I have been operating under the assumption that my reports here should be as factual as I can make them, and that there should be no options or judgments in them. On the other hand, as observer, if I see things at council meetings which I think may be of concern to LWV members, be they procedural or in the context of our adopted positions, I should notify the president who will take the matter up with the board.( An example is the concern I had with the report of the council’s subcommittee dealing with boards and committees. Nothing has come of that effort, either within or outside the League, however.)

I doubt that many people actually read these reports, so one might ask what their value is even as quasi- journalistic pieces. It has been a good discipline for me, taking notes and then writing up the report – but that seems a bit self-indulgent! It is possible that having Georgiana at the Rice Councy Commissioners’ meetings, and either you or me at City Council meetings, providing a kind of consistent citizen presence, affects the conduct of the elected officials’ business – but I often wonder about that!

The League’s Annual Meeting is often the time when such organizational issues are raised and discussed, but this year’s wasn’t set up for that purpose. Maybe, if the board is holding a planning retreat this spring, we could ask them to take up your questions.

What is the most helpful position ? is it strict reportage, or is there a minimum of interpretation as to what League members should be looking at, or interested in?

If League’s mission is concerned with ‘best practices’ how can observers steer League members to issues of concern without being accused of prejudicial thinking?
You and I have had these conversations; is there a way to engage the membership/board on these issues, on this site?

Maybe it should be a Board discussion first? or would the Board prefer the initial comments come up from the general membership.