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List of Observers

Observer Corps Reports

(Save As form to your computer
Fill out form
Email to League Office with Observer Form 
as an attachment.
league@lwvdayton.org)

Open Meetings

Open Records

Joyce Fisher
New Observer Corps Chair

Want to know the background behind what happens around your community? Why the school board approved that new curriculum? Why the zoning was changed in your neighborhood? Go to public meetings and find out!  And while you're at it, be an observer for your league! The Ohio Sunshine Law protects the public's right to attend meetings of public bodies like city and town councils, school and library boards, etc. - even committee meetings of public bodies! (think Finance Committee, Executive Committee, etc.) League observers provide an important presence at many meetings which might otherwise have few or no members of the public in attendance.  Even where others attend, your continuing presence can serve as a gentle reminder that the public's business is indeed a public matter. At first, it may be a challenge to follow what’s happening in a session; it may take a few meetings to be able to see where the “plot” is headed and how to follow the “story line.” Pretty soon, though, you’ll know the issues, you’ll recognize the officials involved, and you’ll be able to watch for new items, fresh concerns, or continuing issues that other Leaguers will want to know about. All you need to do is look and listen, and report items of interest. League will provide you with reporting forms (for when you report on significant items for the Voter), a handbook (yep, there are a few rules to observing) and a button identifying you as an LWV Observer. The office will send out a letter to the public entity letting them know you’ll be coming to observe. Then go on to the meetings and do just that: observe. (Without specific Board approval, observers do not speak on League’s behalf.) Be the eyes and ears of the League, and help keep the public in public meetings. Enjoy our Ohio Sunshine Law - after all, democracy can’t flourish in the dark! Email me at jcfisher@woh.rr.com if you’re interested, or leave a message at the League office. 

We need eyes and ears.

Objectives:  

1.   Strengthen communication between the organization and local government agencies, including county commissions, city councils, city commissions, township trustees, boards of education, planning commissions, and boards responsible for a single functional area such as transit, health or parks.  

2.   Encourage individual members to become better informed regarding the decision-making process in local government.  

3.    Gather information and identify problems, issues, and trends in the community so as to enable the organization to assess its relationship and importance to current and future organizational programs.  

4.   Increase the visibility and enhance the image of the organization among elected and appointed officials, community leaders, and those persons responsible for effective delivery of services by public agencies.  

5.   Encourage better government through the observers presence at meetings.  

6.   Share information with the organization’s members about issues that may affect communities in the area.

Distinction between Observing and Monitoring:  

There is a distinct difference between observing and monitoring.  

OBSERVING is a passive function.

Therefore, an observer is an individual who regularly attends a governmental meeting, listens and records the events or facts of the meeting, and reports back to the organization, but does not usually comment at the meeting, unless specific direction or permission from the Board of Directors is given.  

MONITORING implies action.

“...monitoring is intended as a direct action tool to see that laws and administrative policies are carried out.”  In League: Guidelines for League Boards.

A monitor is usually authorized by the organization’s Board to speak on issues, ask questions, and recommend changes.