• Now accepting Spring 2018 applications
• Become an advocate for your community
• Space limited for free course
• Spanish interpretation, childcare provided if needed
• Apply by March 18
Learn how to become a neighborhood advocate and effect change through Arlington County’s free Neighborhood College program, which meets on eight consecutive Thursday evenings, beginning April 12, 2018.
The program, launched in 2000, develops civic engagement and leadership skills, and is geared toward Arlingtonians who want to become more involved in neighborhood and County-wide issues. Participants will learn about all aspects of Arlington County government.
“Civic engagement is at the heart of everything we do in Arlington,” said Arlington County Board Chair – and Neighborhood College alumna – Katie Cristol. “The Neighborhood College program helps people who are passionate about our community and their neighborhoods better understand the County’s processes, and learn skills that will help them work effectively for constructive change.”
Space is limited. Apply in English or Spanish by March 18
Participants from across Arlington will learn, practice, and sharpen core communication and influencing skills, such as:
• giving and receiving feedback
• asking questions that will elicit the most helpful responses
• building consensus
• organizing for action
Sessions will feature conversations with County Board members and staff from the County Manager’s office, Parks and Recreation, Libraries, Community Planning, Housing and Development, Police, the Sheriff’s Office, the Office of Public Safety Communications & Emergency Management, Arlington Public Schools, and representatives from local non-profit organizations, Arlington Civic Federation and Volunteer Arlington.
Quick Facts
• Course is free to participants

This county offering seems so backward to me. Instead of going to the government to learn how to be “effective” shouldn’t Arlington County be investing their time and training funds teaching employees how to effectively listen, understand and provide effective communications and interactions with residents? Getting the county career administrators to get out of the county building meetings, explore the neighborhoods, walk and dialogue with citizens in their neighborhoods and enable two way communication without PowerPoint decks would be time so better spent than training people how to deal with the county.

Think about it, Arlington County management.

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