Protecting Your Right To Know

The right to know what the government is doing is integral to our democracy

WHY

Observers are the eyes and ears of the League. In addition, an observer’s presence at meetings demonstrates a citizen’s desire to be an informed and active participant in local government. League observers build good public relations as visible examples of citizens seeking to understand public policy issues, and the workings of our elected or appointed boards, commissions, and councils.

PURPOSE

1. Observing government in action makes a statement that the community is watching the process of governing. The League observer is the representative of the public at these meetings.
2. Observing public meetings allows League volunteers to watch for issues on which the League has taken a position or has an interest. If an item that is being discussed is related to one of LWV’s positions, the observer’s report will alert the Board to the possibility the League should speak out or take action on the issue.
3. Observers watch the general operations of public meetings. What issues are being discussed and how is the meeting being conducted? Does the Board, Council, or Commission comply with the open meeting laws?

RESOURCES FOR OBSERVERS

• Observing Your Government in Action
• Guidelines for Observers
• Observer Corps Report Form (this is a WORD document which will auto download)
• Requesting Copies of Public Records (Ballotpedia – overview)
  • Washington State Procedures
• Open Public Meeting Act (OPMA) – the skinny
• Take the OPMA Training (elected and appointed officials do, so should you!)
  • Public Meeting Guidelines
  • Special Meetings & Special Meetings Notice Checklist
  • Executive Sessions

OBSERVER CALENDAR

The League does not currently have enough volunteers to cover all the meetings shown below. If you are interested in becoming a League observer (and you don’t have to be a member to an observer), please contact us at KittitasInfo@gmail.com.

COUNTY
Kittitas County Commissioners - 1st & 3rd Tuesday, 10am
Kittitas County Planning Commission - 2nd & 4th Tuesday, 6:30pm
Kittitas County Housing Commission - 3rd Wednesday, 7am
CITIES
Cle Elum City Council - 2nd & 4th Tuesday, 7pm
Ellensburg City Council - 1st & 3rd Monday, 7pm
Ellensburg Planning Commission - 2nd Thursday, 5:45pm
Ellensburg Affordable Housing Commission - 1st Wednesday, 4:30p
Kittitas City Council - 2nd & 4th Tuesday, 7pm
SCHOOLS
Ellensburg School Board - 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 6pm
Kittitas School Board - 3rd Wednesday, 7pm
Cle Elum-Roslyn School Board - 2nd & 4th Monday, 6pm