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Public Meetings

There are nearly 90,000 local governments across the United States. Counties, municipalities, townships, special districts, and independent school districts each require local governance of activities and associated finances. State governments, commissions, and boards present another layer of public meetings, comment periods, and opportunities for participation.

These local governments, and the public meetings associated with their work, are ground-level opportunities to participate in civic processes.

Civil stewards understand the importance and power of public meetings and defend people’s rights to participate in civic processes.

What You Can Do

Learn what your local government consists of and what opportunities exist to attend public meetings. Even if you don’t attend regularly, try attending one meeting so you get an idea of what the experience and process looks like. Pay attention to meeting minutes and participate when you have experience or perspective that you want to contribute to the process. Studies show that the more well attended public meetings are, the more effective the governance, because it’s happening with the supervision and input of the public.

Meeting Business

Most public meetings consist of procedures, agendas, and minutes. Get familiar with the specific procedures of your local governments. Understanding what’s happening is the first step in participating.

Rights & Access

Most states have specific laws and rules guiding the level of access that members of the public are entitled to. Municipalities might also have additional rules. Familiarize yourself with your rights as an attendee of public meetings in your state, county, and municipality..

Documentation & Reporting

Meeting minutes, public note-taking, and journalism about the business addressed in public meetings, the way the meeting functioned, and what issues were raised, addressed, or tabled are critical components of holding local governments accountable and ensuring a public record.

Readings & Resources

Institutions & Organizations

Documenters

International City Management Association

Institute for Local Government

National Civic League

National League of Cities

Books

The Art of Gathering

Public Meetings and How to Conduct Them

Successful Public Meetings

Who are These People and Why are They Yelling at me?