CONTACTS
DR. VICTORIA FARRAR-MYERS
Lead Organizer & Course Instructor
ALICIA BUTLER
Program Manager
acei@arlingtontx.com
817-543-4304
LinkedIn groupCohort Dropbox
Congratulations & Welcome to the 2026 Cohort
Course Overview
The Arlington Civic Engagement Institute is designed to help interested individuals become more civically engaged and assume leadership positions in Arlington. By enrolling in this Institute, each student has answered for themselves the “who” question. The Institute is designed to teach some of the fundamental aspects of “how”, “where”, “when” and “what” of becoming more civically engaged:
- How can an individual become more civically engaged?
- Where are opportunities to become more civically engaged?
- When is the best me to take advantage of each level of civic engagement?
- What does a person need to know to become involved and to lead at each level of civic
engagement?
At the end, each cohort member should be able to compose their own answer to the “why” question – why does she or he want to be civically engaged – and to develop a plan for their chosen next level of civic engagement.
Course Expectations
1. Chatham House Rule
In order to create a trusted environment in which participants are encouraged to have a free and open exchange of ideas, all Institute meetings (formal or informal; in cohort sessions or in Perspectives Lunches) will follow the Chatham House Rule, which states:
When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.
Cohort members are encouraged to learn from each other and help each other flesh out their ideas, and all participants need to respect the privacy of their fellow Cohort members and the Institute’s processes.
2. No Electronics During Meetings
Except as set forth in this paragraph, no electronic devices (e.g., cell phones, Smartwatches, etc.) will be permitted to be used during Institute programs for two reasons. We want all Cohort members to be fully engaged in Institute programming. Also, and just as important, to help create the safe environment under the Chatham House Rule, we do not want any recordings of the Institute sessions (either intentional or inadvertent) to occur. Cohort Members may bring a laptop, iPad, or similar device solely for notetaking, referencing Institute work or recourses, or for other purposes directly related to the conduct of the session.
3. Attendance & Participation
Cohort members are expected to attend and fully participate in all Institute sessions. Cohort members should plan their schedules appropriately. We recognize that over a 6-month period unexpected events can arise for work or personal matters. Thus, a cohort member can have up to one excused absence for a missed session provided (a) the member notifies Dr. Farrar-Myers as much in advance as possible including details of the reason for missing the session, and (b) make arrangements with Dr. Farrar-Myers to complete any necessary work to “make up” the missed session. The determination of whether an absence constitutes an “excused absence” under this provision shall be made by Dr. Farrar-Myers and the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce in their sole discretion. Cohort members are permitted to attend and participate in all Cohort sessions but can have no more than one excused absence in order to obtain a Certificate of Completion at the end of the Institute.
Session Topics & Materials
All sessions will be held in-person at the Greater Arlington Chamber from 8:00am – 1:00pm. There will be NOT be a meeting in December.
PERSPECTIVE LUNCHES
Lunch will be provided from 1:00pm – 2:00pm with the option to stay and network with guest speakers or to take with you as you leave.
Leaders from throughout the Arlington community will be invited to engage in an informal discussion with cohort members on their respective leadership roles and journeys, and their perspectives on Arlington and civic engagement. Cohort Members will be given opportunities to ask questions of these leaders and benefit from the multiple perspectives they offer.
INDIVIDUAL LEADERSHIP SESSION
As a valued component of the Arlington Civic Engagement Institute, all cohort members will benefit from a personalized, one-hour leadership consultation with Dr. Farrar-Myers. This exclusive session offers participants the opportunity to receive tailored guidance, deepen their leadership insights, and explore strategies for maximizing their civic impact under the mentorship of a distinguished expert in public service and civic leadership.
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES (OPPITIONAL)
- December Field Trip
- ACEI Connects: Alumni Happy Hour
Pre-Work
- Required: Complete the Gallup 34 CliftonStrengths Assessment
- LinkedIn Group: Add yourself to the chat by clicking the red button above
Overview: This session is dedicated to the fundamentals of being civically engaged and leading in Arlington – understanding oneself and then understanding the city.
Expected topics:
- Institute Overview
- Knowing Yourself / Working with Others / Personal Mission Statement
- Knowing Arlington – City & School Board Basics
- Foundational Documents
- Understanding Governmental Priorities and Objectives
Learning outcomes: After this session, Cohort Members should be able:
- To explain their areas of personal strengths and opportunities for personal growth
- To apply their personal strengths to the development of a personal mission statement
- To describe and to examine fundamental documents and governing priorities in Arlington to identify areas in which the Cohort Member potentially could become civically engaged
Deliverables:
- Individual and class photos
Overview: This session delves into leadership opportunities at the neighborhood level, including exploring City resources available to neighborhoods.
Expected Topics:
- Neighborhood Governing/Management Models: HOA, PID, MMD
- Neighborhood Projects, Grants & Plans
- Other City Resources for Neighborhood
- Active Neighborhood Associations (case studies)
Learning Outcomes: After this session, Cohort Members should be able:
- To describe the types of leadership and engagement opportunities available at the neighborhood level
- To analyze the strengths and limitations of City resources for neighborhoods
- To identify best practices currently in use in neighborhood associations and to evaluate ways to enhance or expand these practices.
Deliverables:
- City Map
Overview: This session explores non-elected leadership opportunities at the community level, including examining case studies of high-profile commissions and committees.
Expected Topics:
- Non-Profit Board Roles and Responsibilities
- Capacity Building in the Non-Profit Sector
- City Boards & Commissions and ISD Committees
- Case Studies:
- Planning and Zoning
- Bond Committees
Learning Outcomes: After this session, Cohort Members should be able:
- To demonstrate the type of impact that each non-elected leadership opportunity can have in the community
- To assess the types of leadership opportunities in the community for which they would be best suited
- To identify best practices of individuals and boards, and to evaluate how to increase civic engagement at this level of leadership
Deliverables:
- Handouts (see Institute Materials Drive)
Overview: This session starts the shift in the Institute’s focus to elected office starting with “why” you want to run for office. Running for office requires a candidate to be able to craft their “why” into a narrative that will resonate with voters and donors, but also how their “why” ties into other important issues that the candidate would need to discuss during the campaign.
Note: For those who do not plan to seek elected office, this session should be approached from the perspective of why they should be a leader in Arlington.
Expected Topics:
- Crafting Your Narrative – Who Are You and What Drives You
- Knowing the Office You Seek and Why
- Knowing the Issues and Why They Are Relevant to You
- Fundraising 101 – Your Message
Learning Outcomes: After this session, Cohort Members should be able:
- To formulate and to express a clear statement about “why” they may want to run for office or lead in Arlington in a way that aligns with your personal mission statement
- To analyze current important issues related to the office and to relate their “why” statement to these issues
Deliverables:
- Video Recording of WHY
Overview: This session addresses some of the nuts and bolts of how to run for office by focusing on some of the key questions that a candidate faces in running a campaign.
Expected Topics:
- Re-crafting your narrative (briefly)
- Fundraising 102 – The Process
- Questionnaires and Candidate Forums
- Campaign Mechanics
- Campaign Finance Rules (TEC)
- City Secretary Office/Binder & ISD Candidate Information
Learning Outcomes: After this session, Cohort Members should be able:
- To identify key issues and questions that a candidate will face in running a campaign
- To determine in which areas they feel strong, and in which they may face challenges
- To design a campaign timeline & next steps
Deliverables:
- City Council and ISD Filing Information
Overview: CONGRATULATONS – you have been elected to public office (or have achieved your desired leadership position)! Now what do you do when you get there? This final session examines some of the realities of elected office and the ways to navigate the challenges ahead of you to create meaningful and impactful change in Arlington.
Expected Topics:
- Budgets
Rules of Engagement
Working with Staff
How Much Time?
Know Where, How, and If Can Make a Change
Policy making – Knowing Your Lane and Level
Slippery Slope of Promises
Learning Outcomes: After this session, cohort members should be able to
- Determine how well their individual strengths, challenges, and leadership style would mesh
with the realities of the position - Develop their personal approach and plan for leading in the desired position
Evaluate areas for personal growth and training
Deliverables: