Advocating For An Open Government As ONE CITY
Each year the Stockton City Council and City Manager invites citizen's input(though not as openly as Modesto) as they conduct a priority setting workshop in order to set goals and draft an annual strategic plan to give city staff direction. Each quarter, Boards and commissions provide opportunities for engaged citizens to be more actively involved that governance. Each week citizens are invited to city meetings to offer public comments on city governance. Each day, public information executes it's communication plan in the form of press releases, social media posts, etc. The similar meetings, etc. occur at the county or state level. There has never been a more opportune time for ENGAGEd citizens to demand an OPEN local government with a TRANSPARENT, ACCESSIBLE, ACCOUNTABLE and ANSWERABLE culture that will inspire our city to a new level of constructive, collaborative partnerships that won't happen on their own. The following are a few steps to help it along...
1) Learn your tools - Whether it be a meeting with an elected official or government staff, it is helpful to have an impartial moderator to mediate through any impasses common in any organizational culture that prevent a successful navigation through the design thinking process. If you are attending a board, commission or committee meeting, kindly but firmly state that you expect Rosenberg's and Robert's Rule Of Order or the Brown Act to be observed. This is simply a few of many ways engaged citizens can help redefine democracy on the local level.
2) Learn your city - Know your city district and council member. Also, know your city's organizational structure, general plan and contact information.
3) Engage your city - Engage with other members of the public, the Police Dept., Libraries, Community Centers, Neighborhood Watches, Business Watches and Non-Profits. Also with San Joaquin County and the Stockton, Lincoln, Lodi, SJCOOE and Manteca school districts who have schools with public records in our city limits.
4) Improve your city - Whether it be a passion for EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, HEALTH, HOUSING or INNOVATION, find the governmental department, agency, official, staff member which best aligns with that passion. Partner with them using the best practices of peacemaking to achieve the common good for all within the city limits.
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