Reno community organizations run the gamut of just about every group or gathering you can imagine. Many of them are the traditional organizations that you might imagine, such as the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Lions, Kiwanis, Elks and more. These groups aren't hard to find, and many meet on a regular basis either at their own properties or for luncheons at one of the resort restaurants. Other community organizations are specific to the Truckee Meadows. They might be centered around a specific event such as the Air Races or the Reno Rodeo. Or they could be organized around a local theme such as the conservation group Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful. Most of the Reno civic organizations exist to benefit or add to the overall community. Some of the groups have membership requirements, but most are open to anyone who is interested and willing to devote a certain amount of time to attend meetings and gatherings. Many of the organizations are economic in nature, and these have become a bit more high-profile as the commerce of the area has expanded beyond gaming and tourism. Others have to do with education, both the public school system of the Washoe County School District and the post-secondary institutions such as the Truckee Meadows Community College and the University of Nevada.
Ethnic Reno Community Organizations
A good number of the Reno community organizations are also centered around heritage and ethnicity. Reno boasts a diverse population, and there are groups here that honor and celebrate such backgrounds as Native American, Irish, Italian, Basque, Greek, Jewish, Russian and more. Some of these organizations have local community centers, while others host annual events celebrating their history and traditions.
Reno Government Organizations
The Biggest Little City serves as the county seat for Nevada's Washoe County, and many of the Reno government organizations are those at either the city or the county level. But as the largest community in Northern Nevada, there are also a number of state- and federal-level government organizations here, even though the state capital of Carson City sits just half an hour to the south. Reno government organizations that one might have to deal with can include commerce, construction, education or the environment. The physical offices and contacts for most of these will be found in the central area of Reno or in the industrial and business area of Sparks. For a number of reasons, not the least of which is the concentration of medical facilities and providers in the area, many of the Reno government organizations are concerned with the issue of United States military veterans affairs. The fact that the University of Nevada, Reno, is here also makes it convenient for many of the state's offices of higher education to have locations in the area. The building boom that the region is experiencing in practically all areas of the community has brought a new level of prominence to the government organizations that deal with the construction trades.
Reno City Government Organizations
The Reno government organizations that exist at the city level include the city offices of both Reno and Sparks. Reno's city government is located downtown near the river and the iconic arch. The Sparks city hall is on Prater Way, not far from the Victorian Avenue area that helps define so much of the city's culture and atmosphere.
