"I am excited to be the guest Instagrammer (is that word?) for the week of 12/29", wrote Ashland resident Rhonda Toussaint in her first post for the "I Love Ashland" Instagram account (@iloveashlandva). Toussaint is the eighth week-long host of the new, revolving social media account designed to share fresh perspectives on life in Ashland. Previous hosts have shared photos ranging from a night on the town at the newly reopened Ashland Theater to quiet moments with a book or a beautiful Virginia sunset-- and it's only one way local residents are getting involved in our community.
For Toussaint, getting involved also means participating in the town's first citizen academy. Started in the fall of 2014, the Ashland Citizen Leadership Academy is a monthly series of seminars that gives a behind-the-scenes look of how the town operates and prepares participants for public service, should they decide to seek an appointment.
Still other residents are serving on town boards, providing invocations for council meetings, attending or watching town meetings online, sharing their opinions with the town council and staff, meeting local police officers at Coffee with a Cop events, or volunteering with one of the great local nonprofits that benefit our residents, our pets, our businesses, and our environment.
There are so many ways to get involved, whatever your interests, your schedule or your expertise, and the town needs your help! Learn more about what you can do to get involved at the link below and resolve to be active in your community in 2015.