1. Get networking.
Ah, networking: It seems like a tricky task to meet people face to face and make a positive impression on them in this digital age. However, by showing your investment in the community, people will see your passion, your drive and your initiative, all things needed in a good employee or teammate. Also, there may be myriad professionals might share the same interests. So who knows? Maybe you'll make an unexpected connection that helps you later on.
2. Get your voice heard.
In attending an event like the MPA Summit, you have the opportunity to be heard by powerful people. Political leaders are here—and have the power—to help you and members of your community make changes that could have great overall benefits. By interacting with these individuals, you get strength too, in the ability to let leaders know what you need most from your government in the future.
3. Get practice being civically engaged.
Political scientist Alexis de Tocqueville suggested that “engaging in civic life makes one a better citizen.” To that we say, "Yes, sir, it does." Civic participation is the cornerstone of American democracy. To be an active community member, you need to know both the hot button issues and the smaller topics others may have missed. How do you that? By joining a unique group of informed individuals and experiencing the political system at work during the MPA political summit. Then you can take all you learned there and use it to future generations.
4. Get informed.
Sure, you're constantly inundated with news, tweets, texts, videos, you name it. But how much of that information is on your local government? An MPA Summit addresses issues unfolding now and impacting your community's daily life. So why not sign up? It's the perfect primer to get you up to speed.
5. Get the latest on how new leadership will impact your community.
New administrations bring new changes, and sometimes traditional means of learning about those changes only explain them in broad strokes. An MPA Summit, however, can be the perfect place to learn the nitty-gritty details of what exactly those changes mean for your town, your family, your life. Make sure you get down to business—and down to the details—by attending the MPA Summit.
6. Get the full impact of policy decisions.
When the state makes choices it trickles down to all levels of the community, especially the education system and other public works. By getting a good handle on the ongoing situations in your state government, you will be able to predict the results on your local level. Plus you get to rub elbows with Connecticut political elite, need we say more.
7. Get respect for showing up "in the room where it happens."
Results show that the community members who participate in civic life are most likely to be heard and have their needs met through government actions. If you have an issue that you are passionate about, go out there and speak on it. The people who see your energy will respect you for it and want to help the cause you support so avidly. Take it from us, be the one who makes a change in the world.
Fairfield University’s Masters of Public Administration (MPA) program will host its second annual summit on April 2, 2019 in the John A. Barone Campus Center Dogwood Room. The annual conference, which focuses on the issues and challenges of public administration in a global marketplace, is free and open to the public, and will address Connecticut’s political and economic challenges with a 21st Century vision.
Last Modified: 05-20-2021 09:19 AM
