Bellevue residents, get ready to dive into the workings of your city. Bellevue Essentials is calling on locals who have a stake in their community’s future to join its fall civic engagement class. The program is designed to offer first-hand knowledge of city government and inspire active participation among residents who live or work in Bellevue. Classes are scheduled for Wednesday evenings, commencing Sept. 11 and concluding Nov. 20.
Those with a hankering for public service can get a closer look at the Bellevue Essentials program by attending one of three upcoming information sessions, as reported by bellevuewa.gov. Meetings are planned for a Zoom call on Tuesday, June 11 at noon, in-person gatherings on Wednesday, June 12 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, and Tuesday, June 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the South Bellevue Community Center. Interested individuals can contact Community Relations Coordinator Julie Ellenhorn to reserve their spot.
The curriculum for Bellevue Essentials encompasses a deep dive into the structure and processes that underpin the city’s governance. Participants are primed to engage critically with the mechanisms of power that frame their daily lives in Belleville. According to the city’s announcement, by the end of the course, attendees should be equipped with the know-how they need "to impact decision making in the city, with an expanded personal network and greater awareness of volunteer opportunities."
Cut out for more than just passive observation, participants in this program will be rubbing elbows with the likes of City Council members and top staffers – the folks entrusted with the reins of Belleville's day-to-day operations. But to earn their graduation certificate, participants will have had to hit at least 10 of the 12 sessions, which include two Saturday field trips through the city’s neighborhoods and parks.
With over 370 grads since its 2013 inception, Bellevue Essentials has been a breeding ground for active civic leaders, many of whom have gone on to serve on city boards and in other local governance roles. While there is a $200 tab for the course, fee waivers are on offer for those feeling the financial squeeze. The final bell for applications will chime on Sunday, July 21, at 5 p.m., so mark those calendars if you’re itching for a chance to be among the 35 participants selected for this unique civic embarkation.
