Civics 101

Overview
Civics 101 is a nine-week citizen’s academy designed to educate, inform, and entertain residents interested in learning more about our municipal government.

The free program, which is celebrating its 8th anniversary this year, is open to Davidson residents and residents of Davidson’s extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) who are 18 and older. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss departmental functions and operations with town department heads, tour the fire and police departments, learn about town history from Davidson College’s archivist, and take part in a personalized question and answer session with the Board of Commissioners.  Regardless of how long you have lived in Davidson, this is a great way to familiarize yourself with the town government, meet elected officials, town staff and other residents.
2015-03-28 Civics101 Bus Tour 9am
  • Attendance Requirements
Registration for our 2017 Civics 101 class will open in November -- there will be a link posted to this page and we will send out an eCrier message. If you are not signed up for our eCrier subscriber lists, please go to www.townofdavidson.org/eCrier

to sign up by entering your email address and clicking on the gray envelope icon next to the list in which you are interested ("News Releases" would be the list to which we will send Civics 101 registration information).



Classes will be held at town hall. They begin Thursday, February 9, 2017 and continue through the beginning of April, meeting each Thursday. Classes also include a Saturday field trip and graduation ceremony at the April board of commissioners’ regular meeting on April 11. Participants can elect to sign up for a day session from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or the evening session from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Participants should not expect nine weeks of lectures. Classes will require participation in discussion and activities. Acceptance into the program is on a first come, first serve basis and only 25 participants will be able to participate in each class. Residents selected must commit to attending all classes.

Applying for Civics 101


For more information about the program, please email Cristina Shaul or call her at 704-940-9602.

2017 Class Schedule


  • Daytime class meets 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
  • Evening class meets 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 9, 2017
  • Session 1 – Welcome and Class Overview
  • A Look Back: Town History with Jan Blodgett and Marvin Brandon
  • Location: Davidson Town Hall
Thursday, February 16, 2017
  • Session 2 – Town Manager -- Council Form of Government/Administration, Vision, Mission and Core Values
  • Location: Davidson Town Hall
Thursday, February 23, 2017
  • Session 3 – Communications and Finance
    Location: Davidson Town Hall
Thursday, March 2, 2017
  • Session 4 - Economic Development and Planning
    Location: Davidson Town Hall 
Thursday, March 9, 2017
  • Session 5 – Parks & Recreation and Public Works
    Location: Davidson Town Hall
Thursday, March 16, 2017
  • Session 6 -- Affordable Housing and Hot Topics
  • Location: Davidson Town Hall
Thursday, March 23, 2017
  • Session 7 – Police Department
  • Location: Davidson Town Hall
Saturday, March 25, 2017
  • Session 8 - Bus tour of town (9 to 10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
  • Location: Meet at Parks and Recreation Office at 865 South Street (at entrance of greenway)
Thursday, March 30, 2017
  • Session 9 – Meet the Board/Learn about Davidson's nonprofit organizations
  • Location: Meet at Davidson Town Hall
Thursday, April 6, 2017
  • Session 11  -- Fire Department
  • Location: Davidson Town Hall
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
  • Recognition at Davidson Board of Commissioners meeting at 6:00 p.m.