Getting Involved:
Democracy and Political Theory
Participation Activity 1 ::
Participation Activity 2
Participation Activity 1
Look through the last two weeks of your local newspaper and find an issue of local public concern that interests you. Decide how you feel about this issue, and why. Call the city or county government offices to determine when the next meeting of the relevant elected officials will occur. Attend the meeting prepared to speak your mind about the issue.
1. What are the rules for public participation at the meeting?
2. How did you feel about speaking in public? Nervous? Excited?
3. How well did you present your case? Evaluate your performance so you can do better in the future.
4. How receptive were the officials to your input?
5. Who else participated? What did they say?
6. How many people attended the meeting?
7. How did the media cover the event? Was there detailed coverage? Was the information presented both accurate and balanced?
