Empowering Community Through Free, Engaging Workshops
CommUniversity is an ongoing series of free workshops designed for Apex community members, aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of local amenities and services. Held regularly throughout the year, each session focuses on a specific topic.
This series offers a valuable opportunity for education, skill-building, and resource sharing. It fosters stronger connections between residents, town staff, neighborhood groups, and local businesses. CommUniversity encourages personal growth, community engagement, and collaboration—all with the goal of building a more cohesive and informed Apex community.
Past workshops have included:
Community Safety: A Collaborative Approach to Public Safety
Transforming Conflict into Collaboration
Crafting Messages that Matter
Upcoming Sessions
More opportunities await in 2025! Stay tuned to www.apexnc.org/CommU for more details, and to register for upcoming sessions.
Starting Your Neighborhood Association (June 26)
Building a sustainable and resilient neighborhood begins with fostering a sense of community. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by creating and maintaining an active neighborhood association. This group of committed neighbors collaborates to tackle challenges, share ideas, and strengthen connections, helping to create a more vibrant and supportive community.
Writing Your Neighborhood History (July 24)
Neighborhoods across Apex are all unique and special in their own ways. Honoring and understanding the history of these neighborhoods helps us appreciate their value, strengthens community connections, and guides the future of our town. Learning about your neighborhood’s history fosters pride both locally and town-wide.
Exploring a neighborhood’s roots is also a fun way to discover interesting facts and stories. This interactive workshop will give attendees the tools and guidance needed to begin writing the history and profile of their neighborhood.
Asset Mapping 101 (August 21)
Every neighborhood has talents, strengths, unique qualities, and valuable resources — sometimes we just need the right tools to uncover them. This interactive workshop introduces attendees to the fundamentals of asset-based community development. Through hands-on activities and guided discussions, participants will explore, identify, and map the assets that already exist within their neighborhood or organization. Come learn how to shift the focus from what’s missing to what’s impactful and already working — and how to build on those strengths to support lasting, community-led change.
Engaging Next Generation Leadership (September 18)
The future of our communities depends on the tools we provide to the next generation — and on the leadership we cultivate today. Engaging Next Generation Leadership is an interactive workshop designed to help neighborhoods and organizations connect with and hear directly from the next generation of community leaders. This training also equips attendees with strategies to recruit and engage new volunteers by focusing on the values and characteristics that define emerging leaders. Learn how to align your organization’s goals with the passions and priorities of future changemakers to strengthen both engagement and impact.
How to Be a Welcoming Community (October 23)
Together, welcoming spaces are made possible through welcoming neighborhoods, leaders, businesses, and organizations. Being truly “welcoming” is about being intentional with the practices and norms that allow residents to take pride in their community. Join us for an interactive workshop designed to help neighborhoods and organizations create more inclusive and welcoming spaces for everyone who calls Apex home. This workshop offers participants the opportunity to explore strategies for fostering connection, building trust, and promoting a deep sense of belonging for all.
Planning Ahead (November 20)
Is your neighborhood or organization prepared for the upcoming year? Join us for an interactive workshop where attendees will learn how to plan ahead and set their community up for success. Whether you’re looking to build new programs, create opportunities to strengthen connections, or improve your planning and organizational strategies, this workshop will guide you through the process of thoughtful planning and intentional action, all geared toward preparation for the upcoming year!
More from Community Engagement
Interested in staying informed about upcoming CommUniversity events? Visit www.apexnc.org/CommU. While you’re there, explore other Building Blocks programs and trainings that support inclusive resident engagement, leadership development, community empowerment, and meaningful two-way dialogue between neighborhoods and the Town.
