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

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 Arlington, Agenda Alexandria, George 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.

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.

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

Sips, Savories & the Arts Soiree, June 2024

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!