Registration is under way for the 2012 Citizens Institute!
The 2012 Citizens Institute begins on Saturday, March 3 with a morning orientation and City bus tour. There will be six Wednesday evening classes, 6:30-9:30 p.m. March 7 - April 11. Finally, the entire class gets together the morning of Saturday, April 14 for the popular Neighborhood Showcase Bus Tour and graduation lunch. (For class topics, please scroll down)
Cost is $25, payable first day of class. To sign up, please email community@walnut-creek.org or call Gayle Vassar at 943-5895.
What is the Citizens Institute?
This Citizen's Institute consists of a series of sessions in which citizens:
- Learn first-hand how the City works
- Meet and get to know their neighbors, City officials, and City employees
- Gain an improved awareness of available City services and community resources
- Discover opportunities to be involved with their local government
Who participates?
Anyone with an interest in Walnut Creek government is invited to sign up for the Institute. Classes are designed for 25-30 students to encourage discussion, involvement, and interaction. The classes are popular and usually fill up fast! Priority will be given to Walnut Creek residents (living in either incorporated or unincorporated Walnut Creek) and employees of local businesses.
What Topics Are Covered?
Here is a typical curriculum. (Keep in mind that the order of topics, or the topics themselves, are subject to change.)
Getting to know each other, Getting to know Walnut Creek!
(NOTE: This is a Saturday morning class)
Introduction/Orientation to Program
Bus Tour of the City
Understanding the Big Picture
Meet the Mayor and City Manager
Explore the role of government and what it means to all of us
Learn how the City Council, Commissions and advisory Committees work together
Money Matters: The Scoop on City Finances
Learn where the City gets its money and where the money goes
Enjoying Yourself in Walnut Creek
Learn about services that enhance quality of life (e.g., Recreation, Arts and Community Services programs)
Take a backstage tour of the Dean Lesher Regional Center For The Arts
Enjoy a reception in the Bedford Gallery
Evolution of a City: The Role of Community Development
Get a tour of the Traffic Master Signal, a high-tech system that keeps cars flowing on main arterials
Hear how planning decisions made in the past created the City as it is today, and where we hope to take Walnut Creek in the futur
Getting to Know the WCPD
Meet the Chief of Police
Tour the Walnut Creek Police Department
Learn what Community Oriented Policing means to you
Keeping Things Running Smoothly: The Role of Public Services
Learn about the wide array of Public Services functions, from managing Parks and Open Space to keeping streets repaired
Take a tour of the Public Services Corporation Yard
Neighborhood Showcase/Bus Tour & Graduation Celebration
Final class meets 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Share your knowledge and “tour-guide” skills while describing the history & highlights of your neighborhood. Learn about all the diverse neighborhoods in Walnut Creek. Enjoy Graduation Celebration - food, party, and conversation!
For further information, contact Gayle Vassar, Communications & Outreach Manager
(925) 943-5895 E-Mail: vassar@walnut-creek.org
