Online Application Form

Changing opportunities and challenges in the Greater Madison Area underscore the need for able, skilled and informed leadership at every level and in every sector of our complex civic and economic infrastructure. Civitas is one of the Greater Madison Area’s premiere leadership education and training programs designed to help citizens gain the knowledge and experience they need to actively participate as civic leaders in their communities. Civitas is an exciting educational and informational approach to both encourage more people to get involved in the processes of local government and to provide a deeper level of information for those already engaged.

To enhance their knowledge and understanding of property taxes, economic development, municipal finance and budgets, K–12 school finance and budgets, transportation, human services and public safety, Civitas participants learn from the best. One of the goals of Civitas is to give participants access to the people who know how things really get done. Our faculty includes the most experienced administrators and former elected officials in Dane County including former Madison and suburban mayors, former Dane County executives, school superintendents and former school board members and leaders from state, county and local government and community organizations. Through presentations, panel discussions and a variety of hand-on activities to address the challenges and opportunities affecting the Greater Madison Area, Civitas will:

  • Improve participant understanding of how local government is organized and works;
  • Enhance participant awareness and understanding of the current challenges and opportunities confronting our communities;
  • Provide participants with meaningful opportunities to network and interact with each other and with civic leaders from the Greater Madison area; and
  • Allow participants to identify and explore opportunities for civic engagement.

There is no cost to the 2010 Civitas program. The program consists of six afternoon sessions held on the fourth Tuesday of the month, beginning in April and concluding in October.

Application Guidelines

  • Applicants must be residents of the Greater Madison area and worked in the area for two years.
  • Applicants may be nominated by their employers, alumni of Civitas or Leadership Greater Madison may self-nominate.
  • Applicants must commit to attending a minimum of five of the six scheduled sessions and participate in program activities.
  • All applicants must complete and submit the official Civitas application.
  • The $250 tuition* is upon program acceptance.
  • Checks can be made payable to Civitas and can be mailed to Civitas c/o GMCC, 615 E. Washington Ave., P.O. Box 71, Madison, WI 53701-0071.

*Civitas will work with accepted applicants on tuition assistance, if necessary. A limited amount of assistance will be available each year.

Program overview

  • Six half-day sessions will be held throughout the year, each focusing on a specific aspect of local government organization and operation, including an issue focus and networking opportunities. Focus areas will include discussions of property taxes, the local budget process, school funding, challenges facing urban, suburban and rural school districts, public services, various aspects of the local economy and economic development and the electoral process.
  • Participants will not only enhance their knowledge through presentations and interaction with recognized local leaders and experts, but will have the opportunity to participate in a research project examining specific local issues.

For additional information about Civitas, please contact Julie Buss at Wood Communications Group, julie.buss@wcgpr.com or call 608-259-0757.

 

Applicant information:

  
First Name
Last Name
City of Residence
Number of years you have lived in the Greater Madison area?
Preferred Mailing Address home work
Address
City State Zip
Primary Phone Number
Secondary Phone Number
E-mail Address
Preferred method for receiving Civitas communications:
e-mail U.S. mail phone
  Employer
Title
Highest Educational Degree Obtained
Have you participated in Leadership Greater Madison?
yes no If yes, when?

Nominator information

  
First Name
Last Name
Address
City State Zip
Primary Phone Number
Secondary Phone Number
E-mail Address
  Employer
Title

Community Involvement

  

List past and present community and business organizations in which you were or are an active member and participant. Please note any leadership or committee positions you hold or have held within these organizations.

Civic Issues

  

In your opinion, what are the most critical issues currently facing the Madison area and why?

If you could do one thing to improve the quality of life in Madison, what would it be and why?

Which, if any, of the following civic issues most interests you? (please rank those that most interest you with 1 being of most interest)
Property Taxes
The Local Budget Process
Public School Funding
Human Services
Transportation
Public Safety
Economic Development
The Local Electoral Process

Skills

  

Which skills do you most wish to obtain from the Civitas program?

What skills/experiences could you bring to the Civitas program?
 

 
Chamber wcg_logo

Civitas is a joint effort of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce and Wood Communications Group