Regional Policy Development Opportunity for DCSS students!

Below is a request I actually got from the CEO’s office, asking if greater awareness could be created about this program. I spoke with Ms. Grace Trimble of the Atlanta Regional Commission about the program. If you know any rising 10th and 11th graders that may have an interest in urban policy, city planning, traffic, water pollution, or other regional issues, this is a great opportunity to learn how to formulate policy.

Six to seven monthly meetings are held on Saturdays, beginning in September. Meetings typically run from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm however they could be shorter. With the exception of one overnight retreat, they are typically held in downtown locations (ARC HQ, Ga. Tech, MARTA HQ, etc) and accessible via MARTA. You can get more information about the program by either visiting the website or calling Ms. Trimble.

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From: C.J. Bland, Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) Board Member, Citizen District 6 (DeKalb County)

Re: ARC Model Atlanta Regional Commission (MARC) Youth Leadership Program - www.AtlantaRegional.com/marc

Greetings,

Please note that the MARC Program is open to all rising 10th and 11th graders in the 10-county Atlanta region. I'm sending this message to specifically request assistance in helping to increase participation of DeKalb County students in the 2009-20010 MARC youth leadership program.

Despite months of outreach by the program coordinator, I was informed at our recent annual board retreat that there are still only a few applications from DeKalb County students. Therefore, I would greatly appreciate it if you would share the message below with all persons you know who have access to DeKalb County high school students (e.g., school board and staff members, principals, counselors, teachers, parents, students, alumni, etc.).

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ARC Model Atlanta Regional Commission (MARC) Youth Leadership Program - www.AtlantaRegional.com/marc

Application Deadline Extended (until 5/15)

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) - www.AtlantaRegional.com is the regional planning and intergovernmental coordination agency for the 10-county Atlanta area, including Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties, as well as the City of Atlanta. For 60 years, ARC has helped to focus the region's leadership, attention and resources on key issues of regional consequence. Our board includes the mayor of Atlanta, the highest ranking local elected official in each county, at least one mayor from each county, and several appointed board members.

ARC is now accepting applications for the 2009-2010 class of the Model Atlanta Regional Commission (MARC) youth leadership program. Now in its 11th year, the award-winning Model Atlanta Regional Commission brings together some 50 teens from all 10 counties in the region for six months of study, debate and hands-on activities regarding regional issues and challenges. It gives teens an opportunity to learn more about the community in which they live while honing their leadership skills.

A student must be a rising sophomore or junior to apply for consideration and selection into this program.

Interested students can visit - www.atlantaregional.com/marc for additional information, and to download an application. Please direct any questions to Ms. Grace Trimble, MARC Program Coordinator, at 404-463-3192 or gtrimble@atlantaregional.com.