MEDIA ADVISORY

Mayor: Jennifer P. Dougherty

CONTACT: Nancy Gregg Poss, Public Information Officer, 301-360-3842

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, August 1, 2003

CITY OF FREDERICK OFFERS COURSE IN COMMUNITY ASSET MAPPING AS PART OF FREDERICK LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Frederick, Md. --- The City of Frederick is pleased to announce the second session of the Frederick Leadership Academy. This program was designed to serve as a foundation to the City's commitment to partnering with neighborhoods to identify problems and formulate creative neighborhood based solutions. The Academy will cultivate the consortium of talented residents who are involved, or considering involvement, in a Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC), neighborhood, civic, or business association and provide these groups with the tools needed to effectuate change in their neighborhoods or associations.

The next class will take place on Monday, September 29, 7 - 9 p.m., at City Hall. The City is pleased to offer a course on Community Asset Mapping. Community assets can be defined as the skills of the residents in that community, the devotion of community associations (neighborhood associations and other informal groups), and the resources of the formal institutions (schools, businesses, and other agencies). Participants will be provided the necessary framework to apply this community development approach in their community. A case study will be utilized to get practical experience utilizing the framework.

The City anticipates classes to fill quickly with limited enrollment of 25 participants. So register early! The small class size was created to foster an informal, education-friendly atmosphere in which participants will feel comfortable using role-playing and question/answer techniques. Courses will be offered on a quarterly basis. Participants are encouraged to take all four courses each year, but not are required. Certificates from the City of Frederick will be presented to those who do complete all four sessions. Participation in these courses is free.

To register for the City's Frederick Leadership Academy please contact Vincent Hughes, Chief Operating Officer of Citizen Services, at 301-360-3839. A registration form is also available online by clicking here.