PITTSBORO - Do you want to know more about the Chatham County community you live or work in? For example, what is the role of local government in providing important services and programs? How are public schools managed? How can I learn all this and earn continuing education credits too?
Anyone interested in learning more about county and town government is invited to enroll in Chatham County Citizens' College, offered through the Pittsboro campus of Central Carolina Community College (CCCC). The program is offered jointly with Chatham County government.
"We invite people of all ages and all parts of Chatham County to enroll and be part of this interactive series of classes," said Debra Henzey, who coordinates the program for the Chatham County Manager's Office. "We have an amazing array of panelists who will keep you engaged."
Citizens' College begins on Jan. 29, 2015 and will be offered every Thursday night until March 12, 2015, from 6:30 - 9 pm. Locations will vary across the county, but will include the award-winning Historic Courthouse, new Justice Center, North Chatham Fire Station and Jordan Lake Water Treatment Plant.
The main goals are to help participants better understand how major county and town services operate and who manages them; explore options for serving as volunteers to help local governments; get to know key managers and department heads; and interact with other interested residents of all ages and backgrounds.
Mark Hall, provost of CCCC-Pittsboro, said, "This unique program is a great opportunity for people to learn about how governmental and educational institutions function to serve their communities and how members of those communities can participate in these institutions. The hope is that as more is learned, more can be accomplished together, and this program provides the possibility of doing that."
Citizens' College was initiated several years ago by CCEC-Institute under the leadership of Rita Spina, who worked closely with Assistant County Manager Renee Paschal to develop the curriculum. Last year, it became a joint program of the community college and Chatham County.
The fee for registration is $25, but limited scholarships to help cover this cost are available through the Chatham County Democratic Party and the Chatham County Republican Party, as well as CCEC-Institute, Inc. If interested in a scholarship, contact Debra Henzey with the County Manager's Office at 919-542-8258.
To register by phone or to request a printed form, contact CCCC's Continuing Education Office at 919-545-8044.
The course schedule for 2015 is:
1/29/15 Introductions, History of Chatham County, Role of Local Government and Elections
Location: CCCC-Pittsboro
2/05/15 Library and Cooperative Extension
Location: Agriculture Auditorium, Pittsboro
2/12/15 Central Carolina Community College & Chatham County Schools
Location: Margaret Pollard Middle School
2/19/15 Emergency Ops, Fire Departments & Fire Marshal
Location: North Chatham Fire Station
2/26/15 Sheriff, Police and Courts<
Location: Justice Center, Pittsboro
3/05/15 Planning and Environmental Quality
Location: Water Treatment Plant on Jordan Lake
3/12/15 City & County Management , Presentation of Certificates
Location: Historic Courthouse, Pittsboro