Applications for the 2023 Civics Academy will open in July 2023, contact Chris Lovings ([email protected] / 253-876-1988) if you have any questions or comments.
Look behind the scenes of your City Government!
City government touches so many facets of our everyday lives - from the streets we drive on to the parks we play in. We know that the City makes sure clean water arrives at our tap every day and that the police will be there in an emergency, but exactly how does your city operate, and how can residents contribute more to its success?
To answer these questions, the City of Auburn offers a free Civics Academy to Auburn residents, employees, business owners, and students. This Academy provides an overview of City government operation, including insight regarding how the City makes its decisions, allocates its funds, and operates its departments. The goal of the Civics Academy is to empower and encourage residents, employees, business owners, and students to become more civically engaged in the City’s future decisions affecting Auburn’s quality of life.
The 2022 Auburn Civics Academy was an 11-week course held one evening a week from 6:30-8:30 PM beginning Thursday, September 8, 2022 with three Saturday sessions on September 17, September 24, and October 1 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Classes are held in multiple locations in the City of Auburn. Attendees must be willing to commit to attendance of sessions (can miss TWO sessions and still graduate).
Space in Civics Academy is limited, so not all applicants can be selected. The City determines Academy acceptance on a variety of factors to ensure that Academy enrollment reflects the diversity of the Auburn community. Applicants not selected this year will be put on a waitlist for the next offering of Civics Academy.
Academy Objectives
We believe that when residents are better informed about how their city operates, how decisions are made and how funds are allocated they will make better decisions about the future of their city.
Course Objectives
- To involve and engage residents and businesses in learning about and understanding the operation of city government, and to improve communications between the City and those who live and work here.
- To provide insight into how decisions are made, how City funds are allocated, and how City departments operate.
- To empower and encourage a larger number of residents and business owners to become more civically engaged in the future decisions affecting Auburn's quality of life.
Who Can Apply?
- Anyone who is an Auburn resident, business owner/employee, in school, has a general interest in Auburn, and not running or currently serving in a political office. Priority will be given to Auburn residents.
- Participants must be willing to commit to the attendance of all sessions (you can miss two and still graduate).
- The Academy is open to residents, business owners, interested community members, and students 16-years-old and up.
Applications for the 2023 Civics Academy will open in July 2023, contact Chris Lovings ([email protected] / 253-876-1988) if you have any questions or comments.
2022's Schedule
- Week 2:
Thursday, September 15, 2022 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Planning, Building, and Maintaining City Infrastructure, Part 1
Public Works - Engineering
William C. Warren Building Veterans Memorial Park
Saturday, September 17, 2022 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Planning, Building, and Maintaining City Infrastructure, Part 2
Public Works - Maintenance and Operations
M&O Building
- Week 3:
Thursday, September 22, 2022 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Planning for Emergencies
Emergency Management
3rd Floor Annex Building
Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Auburn Municipal Airport
*Saturday optional tour at Auburn's Airport
- Week 4:
Thursday, September 29, 2022 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
The Place to Play
Auburn Parks, Arts, & Recreation
Auburn Community and Event Center
Saturday, October 1, 2022 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Keeping Citizens Safe
*Saturday morning class at VRFA Station # 34
Auburn Police Department and Valley Regional Fire Authority
VRFA Station #34 (Lea Hill)
*Please note, the Civics Academy is a non-partisan program provided through the City of Auburn. While the program may include topics regarding political activity in the city, campaigning or political debate are not appropriate in this forum.
For more information about Civics Academy, or to sign up to receive information when our next series is offered, please contact Neighborhood Programs Coordinator, Chris Lovings, at [email protected].