Local Government Observers

Note: The League keeps up with local government, even when the news media ignores it. More observers are needed. Contact Cheryl Budzinski (c_budzinski@hotmail.com) or Neta Volz (ofvolz@comcast.net) to get involved.

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For a League to be effective in a community it must promote the understanding how the local government works. Local League observers are the eyes and ears of the League, learning how government works and about issues that are or may become items for local study and action. Consistent League presence at these meetings can add to the League's visibility and credibility.

The Open Meetings Law ensures "the right of all citizens to have advance notice of and to attend all meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting the public is discussed or acted upon, with certain limited exceptions to protect the public interest and preserve personal privacy." Consistent with this purpose, the general requirement of the law is that "all meetings of public bodies shall be open to the public at all times."

LWV observers are exercising that recognized right to be present at any public meeting.

• The Observer Reports come from volunteer observers who are members of the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria (LWVGP). The reports are presented here as a public service. They are in no way "official," but are intended solely as an informal means of enabling citizens to monitor the meetings of local government bodies. Every effort has been made to make these reports accurate. However, like all materials of this nature, they are subject to human error.

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Any League member can join the LOGO group to report on local government. You can select the local government group of your choice, and attend meetings regularly. LOGO members meet monthly over brown bag lunches to discuss their observations. Your are not required to attend the brown bag discussion meetings. You can fill out a form after attending a local government meeting, and send it to the LOGO group.

Contact Cheryl Budzinski, c_budzinski@hotmail.com for more information on how to get involved in LOGO.

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MISSION

Informed and active participation of citizens in government, increased understanding of major public policy issues, and influencing public policy through education and advocacy is an important part of many organizations. An Observer Corps helps meet that mission. By regularly attending public meetings of local governmental agencies, the Observer Corps' members keep elected officials aware of the organization's interest in local government and helps all the organization's members be better informed citizens through the reports on those meetings.

OBJECTIVES

To monitor governmental bodies for information of importance to the League and the community/state.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attend assigned meetings, arriving promptly.

• Take notes/fill out observer form.

• Report to the board.

• Advise the board of opportunities for action on League positions.

Some of the things Observers notice:

• An agency's website(s) should list the current board members; information on the public meetings including dates, times and locations; and minutes of previous meetings; and ways to contact the agency.