Observer Corps
What is the Observer Corps? The Observer Corps consists of League of Women Voters members who regularly attend the meetings of a specific public body, such as a city council, board of education or elections, or any other board or commission in the region. The League of Women Voters has been champion of government transparency since its founding in 1920, and the Observer Corps is our primary means of assuring that the public’s right to know is being protected.
Who can be an observer? Any LWVLCF member may become an observer. Members can go to meetings on their own or with another observer and may attend meetings virtually if that option is available.
What do observers do? Observers attend meetings and pay attention to what happens – both the issues being discussed and how they are being discussed and acted on. Observers are especially alert to signs that decisions are being made in a “nontransparent” way, i.e., outside of the meeting, without appropriate notice to the public, to the surprise of participating officials, in the absence of important information or elected officials, etc. Any concerns that an observer has should be raised to the Observer Corps team leader or to the LWVLCF Board for further discussion and action planning.
What should observers NOT do? The Observer Corps is not a vehicle for LWVLCF members to work personal or partisan agendas. When attending a meeting, observers refrain in all ways from providing commentary or testimony on behalf of themselves or LWVLCF. An observer’s sole purpose is to monitor the proceedings and gather information.
How to be a good observer:
How does one become an Observer Corps member? Email communications [email protected] to express your interest. Your name will be forwarded to the Observer Corps team leader who will contact you to discuss the role, answer any questions, and set up a mutually convenient and brief training session. The Observer Corps team leader might suggest meetings for you to attend or you can identify the meetings that best align with your interests.
Who can be an observer? Any LWVLCF member may become an observer. Members can go to meetings on their own or with another observer and may attend meetings virtually if that option is available.
What do observers do? Observers attend meetings and pay attention to what happens – both the issues being discussed and how they are being discussed and acted on. Observers are especially alert to signs that decisions are being made in a “nontransparent” way, i.e., outside of the meeting, without appropriate notice to the public, to the surprise of participating officials, in the absence of important information or elected officials, etc. Any concerns that an observer has should be raised to the Observer Corps team leader or to the LWVLCF Board for further discussion and action planning.
What should observers NOT do? The Observer Corps is not a vehicle for LWVLCF members to work personal or partisan agendas. When attending a meeting, observers refrain in all ways from providing commentary or testimony on behalf of themselves or LWVLCF. An observer’s sole purpose is to monitor the proceedings and gather information.
How to be a good observer:
- When observing in person, arrive early enough to check in if required and find a seat. Wear a League badge or shirt and introduce yourself to the chair of the board or council the first time you are attending (If you plan to observe virtually, send an email to the chairperson ahead of the meeting explaining that you will be a regular attendee and what your role will be).
- Be a good listener and evaluate the proceedings in a fair way. Be discreet and courteous.
- Develop an informal understanding of some of the issues important to LWVLCF.
- Keep private your personal opinions about the issues being discussed.
- Decline to speak to others, especially reporters, about League positions. If asked about your role you can say that you represent LWVLCF and that “the League supports transparency in government; observing this meeting is one way we support this principle.”
- Share any concerns you have about the meeting with the Observer Corps team leader or LWVLCF Board.
How does one become an Observer Corps member? Email communications [email protected] to express your interest. Your name will be forwarded to the Observer Corps team leader who will contact you to discuss the role, answer any questions, and set up a mutually convenient and brief training session. The Observer Corps team leader might suggest meetings for you to attend or you can identify the meetings that best align with your interests.