1. The first reason for observing public meetings is to watch their general operations. What issues are being discussed and how is the meeting being conducted? Does the agency comply with the open meeting laws? The "LWVO Observer Report" gives you a quick checklist for what to look for.
2. The second reason for observing public meetings is to watch for issues on which the League should be taking action - speaking out. There is no checklist for this item. If an item that is being discussed riles you up - either positively or negatively - then mention it. We'll look into it and see whether it's something that the League should be speaking out on. If you think something is urgent, then call until you reach someone.
3. Finally, and maybe most importantly, observing makes a statement that the community is watching the process of government. The League observer is the representative of the public at these meetings.
What to do when you observe:
Go to the meeting, wearing your League of Women Voters button. Get a copy of the agenda (if possible, check whether it is available in advance online) and any other reports that are available. You don't have to read them all! You may not speak for the League at the meeting. Outside of the meeting you can ask questions of staff and officials.
If you can't be at the meeting in person, then watch it on TV. While the officials may not see you, you can still monitor the meeting.
As the meeting progresses, fill out the "LWVO Observer Report". Click here to get a copy
After the meeting is over, send your report, along with the agenda for the meeting to the League office, 1305 Franklin St., Suite 311, Oakland, CA 94162-3222
Resources for observers:
Observing Your Government in Action: Protecting Your Right to Know, League of Women Voters, 2007, pub #2080, also available on the website for download: http://www.lwv.org
League positions (if you'd like copies of these, let us know - we'll get them for you):
National (LWVUS) - http://www.lwv.org
State (LWV California) - http://www.ca.lwv.org
Regional (LWV Bay Area) - http://www.lwvba.ca.lwvnet.org
Local (LWV Oakland) - http://www.lwvoakland.org
People:
Observer Coordinator - Sandra Coleman, 510 451-6796, sandra@mbcarch.com
Action Chair - Judi Bank, 510 531-5449, judibank@aol.com
President - Helen Hutchison, 510 654-2216, helen@helenhutch.com
WHAT AGENCIES TO OBSERVE?
CITY OF OAKLAND
Oakland City Council
Oakland School Board
Oakland City Council Committees:
Rules Committee
Public Works
Finance and Management
Community & Economic Development
Life Enrichment
Public Safety
Oakland City Boards, Committees and Commissions:
Planning Commission
Port Commission Board
Budget Advisory Commission
Children's Fund Planning and Oversight
Citizen's Police Review Board
Housing, Residential Rent and Relocation Board
Oakland Housing Authority
Measure Y Oversight Committee
Public Ethics Commissions
These are just a few of the boards, committees and commissions - if you are interested in something else, we can find it for you.
REGIONAL AGENCIES
Observers for these agencies report to LWV Bay Area rather than to LWV Oakland. If you go to at least one meeting a month and report to LWV Bay Area, LWV Oakland will be paid $25 for each month that you observe. Contact the LWV Bay Area office for more information about which agencies need observers at the current time, (510) 839-1608 or editor@bayareamonitor.org.
AC Transit (meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m. at 1600 Franklin St. in Oakland)
Bay Area Air Quality Management District (meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at 9:45 a.m. at 939 Ellis St. in San Francisco)
East Bay Municipal Utility District (meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 1:15 p.m. at 375 11th St. in Oakland)
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (meets on the final Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. at 101 Eighth St. in Oakland)
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League of Women Voters of Oakland, California. All rights reserved.
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