Ways to Learn More About Your Community
The programs below offer great ways to learn more about our community:
The Onondaga Citizens League
The Onondaga Citizens League(OCL) is designed to promote citizen education and involvement in public affairs.
OCL was organized in 1978 by a group of interested and concerned citizens. An independent and nonpartisan organization, it was incorporated in 1980 and received non-profit, tax exempt status in 1981. It is governed by a board of directors, which is elected by the members.
It's members discuss and propose solutions to issues facing Central New York. OCL then generates reports offering specific recommendations for resolving the studied problem. The league does not promote specific legislation nor function as a lobbying group.
OCL is currently examining local government consolidation. For more information regarding OCL and their current study, please visit their web site at http://www.suce.syr.edu/community/ocl/index.html.
Thursday Morning Roundtable
Thursday Morning Roundtable is an award-winning public service program sponsored by University College of Syracuse University. TMR is a weekly civic forum bringing together a mix of citizens to learn about and discuss community issues and problems. Since its inception in 1965, TMR has delivered over 1,300 programs for its members, who represent a cross-section of business, non-profit, educational, and government organizations.
TMR meetings are held from 8:15-9:15 a.m. at Drumlins, 800 Nottingham Road. Participation in the Roundtable is on an invitational basis. Inquiries concerning the program should be directed to:
Sandra Barrett, Director
Thursday Morning Roundtable
Syracuse University / University College
700 University Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13244-2530
Telephone: 315-443-4846; FAX: 315-443-4410
E-mail: sutmr@uc.syr.edu
Syracuse Citizens Academy
The Syracuse Citizens Academy, jointly sponsored by University College, F.O.C.U.S. Greater Syracuse, and the City of Syracuse, seeks to promote civic education by instructing participants about the services provided to citizens by city government. The Academy is an interactive educational program that informs citizens about how local government is organized and how services are funded and delivered. It provides a forum to learn about citizen involvement through an integrated approach to economic vitality, social equity, and a healthy environment. Ultimately, the Academy seeks to improve citizens' understanding of the workings of effective government and encourage their involvement in the community to help sustain quality-of-life for present and future generations.
The F.O.C.U.S. luncheon and enrollment in the inaugural class takes place between April and September of 2005. All city residents over 18 years of age are eligible, and those interested are asked to fill out an application form, including a statement of why they want to take part. Participation is free.
Participants in the inaugural class attend ten (10) Wednesday evening sessions between September 14 and December 7, 2005, taught by government officials, community leaders, and faculty from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Session topics include history and organization of local government; budget and funding; health and safety core services; family programs and partnerships; schools, scholars, and statistics; law enforcement and judicial systems; transportation; culture and the arts; regional economic development and destiny; and the role of members as citizens of the future.
More information on the Syracuse Citizens Academy can be found at F.O.C.U.S. Greater Syracuse, 201 E. Washington St., Syracuse, NY 13202-1427. Phone: 315-448-8732. E-mail: focus@ci.syracuse.ny.us.
Download (pdf) Syracuse Citizens Academy brochure/application
This item was published on 08/16/2005
