Pittsylvania County will host a Citizens Academy starting in November. Citizen Academies are used by many Virginia localities to provide residents insight into the daily operations of the various departments within the government organization, while allowing a county, city or town to grow an informed and involved citizenry and promote a healthy, positive community.

Offered for the first time this fall, the Pittsylvania County Citizens Academy aims to achieve those goals by taking a unique approach, and will build this inaugural program around a hypothetical, but realistic exercise.

In this way, participants will work alongside County staff in a collaborative, interactive format to answer key questions and address the many challenges that arise when government begins to tackle a large, multi-dimensional project.

It also allows Pittsylvania County to connect with residents who may be interested in serving on one of the County’s many boards and commissions in the future.

The inaugural pilot Citizens Academy is composed of four sessions, all held at the Community Center, 115 S. Main St. in downtown Chatham. The Citizens Academy is free.

The dates are as follows:

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2 – 4 pm
Thursday, Nov. 16, 5 – 7 pm
Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2 – 4 pm
Thursday, Dec. 14, 5 – 7:30 pm (to include a graduation and heavy hors d’oeuvres)

The Academy is for Pittsylvania County residents, age 18 and older and is limited to 20 people. Participants are urged to attend all four sessions. The Citizens Academy is free and the deadline to register is October 31. Participants will be notified once the registration period is complete.
For more information contact Diana McFarland, public relations manager, at Diana.McFarland@pittgov.org or by phone at 434-432-3575.

To register, click here.