by Che Soto-Vigil
RYSE Center Adult Culture Keeper

One of the more important forms of civic participation is to speak at a local City Council or Board of Supervisors meeting. We can create awareness amongst our elected officials and community at large that sincere concerns exist with how local government is being managed. It is a long standing technique used for generating change in our community. Below you will find some steps that can be used to prepare for speaking at these types of meetings.

Step One: Familiarize oneself with the agenda item. This is very often a step that is already done due to the fact that one has made a decision to talk about it at the meeting however, even experts can always know more.

Step Two: Review the meeting agenda. This can often be done online but one can also acquire a paper copy through the City Clerk or the County Clerk.

Step Three: Persons who wish to address the Board should complete the form provided for that purpose and furnish a copy of any written statement to the Clerk before the item is considered by the board or council.

Step Four: Being called on…

Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
Persons who wish to speak on matters set for PUBLIC HEARINGS will be heard when the Chair calls for comments from those persons who are in support thereof or in opposition thereto. PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD MAY BE LIMITED TO THREE (3) MINUTES.

Cities
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: Your name will be called when the item is announced for discussion. Each speaker will be allowed TWO (2) MINUTES to address the City Council on NON-PUBLIC HEARING items listed on the agenda.

OPEN FORUM FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: Individuals who would like to address the City Council on matters not listed on the agenda or on Presentations, Proclamations and
Commendations, Report from the City Attorney, or Reports of Officers may do so under Open Forum. All speakers must complete and file a pink speaker’s card with the City Clerk prior to the commencement of Open Forum. The amount of time allotted to individual speakers shall be determined based on the number of persons requesting to speak during this item.

Note:
Sometime people get nervous when speaking in public. If that happens remember that it is natural and ok to be nervous but also keep in mind that you are there because you care about the issue you want to speak about. Try to make eye contact with each of the members of the governing body while speaking from the heart even if you are using notes or reading directly from a page.