If you have ever wondered what happens beyond a City Council meeting, Chandler is offering a closer look.

CIVIC, the city's resident engagement program, is accepting applications for its 2027 cohort through Sunday, November 8.

The free program gives selected residents an opportunity to meet city leaders, explore facilities and learn how everyday services are delivered.

For someone who wants to become more involved locally, the application period is a practical place to start.

A look beyond the public counter

CIVIC is described as an interactive, 14-session program rather than a single lecture or tour.

Participants can explore topics ranging from fire and police services to public works, development, neighborhoods and economic development.

The experience includes activities such as a firefighter training simulation, a water reclamation facility tour and a mock legislative hearing.

Those examples give the program a hands-on character that may appeal to residents who learn best by seeing how things work.

The opportunity is to connect the city you experience with the people and processes behind it.

A question about a neighborhood project, for example, can lead to a better understanding of which department handles which part of the work.

That kind of familiarity can make future participation more informed and less intimidating.

It does not require arriving with expertise in municipal government.

Check whether you are eligible

Applicants must be Chandler residents, age 18 or older, and cannot currently be employed by the City of Chandler.

They also need to commit to attending at least ten sessions.

The city will select 25 residents, with applications competitively ranked.

Selection considers the completeness of the application, the applicant's interest in the program and a desire to participate in the community and local government.

Submitting an application is therefore different from reserving a guaranteed place.

Take time to explain what you hope to learn and why the program interests you.

A concrete example from your own experience is likely to communicate that motivation more clearly than a general statement about liking the city.

Use your own circumstances and interests rather than trying to sound like someone who already works in government.

Review the calendar before applying

The program runs from January through June 2027 at different Chandler locations.

Most sessions are scheduled on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 7 p.m., but the published calendar includes exceptions and optional activities.

The first orientation is listed for January 13, and the closing event is scheduled for June 21.

Dates and topics are subject to change, so review the full current schedule when considering the attendance commitment.

Put the sessions alongside work, family and other responsibilities before deciding whether this is the right year to participate.

The requirement to attend at least ten sessions is an important part of that decision.

The program is free, but it still asks for your time, which deserves the same planning as any other ongoing commitment.

If a scheduling or eligibility question affects whether you can apply, ask before making an assumption.

The listed program contact is Communications and Public Affairs Director Matthew Burdick at 480-782-2232.

November 8 is the application deadline, while the actual learning sessions begin next year.

Keeping those two timelines separate helps avoid waiting until January to express interest.

Residents considering future neighborhood involvement may find the broad overview useful even without a specific role in mind.

Others may arrive with a particular interest in planning, public safety or how local services are funded and managed.

Either way, a thoughtful application can explain the connection between your curiosity and the commitment you are willing to make.

Read the eligibility rules, check the schedule and complete the application while the window remains open.

CIVIC offers a chance to become better acquainted with Chandler's work behind the scenes and to bring that understanding back to your community.

Graduates of Chandler's 2026 CIVIC program. Photo courtesy of City of Chandler; the new cohort begins in 2027.

More information

Eligibility, dates and program overview

2027 application announcement

CIVIC application