Summary

City Council School is a free program for engaged residents who are interested in running for Cincinnati City Council and/or want a deeper understanding of the City’s government systems and practices to successfully champion new policy.

City Council School participants engage with panelists representing government administration leadership and subject matter experts, political decision-makers, elected officials and their staff, journalists, council clerks, community leaders, and others who play critical roles in shaping local policy process and outcomes. 

The course also includes workshops, tours, and opportunities for participants to reflect on what inspires them to consider public service and how that translates into policy choices and constituent representation. This experience will provide participants with the resources, knowledge, networks, and skills to be successful resident representatives and elected officials. 

As with all of our programming, Action Tank is partnering with artists and arts organizations in researching, building awareness of, and promoting systems change. 

Goals

We endeavor to provide City Council School participants with a foundation that allows them to be effective legislators and advocates. Particularly with two-year terms, new Council Members and advocates benefit significantly from a solid foundation in how: 

• local government works

• to navigate the bureaucracy

• to identify and make the best use of available information and legislative tools

• to manage city council responsibilities 

• to staff and manage a council office or how to effectively engage with Council offices