Public Policy Development: attend a give meeting
ANSWER
Preparing for the Meeting:
- Select the Meeting: Choose a government meeting that is relevant to your interests or concerns. This could be a city council meeting, county commission meeting, school board meeting, or any other government gathering that is open to the public.
- Research the Meeting: Before attending, research the purpose and agenda of the meeting. You can usually find this information on the official government website or by contacting the relevant department. Understanding the context will help you better observe and analyze what unfolds during the meeting.
Attending the Meeting:
- Arrive Early: Arrive at the meeting venue early to ensure you have a good seat and to absorb the atmosphere.
- Take Detailed Notes: During the meeting, take detailed notes on the following:
- General Purpose: What is the primary objective of the meeting? Is it a regular session, a public hearing, or a special session for a particular issue?
- Attendees: Note who attended the meeting. This includes elected officials, government employees, members of the public, and any special guests or experts.
- Representation: Observe whether different segments of the community are adequately represented. Are there groups that seem underrepresented or excluded?
- Discussion Topics: Write down what topics were discussed and the main points raised during the meeting.
- Decisions Made: Record any decisions or resolutions that were made during the meeting. Note how they were arrived at and if there was any controversy or debate.
- Power Dynamics: Pay attention to power dynamics. Who holds the most influence? Are there any power struggles or conflicts evident?
Reflecting on the Experience:
- Concepts from Lectures/Readings: Reflect on any concepts or theories from your course lectures or readings that came to mind during the meeting. Consider how they apply to what you observed, such as the role of interest groups, democratic processes, or the separation of powers.
- Observation of Power: Describe what power looked like from your perspective. Was it concentrated in certain individuals or groups? Did the public have a meaningful voice, or did power seem centralized among elected officials?
- Personal Impact: Explain how the power dynamics you observed impact you personally. Are there policies or decisions discussed in the meeting that affect your life or community directly?
- Salience to Community: Discuss why this meeting might be salient to people in your community. Consider the broader implications of the decisions made and how they affect residents.
- Wielding Power Differently: Share your thoughts on how you would have wielded power differently if you were in a position of authority. What changes or approaches would you suggest based on your observations?
Crafting Your Reflection Essay:
Your reflection essay should be well-structured and include an introduction, body paragraphs covering the points mentioned above, and a conclusion. Be sure to provide specific examples and support your observations and reflections with evidence from the meeting. Finally, emphasize the importance of civic engagement and participation in government meetings as a way to shape the community’s future.
Remember to adhere to any specific guidelines or requirements provided by your course instructor for this assignment.
QUESTION
Description
Observing Power: Attend An Official Government Meeting: (20 points):
The aim of this exercise is to observe power in practice. I want you to attend an official meeting like one held by Tempe City Council, or the Maricopa County Commission, basically any official government meeting where the public is allowed to attend. You don’t have to engage, but you do need to observe. You will craft either a short 90 second to 2-minute video or write a 3-4 page reflection essay that summarizes your experience. Take notes of basic information, including the general purpose of the meeting, who attended, who was not represented, what was discussed, and any decisions that were made. From your perspective what did power look like? Which concepts from lectures or readings came to mind during or after your observation? Finally, end your reflection with a statement about why this meeting matters to you (how the power you observed impacts you personally), why it might be salient to people in your community (however you define community), and how you would have wielded power differently?