Welcome! Just as the Arlington Committee of 100 fostered open, inclusive and vigorous discussion of issues involving all facets of community life in Arlington for the last 70 years, Advance Arlington continues that tradition - with a new name and logo to reflect our post-Covid determination to be as inclusive, forward-looking and welcoming as possible as we enter our eighth decade of service to Arlington. 
 
Advance Arlington's educational forums remain open to all, and provide a non partisan setting where important, often controversial issues of local and regional interest are addressed by experts, with audience participation in lively Q&A sessions. 
 
Please join us - and JOIN THE CONVERSATION!

Welcome to the 2024-2025 Program Year

The Advance Arlington Board will provide several opportunities for combined in-person and virtual hybrid programs throughout the year with remaining programs hosted on Zoom. Stay tuned to our website and emails for updates.

Viewers may also watch our programs live or afterwards on our Facebook Page, and the recordings will be uploaded to our "Past Programs" tab as well.

October Program

Governing in the 21st Century

Are Local Governments in Sync with their Constituents?

A Conversation with Libby Garvey and Justin Wilson


Libby Garvey, Chair, Arlington County Board

Justin Wilson, Mayor, Alexandria City


Please Join Advance Arlington in Partnership with Agenda Alexandria and George Mason University's Schar School and Office of Community and Local Government Relations

 

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

6:30 pm reception with light refreshments

Program begins at 7:00 pm

 

In Person at

Mason Square, George Mason University's Arlington Campus Auditorium

3351 Fairfax Dr, Arlington, VA 22201

and Virtually via Zoom


There’s a saying that all politics is local. As we stand a quarter of the way into the 21st century, how are local governments operating, and, importantly, keeping in sync with their constituents in today’s world of rapid technological change, social media and polarization? When contending with critical social issues like affordable housing and economic development, are elected leaders taking the public’s pulse or proceeding assuming their decisions have support? 

 

Have recent controversial issues like the “Missing Middle” housing initiative in Arlington and the Monumental Sports arena failure in Alexandria laid bare a growing rift between local government and constituents? Are the “Arlington Way” and the “Alexandria Way” of consensus building gone? 

 

Join Advance ArlingtonAgenda AlexandriaGeorge Mason University's Schar School for Policy and Government and Office of Community and Local Government Relations for this special event with two distinguished elected officials as they prepare to step away from public office: Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey and Alexandria City Mayor Justin Wilson. Topics will include:

  • Are the “Alexandria Way” and the “Arlington Way” still effective for constituent input?
  • How has local government changed in the last several decades?
  • Lessons learned from economic development and housing controversies.
  • Civility in public engagement in our polarized times.
  • How technology is / isn't being used to engage the public.
  • Are local government decision makers reaching young constituents who make up a growing population?
  • Does one-party control of a local government hamper compromise?
  • Advice for current and future local elected officials.

Moderated by Michael Pope

Michael Pope is an author and journalist who lives in Old Town Alexandria. He has reported for NPR, the New York Times and the Alexandria Gazette Packet. He has a master's degree in American Studies from Florida State University, and he is a former adjunct professor at Tallahassee Community College. He is the author of five books.

Overview by Alan Abramson

Alan J. Abramson is a professor and the director of the Center on Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Social Enterprise in the Schar School for Policy and Government at George Mason University. He is a core faculty member of the Schar School's Master of Public Administration (MPA) program that prepares graduate students for public service careers.



Fall Edition: Quiz the Candidates Night

Advance Arlington would like to thank everyone who attended our 2024-25 program season kickoff, FALL EDITION: QUIZ THE CANDIDATES NIGHT, on September 11th at Lubber Run Community Center.

 

We were thrilled to hear from our School Board candidates, Kathleen Clark, James Vell Rives, Zuraya Tapia-Hadley, and Paul Weiss and County Board candidates, Audrey Clement, Juan Carlos Fierro, Madison Granger, and JD Spain, Sr. Thank you to our moderators, Karina Elwood of The Washington Post, and Jay Fisette, former Arlington County Board Chair and Member who facilitated an engaging and comprehensive debate on local issues.


Upcoming Programs

  • Wednesday, October 9, 2024 Governing in the 21st Century:  Are Local Governments in Sync with their Constituents?
  • Wednesday, November 13, 2024 TBA

DID YOU MISS ANY OF OUR 2023-2024 PROGRAMS?


Donate/Become a Member

Thank you for your interest in supporting Advance Arlington. Please click below for more information about our new membership levels and opportunities to support our mission. 

These funds go exclusively to implementing our educational programs, where we provide
a neutral, nonpartisan setting where important local and regional issues are discussed by experts, with audience participation in lively Q&A sessions
 
As we enter our eighth decade of service to the Arlington community, we continue to strive to be as inclusive, forward looking and welcoming as possible. We're glad you're here and truly appreciate your support!

Thank you to our Sponsors

Sips, Savories & the Arts Soiree, June 2024

Jeanne Broyhill

Edd & Anita Nolen


We are immensely grateful for the generosity of our sponsors whose crucial contributions allow us to offer exciting programming for the upcoming year. You can find these wonderful community partners on our website's new Sponsors page here - and please consider joining this terrific list too!


2024-2025 Board of Directors