City of El Paso to Host
NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
WHO: Neighborhood Services Division of The City of El Paso’s Department of Community and Human Development
WHAT: Citywide Neighborhood Leadership Academy – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (FREE)
WHEN: A 15-week course that meets every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Academy scheduled to begin on October 24, 2007 (with a 6 week winter break)
WHERE: City Hall 3rd Floor – Human Resources Classroom
Department of Community and Human Development
WHY:
The Neighborhood Services division of the City of El Paso’s Department of
Community and Human Development will host the 2nd Neighborhood Leadership Academy scheduled to start on October 24, 2007. This academy is a 15-week course, scheduled to meet every Wednesday of the week from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The 1st Neighborhood Leadership Academy had 38 participants graduate from the academy and was valued a success by not only the participants, but by the public. The purpose of the Neighborhood Leadership Academy is to create a learning environment for residents who are interested in knowing how local government operates. Participants will receive first hand information on how critical city services are deployed and managed.
The Academy provides residents with practical skills in developing and organizing a neighborhood association and by empowering participants to focus on quality of life issues identified through a consensus building process with their neighbors. The El Paso City Council passed a citizen involvement policy to facilitate opportunities for citizens to be involved in local government and one of the goals is to establish the Neighborhood Leadership Academy for non-traditional leaders.
Objectives of the Neighborhood Leadership Academy are:
• to recruit non-traditional leaders
• offer participants the needed skill set to become effective neighborhood advocates and community leaders
• promote diversity within civic engagement and the decision making process
• enroll 45 participants
• ensure participants gain an understanding of new urbanism and smart growth principles
• offer a comprehensive curriculum with specific topics related to City services and personal development skills
The Neighborhood Leadership Academy aims to produce a creative learning environment by presenting comprehensive information from specific departments serving the City of El Paso.
Participants will receive valuable insight and information from the following presenters:
• Mayor John Cook
• City Manager, Joyce Wilson
• City Clerk
• Community and Human Development Department
• Developmental Services Department
• El Paso Library
• Tax Office
• Economic Development Department
• Museums and Cultural Affairs Department
• El Paso Fire Department
• El Paso Police Department
• Parks and Recreation Department
• Streets Department
• Traffic Engineering Department
• Environmental Services Department
• El Paso Airport
• El Paso Zoo
• Sun Metro
Participant Selection Criteria:
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Must be a resident living within the El Paso City limits
• Must be a Non-Traditional leader - meaning a person who has not served previously on a board, commission or an elected office
• Must complete the Neighborhood Leadership Academy application form for enrollment (Applications are available at City Hall – 2nd Floor)
** Deadline for submission is October 15th **
Participants will receive a certificate of completion and given a graduation dinner at the end of the course. Participants will also be recommended for city boards and commissions.
For more information please contact Terry Villanueva at 541-4377
Neighborhood Leadership Academy of El Paso Mission Statement: To provide residents with a working knowledge of City Government and the essential skill sets to become effective neighborhood advocates and community leaders
