For the past four years, The Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy (MCLA) has offered a unique opportunity for neighbors to connect. As participants in MCLA are surveyed regarding “what struck them” about the sessions, individuals continually remarked about the great neighbors they have met. At times these folks live across town, however, many times they only live a few streets away.

The Knight Foundation studied 26 communities across the country, large and small, to identify the reasons residents become engaged and contribute to a city’s health and “social fabric”. Three main reasons were found in common:
• How the respondents were welcomed into the community
• How connected they feel to their neighbors and other residents
• And, what level of involvement they pursue.

Every year, we ask MCLA participants “what is the difference between being a resident and being a citizen”. This year, someone wrote “a resident is a legal term defining where a household is located. Being a citizen is a verb”.

Consider applying early for MCLA 2012, classes fill up quickly. If interested or for more information, go to www.montgomeryohio.org/academy or call Ray Kingsbury. Director of Citizen Engagement, 792-8359.