Free leadership training program in Sisters open to community members
SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Sisters is now accepting applications for the third cohort of the Sisters Civic Leadership Academy. The program is designed to develop a diverse pipeline of future leaders for local government boards, committees and community organizations.
The academy is a collaborative project between the City of Sisters and the nonprofit Citizens4Community. Over six weeks, participants receive hands-on training in local government processes and collaborative leadership through facilitation by Portland State University's National Policy Consensus Center.
The program is scheduled to run on Mondays from April 13 through May 18. Sessions will be held at City Hall from 5-8 PM, culminating in a final presentation to the Sisters City Council on June 10. Participants will research a city-assigned local challenge and produce a report on their findings.
The academy is free to attend. To support accessibility, the program provides complimentary meals, child care and accessibility services for all cohort members. Recruitment and hospitality are managed by Citizens4Community to coordinate the participant experience.
Eligibility is open to community members over the age of 16 who reside within the Sisters School District boundary or Camp Sherman. No prior leadership experience is required to apply. Organizers will select up to 12 members for the 2026 cohort, with priority given to city residents who are new to civic leadership.
Staff from Portland State University's National Policy Consensus Center will facilitate the academy. The center has managed similar civic programs in cities across Oregon for the past decade. During the six-week course, city staff will provide an inside look at local government operations while participants practice collaborative leadership skills.
Kerry Prosser, Sisters' assistant city manager, noted that previous sessions have already influenced local governance. "The City Council is thrilled to be bringing the Academy back for a third year," Prosser said. "Our first two cohorts brought together 22 community members with a wide range of experiences, many of whom have since stepped into new local leadership roles. Academy alumni are now serving on Sisters City Council, city advisory committees, the Sisters Country Vision Implementation Committee (VIT), and several nonprofit boards."
Kellen Klein, executive director of Citizens4Community, described the academy as a way for residents to build connections within the town. "There are so many opportunities to get involved in community life here in Sisters Country," Klein said. "If you want to make an impact locally, there's no better on ramp to participation I've seen than the Sisters Civic Leadership Academy. Participants have also told us that it's helped them build lasting friendships across backgrounds, ages and lived experiences."
Prospective applicants can attend an information session at The Barn on Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 5-6 PM. The event will allow residents to speak with program organizers and former academy participants. The 2026 academy is funded through support from Citizens4Community, the Oregon State Capital Foundation and the Sisters-based Roundhouse Foundation.
Applications are available in both English and Spanish at citizens4community.com/academy.
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 1. The 2026 cohort will begin their sessions on April 13 and deliver their final reports to the City Council on June 10.
