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What is the Observer Corps?

LWV Observer programs ensure that citizens are aware of the decisions that impact their communities and promote government transparency and accountability.  They keep elected and appointed officials on notice that someone is watching what decisions are being made and how they are being made.

Observers attend governmental meetings, note what happens at the meeting and report back to the League.  Observers monitor both the issues being discussed, especially issues that are League priorities, as well as how they are being discussed and acted on.  While not every item up for discussion will relate to a League’s priorities, ensuring conformance with California’s open meeting law, the Brown Act, always provides important oversight.

Observers learn more about what their governments are doing as well as about the issues facing their communities.  Observer programs are not vehicles for individuals to work personal or partisan agenda.  Observers generally do not “act” on issues or share their personal opinions on issues in these meetings.  If an Observer flags an issue requiring League action, the Board or President responds.

Observer Reports are posted on the League website where members can read them and apply the information to their League work.

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What Makes a Good Observer? 

Serving as an observer is something that anyone can do. It is an opportunity for new or less active members to contribute to the organization’s work. It might be something that would appeal to students or new residents who are trying to learn more about their new community, or to recent retirees who have new-found free time and more flexible schedules.

• Good listeners and able to summarize and “interpret” proceedings in a fair way;
• Interested in local government and/or issues being discussed by the governmental body that they are observing;
• Able to serve as an “ambassador” for the organization (e.g., talking about the organization with other attendees at a meeting);
• Discreet and courteous;
• Not working a personal or partisan agenda while serving as a League observer.

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Observer Resources

• Guidelines for Observer Corps
• Writing an Observer Report
• Brown Act Summary
• March 30, 2019 observer training report 

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Observer Reports

See reports below under "All Posts Related to this Committee."

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