2024 Hermiston Civic Leadership Academy Application
Thank you for your interest in the inaugural cohort of Hermiston’s Civic Leadership Academy! The Academy is an initiative of the City of Hermiston, in partnership with Portland State University's National Policy Consensus Center and the Greater Hermiston Chamber of Commerce.
The Academy is an innovative civic leadership training model, designed to build a strong and diverse pool of talented future leaders for Hermiston’s local committees, boards, and organizations. Over the course of six weeks, cohort members will:
- Learn how our local government works;
- Hone their listening, collaboration, community engagement, and decision making skills;
- Research a topic of local importance, produce a group report, and present their findings and recommendations to the Hermiston City Council;
- Build strong, trusting relationships with fellow community members and local leaders.
The next section provides an overview of the application requirements and selection criteria; please review it before continuing to the application.
Application Requirements and Selection Criteria
To be eligible for the Hermiston Civic Leadership Academy, you must be:
- 16 years of age or older
- A full-time resident living within the Hermiston City Limits. If you aren't sure if this includes you, email city@hermiston.gov to inquire.
- Able to attend all Academy sessions and a final presentation to the Hermiston City Council. The sessions will be held each Tuesday, April 9 through May 14, from 5:30-8 PM, with a final presentation to City Council on Tuesday, May 28th from 6-7 PM. All meetings will be at Hermiston City Hall.
- Able to complete approximately 30 minutes of "homework" between sessions.
No prior government, leadership, or educational experience is required to apply.
NOTE: Research shows that women and people of color are less likely to apply for roles unless they think they meet all of the listed criteria. We are most interested in finding candidates who are new to civic and community leadership, and who come from a wide range of backgrounds. We strongly encourage you to apply even if you don't think you're a "perfect fit" for the Academy. If you have any questions about your eligibility, please feel free to contact city@hermiston.gov to discuss your application.
We want to ensure the Academy is accessible to all community members, regardless of financial, physical, or other barriers.
To do so, we are offering the following accommodations and services:
- Complimentary dinner for all cohort members
- On-site, curriculum-based childcare by Hermiston Parks and Recreation (all ages, dinner provided)
- Transportation stipends and ride-share coordination
- Translation and interpretation services
- ADA-accessible meeting location
If you are accepted into the program, we can assist with finding any additional resources needed to help you fully and comfortably participate.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated by a Selection Committee comprised of representatives from Hermiston City Council, City of Hermiston staff, and the Greater Hermiston Chamber of Commerce.
10-12 Academy members will be selected, with priority given to individuals who are new to civic and community leadership.
In addition to weighing the merits of individual applications, the Selection Committee will strive to select a cohort that reflects the diversity of backgrounds and experiences present in the Hermiston area. For this reason, we strongly encourage those from historically underrepresented groups and identities to apply.
Please confirm the following to proceed:
- I have reviewed the application requirements and selection criteria.
- I am eligible to participate in the Civic Leadership Academy.
- I understand that this application, once submitted, is public record of the City of Hermiston and is subject to public inspection unless exempt from disclosure under Oregon Public Records Law.
Deadline to Apply: March 11th, 2024
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