Our League has begun a pilot process to energize, grow and sustain our Observer Corp Program! An Observer Corps is a “watchdog” service to our community that helps foster transparency and accountability of government entities. Our Pilot Crew is now ready to involve members who may be interested in serving as an Observer, so this is where you come in!
This pilot process is designed around a monthly one hour Zoom call that will facilitate bringing new observers on board, learning from experienced observers, and deciding together how and when to provide information about governmental organizations’ actions and policies to our league board, members and the community. The pilot will also explore how leadership of the observer or monitoring corps will be shared ongoing.
The Pilot Crew currently includes Carol Kerestes, Diana Hauman, Phylis VerSteegh, Faith Russell and Janine Toth, facilitating.
Interested in joining? Please send an email to Janine Toth at
info@lwvmclean.org.
Some Background
Historically, many Leagues around the nation, including the LWV of McLean County, have had members who serve on an Observer Corps.
An Observer Corps is a “watchdog” service to our community that helps foster transparency and accountability, and that issues and decisions are out in the open. These members observe governmental entities and track the actions of county and school boards, city councils, library boards and appointed commissions among others. The presence of league members at these public meetings lets our elected officials know that we care about what happens and are interested in good governance.
Observers work quietly in the background until something happens that the league or the community has a specific interest in. Then our League board may decide to become more involved.
Goals
The goals of the Observer Re-visioning pilot are to launch a workable, useful and sustainable process for bringing new observers on board, deciding together how and when to provide information about governmental entities and policies to our League board, members and the community, and how leadership of the Observer Core going forward will be determined.
Joining Observing and Advocacy
In March we will begin to pilot – learn, test out and practice-- an approach to observing that focuses on the issues the league board will have identified as important to monitor and report on to the board, and possibly to the community. Issues may include access to education, housing, mental health, safety, public health, transportation, voting, immigration, land use, transportation, and taxing plans. More guidance from the board will be forthcoming.
This approach includes more direct engagement with elected and appointed officials, such as twice a year in-person check-ins on our League areas of interest. It is through this focus that the work is woven into our Advocacy role in making a difference in our communities. Faith Russell, Issues and Advocacy director, will be instrumental in guiding our advocacy actions. This approach has advantages such as raising the visibility of the League in our community and filling some gaps when news outlets are often stretched too thin to report on local issues.
Continuous Learning for New and Experienced Observers
Our pilot will include a process of continuous learning and growth for all observers. We will welcome and orient new observers during monthly one-hour Zoom meetings. We will review what has been learned from active observers and decide together how to act on the information gained. Experienced observers can guide new ones, with . opportunities to shadow them and get more prepared by using on-demand training resources and webinars.
Join the Pilot
If you are an existing or experienced observer or a member who is interested in learning more, let us know! Send an email to
info@lwvmclean.org.