The Assembly meets about once a week from March 14 to May 14, 2026, on five Saturdays and four Thursday evenings.

All events will be on the campus of the University of Akron.

• Opening Ceremony: Friday, March 13 from 4:30 to 6pm

• Saturday, March 14 — 10am to 5pm

• Thursday, March 19 — 6 to 8pm

• Saturday, March 28 — 10am to 5pm

• Saturday, April 11 — 10am to 5pm

• Thursday, April 16 — 6 to 8pm

• Saturday, April 25 — 10am to 5 pm

• Thursday, April 30 — 6 to 8pm

• Saturday, May 9 — 10am to 5pm

• Thursday, May 14 — 6 to 8pm

• Closing Ceremony: Thursday, May 21 from 6 to 8pm

You can expect most sessions to look pretty similar, though the content will be different each time. 

THURSDAYS

On Thursdays, you can expect:

• Dinner and opening remarks

• Small group deliberations with learning materials presented in a binder and on video

  • You’ll cover 1-2 topics

• Dedicated time to complete your “Delegate Record,” which is the way your ideas, votes, and notes will be tracked

• Final closing remarks

Here’s what an example session schedule might look like for a Thursday:

• 6:00 pm - Dinner, Welcome, and Opening Remarks

• 6:30 pm - Small Group Session (including Learning Video and Information Packet Review)

• 7:50 pm - Closing 

SATURDAYS

On most Saturdays, you can expect:

• Breakfast and opening remarks

• A 50-minute lunch break 

  • This will typically be from 12:30 to 1:20 p.m.

  • Lunch is provided and will be ordered and labeled based on your dietary needs

• Small group deliberations with learning materials presented in a binder and on video

• Three additional breaks throughout the day

  • These will be about 10 minutes each

  • Drinks and snacks will be available 

  • They will generally around 11:30 am, 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm

• Dedicated time to complete your “Delegate Record,” which is the way your ideas, votes, and notes will be tracked

• Final closing remarks

Here’s what an example session schedule might look like for a Saturday:

• 10:00 am - Breakfast, Welcome, and Opening Remarks

• 10:20 am - First Small Group Session

• 11:20 am - Break (10 min break)

• 11:30 am - Second Small Group Session

• 12:30 pm - Lunch (50 mins)

• 1:20 pm - Third Small Group Session

• 2:20 pm - Break (10 min break)

• 2:30 pm - Fourth Small Group Session 

• 3:30 pm - Break (10 min break)

• 3:40 pm - Fifth Small Group Session

• 4:40 pm - Closing

Here's what to expect on the night:

• Giveaways and snacks

• Live music 

• A ceremony with fellow community members, local leaders, and elected officials to officially kick off Akron's first Civic Assembly — and your important role in it!

And here are some more logistics and details:

Date: Friday, March 13th

Location: James A. Rhodes Arena (also called "The JAR"), University of Akron, 373 Carroll St in Akron

Timing: Doors open at 4:30 PM and the program is from 5:15 - 6:00 PM

Parking is available in university Lots 1, 2, and 8. No payment for parking will be required for you. Handicapped parking is available directly outside the JAR Arena doors.

When you enter, you'll spot the Unify Akron Welcome Crew (in teal t-shirts), who will get you checked in. Volunteer ushers will guide you to your seats through the second-floor entrance. Elevator access and seats requiring no stairs are available.

Serving as a Delegate or an Alternate is a real civic commitment, and your time is valuable.

• Delegates who complete their service will receive a $1,000 stipend.

• Alternates will receive a $160 stipend for attending the March 14 orientation.

  • If you are called up to serve as a full Delegate, you will receive the remaining $840, for a total of $1,000.

Payment is provided after completion of your service.

Unify Akron offers payment via PayPal or check.

The Civic Concierge Team is committed to making participation accessible so you can fully participate. Please let the Team know if you need:

• Family care

• Transportation

• ADA accommodations

• Language interpretation

• Dietary accommodations

• Other accessibility support

Because this is a small, randomly selected group, your attendance matters. Delegates are asked to commit to attending all sessions.

If an emergency comes up, contact your Civic Concierge as soon as possible so we can plan accordingly.

Delegates may miss up to two sessions to qualify for the stipend.

No. You were selected because you are an Akron resident — not because you’re an expert.

As a Delegate, you will:

• Learn about Akron’s housing challenges

• Discuss trade-offs behind possible solutions

• Work with other Delegates to develop practical recommendations

Your experience and perspective are what matter most. At the end of the Assembly, your recommendations will be formally presented to city leaders.

Yes. The Civic Assembly was created in partnership with the City of Akron. Leaders have committed to reviewing and publicly responding to the Assembly’s final recommendations. This process is designed to lead to real results, not just conversation.

Read the memorandum of understanding with the City of Akron and the unanimously supported resolution from Akron City Council.

Your Civic Concierge Team is your go-to contact for:

• Scheduling

• Transportation

• Family care

• Payment

• Accessibility

• General questions

dreama@unifyakron.org

(330) 203-1622