The League of Women Voters of Humboldt County supports public participation in government as a civic right and responsibility that makes government work effectively.
Position In Brief:
All governmental bodies and organizations should:
1. Before meetings: Facilitate equitable access to current, fact-based information about all public meetings open or closed. This shall include all information about the meetings, agendas, and reports. This information should be made accessible to the public with reasonably sufficient time for citizen response and/or input.
2. Ensure that equitable opportunities exist for public input from multiple platforms (written, phone, in-person, on-line, including emerging technologies) and provide ample opportunities for citizens to participate in the civic process. Encourage wider access to meetings by utilizing school and library spaces, as well as existing cable and phone lines.
3. Ensure that sufficient input from citizens is allowed at public meetings and recorded in the minutes and that the dignity of all participants in maintained.
4. During/After meetings: Comply with state and local laws regarding the recording of public input at meetings and the availability of public meeting minutes and recordings. Minutes should provide a complete summary of the topics covered. Equitable access to all must be assured, regardless of location, especially in rural areas.
5. Ensure transparency for citizens about all policies, practices, and decisions of the organization.
6. Conduct regular and consistent evaluations of civic engagement processes utilized in the gathering of public input and make these available to the public in order to improve citizen participation. Ensure that all meetings are open to the public and that they follow best practices procedures.
2. Ensure that equitable opportunities exist for public input from multiple platforms (written, phone, in-person, on-line, including emerging technologies) and provide ample opportunities for citizens to participate in the civic process. Encourage wider access to meetings by utilizing school and library spaces, as well as existing cable and phone lines.
3. Ensure that sufficient input from citizens is allowed at public meetings and recorded in the minutes and that the dignity of all participants in maintained.
4. During/After meetings: Comply with state and local laws regarding the recording of public input at meetings and the availability of public meeting minutes and recordings. Minutes should provide a complete summary of the topics covered. Equitable access to all must be assured, regardless of location, especially in rural areas.
5. Ensure transparency for citizens about all policies, practices, and decisions of the organization.
6. Conduct regular and consistent evaluations of civic engagement processes utilized in the gathering of public input and make these available to the public in order to improve citizen participation. Ensure that all meetings are open to the public and that they follow best practices procedures.
7. Encourage active participation on commissions, boards, and public agencies.
8. Encourage accessibility for citizens with special needs, such as deafness/limited hearing, speech, vision, or mobility challenges.
Issues:
League to which this content belongs:
Humboldt County