Classes begin Friday, January 20th and continue on the 3rd Friday of each month. Topics include:

Tualatin History & Culture
This session will include an overview and lively discussion of the history of Tualatin by members of the Historical Society, as well as an escorted tour of our award winning parks, our public art and our community development. Attendees will leave with a greater understanding of why Tualatin is what it is today. “Every speaker taught me something new today.”

Our Local Government
We spend this day learning the inner workings of Tualatin. Where does our money come from and how is the budget formed? Hear from the City Manager, the heads of our major departments, a panel discussion between the Mayor and Council President, tour the police facility & library. Learn how the city council makes decisions and how your voice can be heard. “I had heard from previous participants that this was a very interesting day and I was not disappointed.”

Leadership Skills
A fast-paced, roll-up-your-sleeves day where participants will not only learn about their own leadership and communication skills, but also gain tools to use in effectively communicating with and leading others. Topics include group dynamics, teamwork, and public speaking. “Better than expected. I got tangible information to use now and in the future.”

Community Resources
Always a tough day as it’s hard to realize there is so much need out there. This day is usually where the idea for a class project comes from. We will hear from directors of various local non-profit service organizations such as the Tualatin Resource Center, Community Action, Community Partners for Affordable Housing and the food bank. We will tour the hospital and have lunch with Tualatin’s ‘hidden jewel’ the Tualatin Senior Center. This day will provide a very personal look at health and human service programs and needs in the community, providing class participants with new insights. “Today I learned that the need for help is greater than I ever imagined.”

Education
A day to learn about our community and regional education system and how education serves as the strongest component of our future success as a community and as citizens. The day will include discussion of how individuals and business people can help shape local education. “I never realized there were so many programs offered at the high school level, nor how far a million dollars goes – not far!”

Government – The Big Picture
We spend time today with AOI learning about citizen leadership, how the legislature really works and how to get your voice heard. We will also hear from local and regional elected officials about what it’s really like behind the scenes and how being a ‘politician’ affects your personal life. A tour of the state capitol in Salem is also on the agenda. 

Business & The Economy
What is the make-up of Tualatin’s business district? Today the class has an escorted tour of the entire business community. From Bridgeport Village to the north, to Tigard Sand & Gravel to the south; from Cipole Road to the west, to Wanker’s Corners to the east, Tualatin has a huge and diverse business community. From the retail to the commercial to the industrial to the manufacturing businesses, we’ll see them all. We also tour several local businesses. “I never realized how extensive the business district is.”

Communication
Today we learn of the many ways to communicate, from communicating with your staff during a crisis, to dealing with the media during an emergency. Learn the joys of public speaking – and practice your new found skills at a Tualatin City Council meeting. You’ll be listening and communicating better by the end of the day.

Public Safety
Who is involved in keeping us safe? Meet with the Police Chief and tour the station; tour Coffee Creek Prison and hear from a panel of inmates; check out the Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue training grounds and try your skill at some hand’s on activities. You will be amazed at how many people spend their working hours insuring the safety of our community, and how great they are at their job.

Class Project
Each class comes up with a project to work on as a team. Usually by listening to the various speakers, something piques the interest of the class and it becomes their project. The 2005 class spend several months driving to Hillsboro every Tuesday to pick up food for the Tualatin Food Pantry, to be distributed to our residents. They are currently working on getting current, working computers donated to the Tualatin Senior Center and other local non-profits in Tualatin.

Graduation - October 2006
Time to celebrate! Leadership Tualatin participants will be joined by family, alumni, members of the Tualatin City Council, Chamber Board members and other community leaders to celebrate their graduation. Past graduation speakers have include Jack Keisling, Kermit Washington & Jack Cain.

“...The whole experience was both interesting & enjoyable.” - Julia Corkett, Tualatin Public Library

Special Notes: Class topics, speakers and exact agendas are always subject to change. Sometimes we are able to take advantage of national speakers that are available. We like to be flexible if the opportunity arises.