CORE CLASSES
The Community University program offers a four-part series of core classes which cover fundamental topics helpful with strengthening neighborhood organizations.  The core classes schedule for the fall/winter 2009 series is coming soon.  

HOT TOPICS
The "Hot Topics" series addresses many key neighborhood issues and concerns throughout Charlotte.  Topics for the fall/winter 2009 series are coming soon.  

2009 SUMMER CLASSES
The Summer Series focuses on neighborhood improvement projects residents can complete to help preserve and strengthen their neighborhood.  The schedule for 2009 is included below:

Organizing Neighborhood Projects: Easy as 1, 2, 3
7/9/09
6:30 pm-8:00 pm
YWCA at 3420 Park Road
Learn about forming committees, planning strategically and completing project management steps for neighborhood projects.

Food for Thought: Community Gardens
7/15/09
9:30 am-11:00 am
Wilmore Community Center at 501 West Boulevard
This session covers how to create and manage a community garden and how to troubleshoot potential problems. Gardening options for seniors and the handicapped, as well as available resources for community gardens, will be shared. 

Healthy Lawns and Gardens
7/20/09
9:30 am-11:00 am
Wilmore Community Center at 501 West Boulevard
Learn tips for community and personal gardens, including preventing pests, soil management and maintenance and selecting the correct types of plants for your garden. 

Do-it Yourself: Home Repairs for Anyone
7/29/09
9:30 am-11:00 am
Wilmore Community Center at 501 West Boulevard
This workshop covers how to complete do-it yourself home projects, such as weather stripping, showerhead and toilet replacement, and screen repair. 

Healthy Environment = Healthy Neighborhoods
8/3/09
6:30 pm-8:00 pm
YWCA at 3420 Park Road
Learn how having a healthy environment can make your neighborhood healthy, including ideas like composting, recycling, and properly maintaining water sources.

Register

CUSTOMIZED TRAINING
Beyond the Core Classes and Hot Topics series, customized trainings are also available for neighborhood organizations.  If your neighborhood has a specific need, contact us to arrange a customized training. Minimum of 10 participants required. Topics include, but are not limited to the following: 

Leadership
Block Captain Training
Board Training
Effective Meetings
Engaging Neighborhood Stakeholders
Identifying Neighborhood Assets
Developing Our Future: Mobilizing Youth for Neighborhoods

Organizational Basics
Can Do Committees
Developing Bylaws
Developing Vision and Mission Statements
Elections Made Easy
Neighborhood Organizing
Problem Solving and Strategic Planning
Project Management
Your Neighborhood Organization: Basics and Beyond

Resources   
501(c)(3) Status and Neighborhoods: What It Means for You
The ABC's of Zoning and Development
Code Enforcement
Gang Awareness
How Are We Doing: Neighborhood Checkup
Increasing Neighborhood Participation
Inside the Quality of Life Study
Maximizing Diversity in Neighborhoods
Teambuilding for Success
Technology Tools for Your Neighborhood
Understanding Our City Government and Services

Neighborhood Finances
Financial Management for Neighborhoods
Fun with Neighborhood Fundraising
Grant Writing for Neighborhoods
Neighborhood Matching Grants Pre-Application Workshop

Communication
Communicating with Government and the Media
Conflict Management for Neighborhoods
Effective Communication
Good Neighbor
Newsletters and Communication Strategies