Harrisonburg Citizen Academy gives residents an inside look at government, partner agencies

If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the inner workings of government or have your eyes on a seat on City Council, the Harrisonburg Citizen Academy might be a good place to start.

The annual 13-week program brings city staff closer to the community members they serve. Participants will visit city departments and partner organizations to learn more about the services, programs and events available to residents.

Those who attend will have the opportunity to see up-close demonstrations of the tools, equipment and vehicles staff use while learning more about the civil service done by each department.

“This program is a unique opportunity for people in our community to not only become more engaged with their local government, but to find new ways to give back to their community if they wish to do so,” said Harrisonburg Director of Communications Michael Parks, the administrator of Harrisonburg Citizen Academy. “Every year we have participants in the Citizen Academy who go on to join a city board or commission, or even run for City Council.

“Others just want to get a better understanding of how we provide high-quality services to the people of Harrisonburg,” he said. “There are opportunities to enjoy this program no matter how involved you wish to be in your local government.”

The details

The sessions are held one night each week from Aug. 22 to mid-November.

Classes take place from 6 to 8 p.m. each Thursday night, with some alterations:

• The Aug. 29 class at Harrisonburg Public Works will run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. to allow for extra time.
• The Sept. 6 class with the Harrisonburg Voter Registrar will take place on a Friday.
• The Oct. 30 class with the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Emergency Communications Center and the Harrisonburg Fire Museum will take place on a Wednesday.
• There also will be an optional Saturday class that will visit the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Regional Sewer Authority and Harrisonburg Water Treatment Plant on Oct. 19.

If you are interested and can attend a majority of the classes, applications are being accepted through Aug. 9.

An application is available online at www.harrisonburgva.gov/citizen-academy