City of Avondale, Citizen Leadership Academy

Category: Leadership Training Programs

The Avondale Citizen Leadership Academy is sponsored by the City of Avondale to foster civic leadership and citizen participation. It seeks to prepare Avondale residents and business owners to become active in the community by informing them about how the city operates and how they can contribute to its success. The program includes a series of workshops on such topics as budget and finance; keeping Avondale informed; building strong neighborhoods; transit; courts; developing Avondale; roads, water, and waste; public safety; and quality of life.

In 2011, the City of Avondale also developed a new civic-engagement program for its residents, the Avondale Legislative Link (ALL). This free program helps residents increase their knowledge about state-wide policy and the Arizona Legislature. The program begins each January, along with the legislative session, with an overview of how the Arizona State Legislative session works; how a bill becomes a law; how to track issues under discussion; and how to analyze a bill. Regular email updates keep residents informed on the issues.

Year Founded: 2000 with a standalone program starting in 2006 and ALL founded in 2011.

Geographic Focus: Avondale