This past weekend, we partnered with Rural Development Initiatives to host our first Civic Leadership Program, an exciting new way for residents to learn how their city government works and how community volunteers and organizations help keep Independence thriving. 
Participants took guided tours of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Police facilities, explored hands-on presentations on government finance, and visited the Independence Public Library to see how local services operate day-to-day. They also heard directly from community partners including the Ella Curran Food Bank and the Independence Oregon Friends of the Library, gaining insight into the role that local groups play in supporting our community.
This program is designed to build our community’s leadership capacity, encouraging residents to get more involved—whether that’s serving on a city commission or volunteering with a local organization.
We’re looking forward to hosting more programs like this and continuing to invest in the next generation of civic leaders right here in Independence.
