Local government 101 was a great opportunity to become engaged as a citizen and gain a better understanding of how local governments work. A panel of elected officials and unelected municipal government leaders discussed their personal roles and experiences in local government. The panel participated in a moderated discussion, and there was time for networking and refreshments by Woods & River Coffee. Citizens were exposed to an overview of how their local government works, which includes functions such as budgeting and policymaking.

We learned that the local government has many responsibilities, including public health and safety, infrastructure, and public opinion management. Understanding local government is essential for engaged citizenship which is why it was particularly helpful to become aware of the resources available in our area for citizens to access.

We learned about the responsibilities of local administrators, and discussed how citizens can play a holistic part in their communities. When answering questions like “What do people think you do that the position does not do?” each of the panelists had multiple examples. There was open discussion about what each of these roles want/need from the public that will help them achieve their community goals. All of the panelists agreed that an active or engaged citizen is someone who attends public meetings and stays informed on what is happening in your communities. If you are looking to better understand local government or election procedures, you can reach the Venango County Voter Registration & Election Services coordinators at (814) 432-9514.

This article was published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) March 2023 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.