How it works...

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   What is the Watchdog forum for?
It's to allow those who are already watching government for their own 
purposes to alert likeminded people everywhere when an issue of public 
forum law appears to be arising in a state or local agency they're 
observing.

Who is a Watchdog
Watchdogs are members of CalAware who volunteer to be the local eyes 
and ears on behalf of CalAware.  Please email
 us if you'd like to participate.

If you're not already a member of CalAware, join today.  You can do so

online.

What kind of issues of public forum law?
For example, a meeting held or an action taken without adequate public 
notice; a closed session held for questionable purposes; access to public 
records withheld or unreasonably delayed or complicated; attempts at 
censorship or arbitrary interference with speech, journalism, assembly or 
petitioning; the filing of a libel suit or a threat to do so; a whistleblower in 
trouble; a high school paper censored or its faculty advisor removed.

Isn't this the kind of thing the media report on?
Yes, as much as they can and as much as they know.  But there are not as 
many reporters as there should be, and there are many chances for them 
to miss something you have seen.  Or they may not think the issue or the 
event is that newsworthy.  Besides, very few in the media have a statewide 
audience.  This forum is to supply that level of awareness.

What's the difference between the Watchdog forum and the Community 
Forum?
The latter is more geared toward the sharing of experiences and ideas in 
pursuit of solutions�a brainstorming zone for working toward better 
policies and practices.  As a Watchdog in this forum, however, your 
reports and alerts are welcome even if you are not looking for a solution
�just documenting what may be a problem.  Of course, the same 
situation might prompt one person to report the facts as a Watchdog, 
while another person with more of a stake in resolving the matter might 
turn to the Community Forum and start a conversation with others who 
want to help.

Can I as a Watchdog report on a situation and ask whether there's a 
legal problem?
Yes, and if you do, at least one person will weigh in with a reaction�
CalAware General Counsel Terry Francke.

What should I try to avoid on this forum?
Drawing accusatory legal conclusions�stating that a person violated a 
law.  It's far more helpful and less risky to just report all of what you 
consider the relevant facts and let them speak for themselves.  For 
example, instead of saying, "Last night the school board violated the 
Brown Act," say something like "Last night the school board announced it 
had dismissed a soccer coach, but the coach tell me he was never given 
advance notice of the closed session in which charges against him were 
apparently reviewed."  Where the controversy involves written documents 
such as agendas, letters, memos, you can attach them and let others read 
and judge for themselves.
email

Edited by Emily - 10/July/2006 at 8:43am

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Emily Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 02/October/2003 Location: United States Posts: 5	Quote Reply Topic: How it works... Posted: 08/July/2006 at 10:45am
	What is the Watchdog forum for? It's to allow those who are already watching government for their own purposes to alert likeminded people everywhere when an issue of public forum law appears to be arising in a state or local agency they're observing. Who is a Watchdog Watchdogs are members of CalAware who volunteer to be the local eyes and ears on behalf of CalAware. Please email us if you'd like to participate. If you're not already a member of CalAware, join today. You can do so online. What kind of issues of public forum law? For example, a meeting held or an action taken without adequate public notice; a closed session held for questionable purposes; access to public records withheld or unreasonably delayed or complicated; attempts at censorship or arbitrary interference with speech, journalism, assembly or petitioning; the filing of a libel suit or a threat to do so; a whistleblower in trouble; a high school paper censored or its faculty advisor removed. Isn't this the kind of thing the media report on? Yes, as much as they can and as much as they know. But there are not as many reporters as there should be, and there are many chances for them to miss something you have seen. Or they may not think the issue or the event is that newsworthy. Besides, very few in the media have a statewide audience. This forum is to supply that level of awareness. What's the difference between the Watchdog forum and the Community Forum? The latter is more geared toward the sharing of experiences and ideas in pursuit of solutions�a brainstorming zone for working toward better policies and practices. As a Watchdog in this forum, however, your reports and alerts are welcome even if you are not looking for a solution �just documenting what may be a problem. Of course, the same situation might prompt one person to report the facts as a Watchdog, while another person with more of a stake in resolving the matter might turn to the Community Forum and start a conversation with others who want to help. Can I as a Watchdog report on a situation and ask whether there's a legal problem? Yes, and if you do, at least one person will weigh in with a reaction� CalAware General Counsel Terry Francke. What should I try to avoid on this forum? Drawing accusatory legal conclusions�stating that a person violated a law. It's far more helpful and less risky to just report all of what you consider the relevant facts and let them speak for themselves. For example, instead of saying, "Last night the school board violated the Brown Act," say something like "Last night the school board announced it had dismissed a soccer coach, but the coach tell me he was never given advance notice of the closed session in which charges against him were apparently reviewed." Where the controversy involves written documents such as agendas, letters, memos, you can attach them and let others read and judge for themselves. email Edited by Emily - 10/July/2006 at 8:43am