Effective leadership with a sound understanding of community development in today's environment is critical to a community's future. The mission of the Citizens Academy, offered through the Oklahoma Community Institute, is to give local residents the skills and information needed to think in new ways about the business of building community and then implement those new ways.  To date, the Citizens Academy has graduated over 150 individuals from communities all across the state.

The Citizens Academy is perfect for individuals who:

• Have a stake in the future of his/her community
• Want to see his/her community maintain or improve its quality of life
• Have a passion for his/her community with a desire to learn how to make an impact on its future
• Want to be more involved in the decision making in his/her community.

We are currently accepting applications for Class VII of the Citizens Academy, which will begin in November 2009.  Please scroll down to download an application.

Session dates for Class VII  2009-2010
Session 1 - Foundation of Community Leadership - Weatherford, November 11-12, 2009
Session 2 - Leading Effective Community Teams - Alva, December 3, 2009
Session 3 - Community Assessment & Planning - Claremore, January 7, 2010
Session 4 - Economic Development and Tourism - Ardmore, February 4, 2010
Session 5 - Community Resources/Community Renewal - OKC, March 23, 2010
Session 6 - State Government, Graduation and Celebration - OKC, April 22, 2010

If you are interested in learning more about the Citizens Academy, please contact OCI okcom@ocionline.org or by phone at (405) 208-8882.

Sample of Class VI Individual Action Plan