The poet June Jordan wrote: "We are the ones we have been waiting for."  This is certainly the case in Dayton.  Our local government is set up to give neighborhood residents the right to be leaders on neighborhood issues.  If this is something that interests you, consider applying for the Neighborhood Leadership Institute.  It is a 12-week program that helps citizens become better community leaders.  You will learn about Dayton's neighborhoods, see how local government works, and gain leadership skills.  It's highly informative and also a lot of fun.  The people in the program are young and old, liberal and conservative, from every background and profession.  The common demoninator is that they care and want to take action.  The deadline to apply is February 10.  Get all the details here.