Are you interested in becoming a more involved citizen of Fountain Hills? The Fountain Hills Leadership Academy is kicking off its 2019 class to educate potential new local leaders. This comprehensive experience is sponsored by the Fountain Hills Cultural and Civic Association. The mission of the Leadership Academy is to identify current and emerging leaders and deepen their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing the Town of Fountain Hills.

The eight-week course is an intense immersion into the town’s governmental processes, civic and community services, public safety and environmental management, and more. Approximately 15 local residents will be chosen for this fourth class, which is scheduled to run from Sept. 18 through Nov. 14.

Participants are asked to commit to eight consecutive weeks of education on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 1:30 pm. Throughout the academy, participants will meet community leaders and share ideas about the future of Fountain Hills. All class participants will be expected to complete a project, either as an individual or in small groups, and to present it to community leaders at graduation. Attendees will also be given the opportunities to support local public service activities post-graduation.

The general sessions of the Leadership Academy are as follows: I Love Fountain Hills; Know Your Town Government; Local Schools; Fort McDowell; Environmental and Community Services; The Fountain Hills Sanitary District and Fountain Park; Fountain Hills Times, Non-Profits, and Town Business Development; and Public Safety.

Local businesses will again be encouraged to become session sponsors. There will be an opportunity for sponsors to be included in one of the class days, get to know the participants and to share information about their businesses.

This year’s oversight committee is made up of the 2018 graduating class under the leadership of Steve Bolton, Jessamyn Clark, Larry Cole, Jeff Esposito and Mike Hoops. There is a class participation fee of $125 per student, which includes a first-year membership in the FHCCA. The fee will not be collected until prospective participants have been accepted into the upcoming class.

Those interested may use the online form found at ILoveFountainHills.org to apply. The deadline to complete the application is Friday, June 28. For questions on this process, contact Larry Cole at 860-705-0027.