Observer Corps

Making Democracy Work Requires Citizens' Attention.  Observation Corps Reporting Form.  The League of Women Voters of Nashville Observer Corps.  Opportunities for Observer Corps.  Current Observer Reports.

Making Democracy Work Requires Citizens' Attention

The League of Women Voters of Nashville (LWVN) is revitalizing its Observer Corps--a group of League members who attend governmental meetings, note what happens, and report back to the League and community. In the past, LWVN has been a trusted source of consistent, unbiased information for our community on the proceedings of local government. Coupled with the League's history of researching issues from all perspectives, educating members, and then formulating national member consensus, observer programs become an exercise in deliberative democracy. Observing governmental processes and reporting about them in an unbiased manner helps to foster confidence in government and allow the broader community to understand what and why action is suggested or taken.

The League feels that providing information aids members and the community in their decision making. Stanford University Professor James Fishkin has applied deliberative-democracy processes over several continents and finds that when "the actual public . . . is given something more than sound bites and distorted political messaging . . . [that is] real choices and real consequences, they will make real decisions."

The Observer Corps works hand in hand with sunshine or public access laws that codify our rights to federal government information and decision making and have been adopted by all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Sunshine or openness in government refers to two distinct areas: access to public records and access to public meetings. In general, such laws require that all records and meetings are open unless certain specified exemptions apply, such as matters of national security.

Observer programs are a structured way for individuals to exercise their right to know. By attending public meetings of local governmental bodies and agencies, observers learn more about what their government is doing. They learn about the issues facing their community and are empowered to take action, if warranted. They also learn how issues are being addressed. Through the process, their presence encourages more transparent and accountable government. Observer programs benefit the community by:

• Creating a civically engaged and empowered cadre of citizens
• Connecting individuals with government
• Promoting open, transparent, and accountable government
• Connecting elected and appointed officials with their constituents

When the League acts as an observer and reports government plans and action to the community, we can all better engage in our government--a government "of the people, by the people, for the people" (President Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address). We can better ensure a government existing for our benefit and accountable to us. For more information, contact Barbara Gay at 297-4145 (Barbara.b.gay@gmail.com).

Observation Corps Reporting Form

Thank you in advance for your participation.

NEW! - Fill out your Observer Corp form using this Survey Monkey link: Click Here

Then PLEASE email the LWV Nashville lwvnash@gmail.com office to notify us that you have completed a form so that we may retrieve your submission. The Survey Monkey form is submitted automatically--we just need a heads up to know that it is in the queue.

or

You may click here then print out the form: Observer Reporting Form LWV Nashville Observer Corps Reporting Procedure

• Notification of an automatically completed Survey Monkey form should be e-mailed to lwvnashville@gmail.com within 5 days of your observation meeting or if you print the form, mailed to the Observer Corps Committee Chair, Barbara Gay (barbara.b.gay@gmail.com OR 3910 General Bates Drive, Nashville, TN 37204).

• Report any urgent matter to the Observer Corps Committee Chair (barbara.b.gay@gmail.com) or the LWV President (GJoSinger@aol.com) immediately (example: an action in direct opposition to the League positions).

• If the information relates to items of importance to the League, please furnish the Observer Corps Chair (barbara.b.gay@gmail.com) with a copy of the agenda, handouts, or other material collected at the meeting.

• Any additional information or comments can be written on the back of the form (if handwritten) or added to an e-mail message.

• Each observer should retain a copy of any reports and attachments submitted to the Observer Corps Committee.

The League of Women Voters of Nashville Observer Corps

Protecting our right to know is integral to the health of our democracy. Decisions that determine how our schools will be run, at what level community safety programs will be funded, and how land in our towns will be used form the building blocks of our society. They need to be made with public input and oversight. One way to ensure our right to know is by observing government meetings. League of Women Voters Observer Corps are not new. Many Leagues across the country have had monitoring programs in place for decades. The League of Women Voters of Nashville (LWVN) is reviving its program in our community.

GOALS
1. Observer Corps is a way for LWVN members to exercise their right to know.
2. Observer Corps members provide a valuable service to the community.
3. Observer Corps members gather information about decisions that impact lives in our community.
4. Observer Corps members promote government transparency and accountability.
5. Observer Corps members document their observations to help LWVN Board members develop an agenda for action.

LWVN OBSERVERS ARE

• Good listeners and are able to summarize and interpret proceedings.
• Interested in the local and state government issues being discussed.
• Able to serve as an ambassador of their League.
• Discrete and courteous.

LWVN OBSERVER CORPS MEMBERS

• Attend a governmental meeting.
• Note what is happening at the meeting.
• Learn what issues are facing the community and how their government is responding.
• Report back to the League and the community.
• Help empower the League to take action if advised.

LWVN OBSERVERS DO NOT

• Work personal or partisan agendas.
• Act on issues during these meetings.
• Provide testimony on issues on behalf of the League.

LWVN OBSERVER CORPS MEMBER BENEFITS

• Being in touch with what is happening in our community.
• Learning about issues and processes impacting our community.
• Networking at meetings--some observers may be asked to join boards.
• Providing a community service against loss, waste, and undesirable practices.

Opportunities for Observer Corps

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, BOARDS, AND COMMISSIONS

The Metropolitan Council meets regularly on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are open to the public and are held in the Metro Courthouse, One Public Square. Meetings on the first Tuesday of odd numbered months begin at 6:00 p.m. and are reserved for public hearings on zoning matters. You can get the agenda in your email. Regular meetings are televised and broadcast live on the Government Access Channel Comcast Cable Channel 3.

Meetings of the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Board of Education are held in the Administration Building Board Room, 2601 Bransford Ave., at 5:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. These meetings are also televised on Metro Channel 3.

The Davidson County Elections Commission holds meetings at 3:00 p.m. at the Election Commission Conference Room, 1st Floor, Metro Office Building, 800 2nd Avenue South. The date and time of the next meeting is set at the end of each meeting.

There are 58 Boards and Commissions. Information about their meetings and agendas is available at four web sites:

• Public Meetings and Agendas: http://www.nashville.gov/calen/
• Election Commission Meetings and Agendas: http://www.nashville.gov/vote/commission/meetings.asp
• List of Boards and Commissions: http://www.nashville.gov/mc/boards/index.htm
• List of Board and Commission Meeting Times: http://www.nashville.gov/mc/boards/meetinginfo.htm

Besides the Metro Council, School Board, and Election Commission, the following boards and commissions are frequently observed:

• Board of Health meets the first Thursday of the month at 4:00 p.m. at Lentz Health Center, Room 212, 311 23rd Avenue North, 615-340-5693.
• Planning Commission meets the second and fourth Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. at 1417 Murfreesboro Pike.
• Board of Parks and Recreation meets the first Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Parks Board Room, in Centennial Park.
• Traffic and Parking Commission meets the second Monday at 3:00 p.m. at 1417 Murfreesboro Pike.

Current Observer Reports

Please click on the title of a report to read full Form:

Hate Crimes Forum Report 1/26/12

Davidson Co. Election Commission 2/2/12

House Education Subcommittee 11/1/11

Davidson Co. Election Commission 10/26/11

House Subcommittee on Conservation and Environment 4/12/11

House Education Committee 4/12/11

MNPS Board Meeting 4/12/11

House Finance Committee 4/5/11

House Finance Committee 3/29/11

Senate State and Local Gov. Committee 3/8/11

Exchange Coalition Meeting Notes 3/4/11

Metro Health Board 3/3/11

State of School Address 3/3/11

TDEC 2/22/11 This was an opportunity for members to participate, not only Observe.

Metro Health Board 2/3/11

• Board of Health Meeting agenda 2/3/11
• Metro Health Board Minutes 2/3/11

Finance Committee of the Metro Council 1/18/11

MNPS School Board Meeting

Election Commission 1/11/11

Metro Health Board 1/6/11

• Metro Health Board Minutes 1/6/11

Metro Health Board 12/02/10

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: February 20, 2012 09:54 PST.

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