Officials with the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce are looking to double participation in their second session of their Civic Leadership Academy.

The Civic Leadership Academy is a civic-focused program that prepares business professionals for engagement in public service, positioning themselves to embark on campaigns for local key civic engagement and/or elected positions, according to the academy’s website.

Six business professionals participated in the program the first year in 2022. Chamber officials are looking for 10 to 12 participants for this year's program. Participants must be 21 or older and a Bexar County resident with demonstrated business leadership/management abilities.

The application window to enroll into this year’s Civil Leadership Academy began July 5 and continues through Aug. 21.

Founded in 1974, the North San Antonio Chamber had the foresight to anticipate the future growth beyond downtown, according to chamber officials. The organization has since continued to play a major role in addressing issues such as transportation infrastructure, energy diversification, water quality and supply, health and wellness, technology and education, etc.

Chamber officials said they recognized the need for a more collaborative, balanced approach between business and local governments when it comes to making impactful policy decisions. This includes representation of elected and appointed officials with business experience, and an understanding of how local government impacts businesses, employers, workforce and the overall economy, according to the academy’s website.

“The Civic Leadership Academy program has been an idea that was produced several years ago. It was identified that there needed to be more balance of the business community represented in these [civic] areas, and with that, the goal is to have that balance in these roles,” said Leticia Peña Martinez, the chamber’s senior vice president of government affairs and advocacy. “The impact of that is economic development, jobs, and helping businesses impact everyone; it’s important to our city, and our community, that those voices are at the table. They can help the community understand more on the impact of economics.”

The program was condensed from three-months program to a one-month program where participants meet every Thursday for about three and half hours. The information was not condensed, Peña Martinez said; however, they wanted to make sure what participants are learning stays with them to the next class.

The participants start off with a self-assessment that helps them understand themselves as to what it is that drives them. Main topics in the academy include Civics 101, covering the basics of local and regional government and business and how those things work together. The academy also covers campaign fundamentals and components, and communications and public relations.

“We bring in former elected officials to talk through historical aspects, and some other professionals and mentors, as well, to give insight,” Peña Martinez said. “Towards the end we try to keep it fun and get them out of their comfort zone when they bring everything they learned together to create a pitch.”

Peña Martinez said the chamber represents the business community, but the leadership academy benefits the community as a whole.

“For the individuals themselves, it’s helping them to feel confident by making sure they're educated, informed and aware of the process, of the things that are important, not only when you’re running for office, but when you get the position. It is the things they need to think about and consider when they decide a very important decision that impacts the community,” Peña Martinez said.

Chamber officials said they look to make some improvements in order to ensure even more engagement of participants in civic duties after the program ends.

“We had about one or two individuals that engaged more in their communities and organizations after the program. One participant in particular has blown up in terms of her engagement, even in national organizations as well,” Peña Martinez said. “This year we want to be able to follow up and identify and support civic and business opportunities for them, so it doesn’t just end with 'there’s your class, here’s your certificate.' We want to expand in that way. We don’t get into, or get behind candidates per se; however, we do want to support in terms of resources or identifying opportunities."