Looking to peek behind the curtain of municipal workings? Wake Forest is seeking proactive denizens willing to engage with the innards of their local government through its annual Citizen's Academy. The Town of Wake Forest has opened applications for this immersive seven-week course, which promises to deliver an unvarnished, nuts-and-bolts exploration of how the gears of local governance turn on a daily basis.
According to an announcement on the Town of Wake Forests' official website, the application window for the program remains open through August 1. This year's Citizen's Academy, stacking an array of interactive learning experiences, stretches from September 4 to October 23. Note that there will be no class on September 11, as the schedule dictates. For those with a penchant for civic knowledge, each class is an opportunity to delve into the particulars of Public Works, Police, Fire and more, right from the source—the town's own dedicated staff.
As noted by Lisa Hayes, Wake Forest's Organizational Performance Director, "Our goal is to provide participants with a foundation of knowledge regarding town government programs and services." She continues to express a sentiment that this tangible engagement will "create a stronger, more informed community." And for those who might find their stomachs rumbling during the course of knowledge acquisition, each session offers the added perk of a light meal starting at 5:30 p.m, as per the Town of Wake Forest.
The academy isn't just a series of lectures; it's heralded as an interactive affair where participants can see, hear, and question the processes that keep Wake Forest humming. Each weekly session is hosted at a different town facility, concluding with a graduation ceremony to celebrate the freshly enlightened citizens. But space is limited—the academy accommodates only 25 individuals—and to get that certificate of graduation, attendees will need to hit at least five out of the seven sessions.
