by noon on Friday, Aug. 18. Notice of acceptance into the academy will be communicated to applicants during the week of Aug. 21, with all attendees being notified no later than Aug. 31.

For more information on the Civic Academy, email Arlington Public Information Officer Joan Roman at [email protected].