The Partial Observer by Christina Bourgeois and Hudi Podolsky

LWV Observer Corps: Helping To Let the ‘Sun’ Shine on Democracy

The mission of the League of Women Voters is “defending democracy and empowering voters.” One crucial way we accomplish that mission is through our Observer Corps. Observers are LWV members who attend the meetings of area towns, villages, school boards and other municipal agencies. Observers do not participate in the meetings; rather they observe how well, if at all, the agency complies with New York State’s Open Meeting Law. This law (also known as the “Sunshine” Law) outlines in detail actions that may be taken by a public body and how the public should be informed. For example:

• The law requires that notice of the time and place of all meetings be given prior to every meeting.

• The law sets requirements regarding how and why an “executive” or closed session may be called.

• The law notes that minutes of open meetings must be made available within two weeks of the meeting; minutes of executive sessions must be made available within one week of the executive session. Minutes that have not been approved should be marked “draft” or “unapproved.”