Civic Engagement

What is Civic Engagement?

Civic engagement is the process by which our citizens' concerns, needs, and values are identified prior to decisions being made. It allows our residents the opportunity to contribute to and become involved with the City's decision-making process. Two-way communication and problem solving from the onset result in better decision-making by the City, supported by our residents.

The heart of a healthy democracy is a citizenry actively engaged in civic responsibility for building communities, solving community problems and participating in the electoral and political process. This is what we strive for.

What does the Civic Engagement Division do?

The Civic Engagement Division, formerly the Marketing & Public Affairs Division, leads the City's efforts in transforming Ventura into a community truly committed to Civic Engagement. We strive to involve more people, strengthen the links between dialogue, decision-making, and actions and increase community capacity for collaboration.

The Civic Engagement Division works with the various City departments, schools, community groups, businesses and residents to foster collaborative partnerships that will lead to strong community relationships and a more engaged community. Civic Engagement forums include:

• City website and City Manager blog
• MyVentura Magazine
• Media Relations: Newspaper, Radio, TV
• My Ventura Access
• E-news
• Public Education Campaigns
• Town hall meetings and community dialogues
• CAPS Channel 15

For any questions or comments, log on to MyVentura Access or call 805/654.7731

Media Portal

• View press releases and city news

Resident Survey Results

• City of Ventura Resident Satisfaction Survey, Dec. 2007
• City of Ventura Communications Survey

Below are several ways you can learn more about what is going on in your City:

• My Ventura
  Our city's new tri-annual magazine publication that features city news, recreation classes and events.
   
• E-Newsletter
  Sign up for Achieving Our Vision, the City of Ventura E-newsletter to be informed about important City news, events, and activities.
• City Manager Blog
  Stay informed on important issues impacting your community by visiting City Manager Rick Cole's blog and provide your comments.
• City Connection Television program broadcast on VTV Channel 15. A monthly program that gives residents a glimpse into City programs and services. This program is produced with the help of CAPS Channel 6.
   
• City Annual Photo Contest
  Each year the City seeks photographs of Ventura to be used in City publications and on the City's website.
  
  

  Amateur and professional photographers of all ages! The City of Ventura Photography Contest - for its fifth anniversary - is going all digital and on-line!

  • Go to the 2008 Photo Contest

Get Involved!
We encourage citizens to get involved in their community. Below are some quick ways you can do that this year.

1. Call 677-3914 or email lurban@cityofventura.net to request a speaker about various city issues and projects for your civic group, neighborhood organization or PTA.
    
2. Volunteer! Click here to download our Citizen Involvement Guide (pdf). For more information, call 652-4555 or email volunteersforventura@.ci.ventura.ca.us
    
3. Become a V.I.P. and make Ventura shine. Volunteers in Policing partner with the Police Department to make our community safer. Call 339-4369 or log on to www.venturapd.com
    
4. VOTE! If you are not registered contact the County of Ventura Elections Division at 654-2781 or 800 South Victoria, Ventura, CA 93009. For additional voting information, please see our I Vote, I Count campaign.

Divsion Awards

• 3CMA Savvy Awards - Honoring Creative Marketing & Communications - Best Citizen Participation Program for "What's Under the Manhole?" 4th Grade Curriculum - October 25, 2007
• 3CMA Savvy Awards - Honoring Creative Marketing & Communications - Best Printed Publication/Recreation Catalog for "My Ventura" Magazine - October 25, 2007
• 3CMA Savvy Awards - Honoring Creative Marketing & Communications - Best Promotional Video for "Budget 101" - October 25, 2007
• 3CMA Silver Circle Award - Citizen Participation - August 25, 2005
• 3CMA Silver Circle Award - Printed Publications - Internal Newsletter, August 25, 2005
• CAPS - 2004 Cappie Award - Educational & Governmental Television Best News/Magazine Program - City Connection, March 2004
• 3CMA Susan B. Farmer Memorial Award - Honoring the Most Outstanding Environmental Video to Harbor Wetlands Video, City of Ventura, 2004
• 3CMA Award of Excellence - Best Publication - Other, September 2, 2004
• 3CMA Silver Circle Award - Best TV & Video - One Time Programming September 2, 2004
• 3CMA Silver Circle Award - Best Newsletter - Electronic Internal - September 4, 2003
• 3CMA Award of Excellence - Best Newsletter - Residents September 7, 2001
• 3CMA Savvy Awards - Honoring Creative Marketing & Communications Best Publication - Recreation, September 8, 2000
• 3CMA Savvy Awards - Honoring Creative Marketing & Communications Best Community Visioning Process, September 8, 2000
• 3CMA Award of Excellence - Best Community Visioning Process, September 24, 1999
• 3CMA Savvy Awards - Honoring Creative Marketing & Communications - Best Video - One Time - September 24, 1999

City of Ventura Information

Mayor, City Council and City Manager Biographies

Mayor - Christy Weir
See former mayor Carl Morehouse's
2007 State of the City Address from February 5, 2007.

City Council
Neal Andrews
Brian Brennan
Bill Fulton, Deputy Mayor
Jim Monahan
Carl Morehouse
Ed Summers
 

City Manager - Rick Cole
 

To learn more about Ventura please visit the following links:

• Ventura Visitor and Convention Bureau
   
• Ventura Unified School District
   
• Ventura Chamber of Commerce
   
• Ventura Harbor
   
• Seaside Park

We welcome you to contact us!

City Hall
Civic Engagement Division
501 Poli Street, Room 216
Ventura, CA 93002-0099
(805) 654-7731

Civic Engagement Staff