So You Have Something to Say? Public Meeting Comments 101
Police reform, racial equity, city zoning, budget cuts, school plans for fall. These are just a few of the issues on our minds these days. We have elected officials who make decisions and law around these issues, but it is our right and our civic duty to share our viewpoints and knowledge with those officials. Providing a comment at a public meeting is one way to participate. If you have not attended a public meeting, let alone provided a public comment, it might be intimidating. Here are some tips on how to prepare and what to expect.
Tip 1: Do The Prep Work
View city, county or governing body’s calendar to find the meeting you want to attend, what time it starts, and how long it is expected to last. You can review the meeting’s agenda to see what topics will be discussed and what agenda number has been assigned to your topic. You will also find links to upcoming meetings and recordings of past meetings. Finally, you will be able to see if you need to sign up in advance to speak on an agenda item, or if they will call for comments at a certain time so you will know what to expect before you log-in, since all public meetings are online right now.
Tip 2: Know Your Technology
Right now Zoom is the most commonly used tool for public meetings. It’s simple to download to your phone or computer, and joining a meeting is as easy as clicking the link from the governing website. When you join a Zoom meeting, you can choose to show your face or just use audio. You will also have the option of calling in with your phone if you’d prefer. Whichever option you choose, remember to use the mute button. Some meetings will mute all the participants, but it is always best practice to mute yourself. This practice guarantees you’re not accidentally sharing your side conversations or reactions, and that you’re demonstrating respect to other community members and their time.
Tip 3: Stay On Topic
Meetings have time limits to help make sure everyone who wants to make a statement is able to do so, so it’s important to prepare what you’re going to say in advance so not a second of your time is wasted. You should direct your comments to the group sponsoring the meeting, not neighbors who you may disagree with (because we may not always agree but we can always work to understand). Your feelings, personal story, and/or research should focus on your topic.
Tip 4: Be Patient
Meetings can sometimes last for hours, and it may not seem like every topic is relevant to you, but you may be surprised by what you learn if you are present for the whole meeting (I know I have been)! Having the patience to engage the whole time can help us connect the dots between what’s going on now, and where we are headed as a community. Also, if you aren’t able to be present at the start of a meeting, you always have the option of joining the meeting closer to when your agenda item is scheduled or reaching out after the meeting.
Tip 5: Take Available Opportunities To Connect
Public meetings are a place to share your opinion as much as it is a place to learn and connect with others. No meeting exists in a vacuum and we can still connect remotely. Zoom meetings all include a chat box where you can share information with the whole group, as well as reach out to individual attendees to connect. Additionally, if after a meeting you still have thoughts, questions, or want to engage in a dialogue with one of the group members, you are always able to email or call later. Engagement is a process, not a destination.
Public meetings combine a group of people who care deeply about their community, and that truly is a beautiful thing. We all need to work together to create the community we envision for ourselves and our future. Taking action in public meetings is just one way to use your power!
Quick links to get you started
City of Everett Agenda Center
Snohomish County Council Meetings and Webcasts
Port of Everett Meetings and Minutes
Everett Public Schools School Board
Mukilteo School District School Board
Angela Di Filippo currently works in State Social Services and recently earned her Masters in Industrial/Organizational Psychology with extensive training in evidence-based leadership coaching. Angela moved from North Carolina to Washington 6 years ago and has proudly called Everett her home for 5 of those years. When not helping others solve problems in creative and strength-driven ways, Angela enjoys her time painting, hiking with her terrier-mix, Indy, and eating waffles.
