The League of Women Voters sponsors the Observer Corps/Program:
“Observer programs (or Observer Corps) are a structured way for individuals to exercise their right to know. Organized under the auspices of a grassroots organization (such as the League of Women Voters), they provide a valuable service to the community. They help ensure that citizens are aware of the decisions that impact their lives, and they promote government transparency and accountability.
An observer is an individual who attends a governmental meeting, notes what happens at the meeting, and reports back to the League and (hopefully) the community. By attending public meetings of local governmental bodies/agencies, observers learn more about what their government is doing. They learn about the issues facing their community and are empowered to take action, if warranted. They also learn how issues are being addressed.” ~ The League.
Additionally, the Open Meeting Law gives citizens the right to receive advance notice of and to attend, with limited exceptions, all meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting the public is discussed or acted upon.
The Observer Corps of the League of Women Voters of Williamsburg Area attends meetings of the local Community Services Board (Colonial Behavioral Health), James City County Board of Supervisors, Williamsburg City Council, Williamsburg-James City County School Board, and the York County Board of Supervisors.