2010-2011  Citizens’ Academy  Schedule

September 30^th  8:30-4 pm

October 28^th  8:30-4 pm

November 15^th  8:30-4 pm

December 16^th  8:30-4 pm

January 20^th 8:30-4 pm

February 24^th  8:30-4 pm

March 31^st  8:30-4 pm

April 28^th  8:30-4 pm

May 5^th  Graduation  6-8:30 pm

 Greene County Citizen’s Academy

Connecting Citizens to their Community

Greene County Community Learning Center

Have you. . .

Wanted more information about an issue but didn’t know where to find it?

Wanted to get more involved but didn’t know where to start?

Have you been searching for a low-cost professional development activity that would help your staff better connect with Greene County?

Have you considered a leadership position or running for an elected office?

The Greene County Citizen’s Academy will address these questions as well as provide you the opportunity to meet other citizens from across the county who are seeking these same answers.

The Academy provides a behind the scenes and behind the headlines look at how decisions are made. You’ll learn about the duties of a variety of office holders, county leaders and community professionals.

You will come away with a greater appreciation of Greene County, a network of contacts throughout the county and the knowledge and skills you need to become involved and contribute to Greene County’s future.

How it works. . .

The Citizen’s Academy provides a diverse group of emerging and existing leaders the opportunity to enhance their community knowledge, civic network and leadership skills. 

The “classroom” is the community itself and instructors are community leaders, officials and experts.  Participants will actively interact with experts and each other during the program’s biweekly morning sessions which run from September through April. During sessions a local panel of experts will discuss their perspective on a specific topic while other sessions will build your confidence and skill in leading meetings, making presentations, and building consensus.

A small group project focusing on a local need is also a part of the program.  Each small group project meets outside the regularly scheduled sessions to explore a current issue in greater depth and identify and present a plan of action.  Building collaboration is a significant by-product of the group exercise.

The program will culminate with a graduation dinner, certificate and presentations of the small group projects.

How to get involved. . .

Participation in the Citizen’s Academy will be limited to ensure that everyone has ample opportunity to network and share in discussions. A class of selected participants will be chosen each year from a cross section of the community. Participants are responsible for their own transportation and must have a desire to be more involved in their community.

An application for admittance can be obtained through your local Chamber of Commerce, the Greene County Foundation or the Community Learning Center. Please call 659-3862 to have an application mailed to you. Applications should be returned to the Community Learning Center, PO Box 1470, Switz City, IN 47465.                                                                

Tuition for the Citizen’s Academy is $250.  Contact the Greene County Foundation (659-3142) to apply for tuition subsidy.

The Commitment. . .

Participants are expected to make a commitment to attend the opening and closing sessions, participate in a small group project and attend at least ten of the twelve other sessions. The time commitment will range from 45-60 hours over the seven month period.

College Credits and CEUS. . .

College credit and continuing education credit will be awarded through Indiana State University.   Participants need to check with their professional organizations to determine if the CEUs will meet your organization’s professional development requirements.                

                                                     Participant Comments

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Steven Clark, Chief Engineer—Radiation, NSWC Crane: “The Greene County Citizens’ Academy has been a great experience! We have been given the opportunity develop a better understanding of the county, how processes work, interesting county features, and the various organizations working to better the county.  The experience has also helped us to see opportunities where we can apply our talents and energies to help guide the county towards a better future. Additionally, working with our fellow classmates and Academy alumni has given us insight into the great talents available to make the future happen.”

Julia Crane, May 2009 Graduate, IUPUI School of Social Work: “The Citizens’ Academy took me by surprise! It is great to meet other people who are as interested in bettering and learning more about the county as I am. Without this program I would not have learned that as well as a million other ideas. It was a great experience!”

Jeff Doris, Owner, Linton Family Pharmacy: “I enjoyed being in an environment with other civic-minded people who are motivated to better the county.”

Vickie Doris, Owner, Main Street Gifts: “It is encouraging to see how a group of ordinary individuals can become an extraordinary group with such potential for forward movement in whatever it chooses to pursue.”

Penny Dunn, Logistics Management Specialist, NSWC Crane: Participating in the Greene County Citizens’ Academy has been a great experience. I learned information I didn’t know about Greene County and enjoyed meeting and networking with forward-thinking peers.”

Robert Just, Supervisor, NSWC Crane:  “ I feel that the Academy has exposed me to many of the facets that identify Greene County.  History, businesses, local government, economics, WestGate potential, schools and assessment are just some of the fine examples I will take with me upon my graduation.  I am fortunate to have met many new friends and have been reacquainted with some old friends at the same time.  The Academy has motivated me to continue to support Greene County in any capacity that I am capable of doing, starting with the “Citizens’ Academy Legacy Organization” (CALO).  I am very honored to have been a part of the Greene County Citizens’ Academy.”

Robert Kral, Lean Six Sigma Efficiency Expert, SAIC: “Participating in the Citizens’ Academy has allowed me to build lasting friendships with my classmates as well as connect with a network of business leaders and community activists throughout Greene County.  The entire experience has been a great education for me!  I recommend this course to anyone that wants to make a difference in your community.”

Christy Lehman, Advertising Manager, Greene County Daily World: “ I signed up for Citizens’ Academy to learn more about Greene County. Even though I have lived in Greene County all of my life, the classes did teach me a lot about the county that I did not know. Even more important, I learned a lot about what the future holds for Greene County.  The Academy has a strong base and I feel that it will continue to grow and be a very important element in Greene County’s future.”

Meghan McKisson, Sales & Service Supervisor, MainSource Bank: “I found Citizens’ Academy to be very educational, and I got to know a lot of great people!”

James Medina, Retired, NSWC Crane:  “ I appreciated the opportunity to learn about local government, and thank you to all of those who presented programs to us.”

Brianne Perigo, Administrative Coordinator, Greene County Economic Development: “Even as a lifelong resident, I discovered a Greene County I never knew, and in the process joined a network of friends.”

Kelly Reel, Facilitator, MainSource Bank: “The Academy was a great learning experience.  Not only was I able to learn  things about Greene County that I had been unaware of, I was also able to meet a lot of interesting people with multiple skills and knowledge.”

Ruth Rollins, Logistician, EG & G Technical Services: “The Greene County Citizens’ Academy has opened my eyes to all the opportunities available to anyone that wants to volunteer their time.”

Steven Schantz, Ordnance Range Branch, NSWC Crane: “The Citizens’ Academy has painted a whole new picture of Greene County for me. From the get-go, my involvement with the Academy was to understand the needs of the county, considering a political career in the background. By attending the Academy I have learned there are several ways to serve the citizens of Greene County without being an elected official.  Opportunities abound everywhere. This was a great eye-opening experience.”

Julia Shelton, Community Volunteer, Generations NNORC Project:  I questioned my attending the Academy because of my age and what and how I could benefit the county.  I thought a younger person would have more time and energy than I have to accomplish the goals needed. Now I am so happy I did.  Not only did I learn more about Greene County than I was already aware of, I gained knowledge that I feel will benefit me and the county as a volunteer.  The best part of it is that I met a great group of individuals who are concerned about the future and will be an asset in the years ahead in making the fulfillment of these goals possible.”

Tonjua Toon, Business Operations Manager, NSWC Crane:  “The Citizens’ Academy has been a great tool to improve my knowledge about Greene County, and also to network with people across the county who enjoy living here.”

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Employer Comments

NSWC Crane has always encouraged employees to actively participate in community events.  We are proud of our employees who actively participate in programs such as the Greene County Citizens’ Academy and realize the value it has not only for our organization but the region as a whole.”

Pam Ingram, Public Affairs Officer

                                                  NSWC Crane

The Citizens’ Academy has provided a greater understanding to Kelly and Meghan of the way things work in our community.  They are now more willing to share their ideas and to work to achieve community goals.  Participating in the Academy has also taught Kelly and Meghan how to work more effectively in diverse groups.”

  Mark Robinson

                                                 President, MainSource Bank

As a more informed Greene County resident, Brianne brings to the job a higher understanding of, and appreciation for, the community we serve.”

Joan Bethell

                                      Executive Director

                                     Greene County Economic Development Corporation

As a company, EG&G is committed to being a good neighbor and contributor to building successful communities.  We also encourage continuous growth and professional development among our employees, and Ruth Rollins has clearly demonstrated her personal dedication to both of those valuable goals.  She is a role model for all!  I am very proud of Ruth and her successful  participation in the Green County Citizens’ Academy.”

                                                Joe Erler

                                        VP

                                        EG &G Inc

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Citizen’s Academy Application

The Greene County Citizen’s Academy

2010-2011

Application for Enrollment

The Citizen’s Academy is a professional development program intent on building participants knowledge about the Greene County Community and building skills necessary to become proactively and positively involved in Greene County’s future.  Participants will be expected to meet an attendance requirement as well as participant in a small group project.  We welcome your interest in the program, please complete this application and return to the Community Learning Center.  Tuition is $275 and college credit or CEU’s are available.   Four scholarships are available through the Greene County Foundation, Contact the foundation 659-3142 for information.

Name                                                         Mailing address

_________________________________________         ________________________________

Phone                    Cell Phone                       E-mail

________________      __________________                   ________________________________

Employer                                                   Position

_____________________________________________  ________________________________

How long have you been in this position?     How long in Greene County?

___________________________________________  ________________________________

How long do you plan to be in Greene County?  How will your tuition be paid? 

___________________________________       Personal___Employer___Scholarship___

Will you be seeking college credit or CEU’s for your participation? Y__     N__

EDUCATION

Begin with most recent

School name and location                   Yrs attended                    Degree

___________________________ _______________                      ______________

____________________________           ________________                    ______________

____________________________          ________________                      ______________

Employment

Please list additional employment not including your current position.

Employer name & location            Dates                  Position

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

ORGANIZATIONS

In order of importance to you, list up to three civic/professional/community organizations in which you are actively involved.   

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

TELL US:

1. What you hope to gain from your participation in the Citizen’s Academy?

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

2.  What aspect of the community most interests you and how do you see your potential for involvement?______________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

3. Describe a personal accomplishment. What made it significant to you? _______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

4.  Have you been as active as you would like to be in  civic, professional, or community activities,  if yes what has been most rewarding,  if no what conditions have prevented your involvement?

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

5. What two qualities are most important for future leaders of Greene County? How do you rate yourself on these qualities?     ______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

6. Please check the factor(s) that influenced your decision to apply for the Citizen’s Academy

___ Recommendation of a friend/colleague    ___News Article

____Attendance at Community Forum          ____Employer

____ Presentation at professional club          ____Brochure            

___Other, please explain______________________________________

7.  Are you able to attend daytime meetings?   ___Yes     ___No

8.  Will your work schedule as well as your employer support your involvement in this program by granting you release time to attend academy sessions?                                                       ___Yes    ___No

Selection Criteria

Participants must be able to attend 10 of the 12 sessions plus the opening and graduation sessions and participate in the small group project.  Applicants should be committed to personal involvement in shaping the community’s future, and have the potential for longevity in the community. Selected participants will represent a cross section of Greene County.

I will be able to fulfill the required time commitment and objectives of the program.

Signature______________

Return applications to:

Application Deadline

September 15, 2010

You may copy and paste into another word document

and fax to  812-659-3142

Greene County Foundation

4513 W. St Rd. 54

Bloomfield, IN 47424

ctrampke@wrv.k12.in.us -