Town Meeting:How and Why
I propose that the TMMA author and publish a series of articles via the TMMA web site. Each article would address a single "how and why" topic. Providing the information online in a focused manner will bring new TM members up to speed faster and provide a convenient way to refresh the memories of experienced TM members.
Making TM members productive should be the primary mission of the TMMA. Curating these topics, presenting the issues in a balanced manner, and keeping the answers relevant and up-to-date is no small job, but it could help TM enormously. My goal is to encourage good practices without stifling individual expression.
The first set of topics are of general and/or year-round interest:
- How and why to become a member of TM.
- How and why to attend a committee meeting.
- How and why to contact the chair of a Board or Committee.
- How and why to contact a town employee.
- How and why to read a committee report.
- How and why to serve on a committee.
- How and why to create a new committee, task force, or working group.
- How and why to attend annual budget summits.
- How and why to put an Article on the Town Warrant.
- How and why to contribute to the TMMA Warrant Information booklet.
The following are all issues that come up when TM is in session:
- How and why to organize your collection of documents during TM.
- How and why to address the Moderator.
- How and why to use the "Yes" or "No" microphone.
- How and why to use the "Question" microphone.
- How and why to amend a motion on the floor.
- How and why to propose a resolution.
- How and why to serve notice of reconsideration.
- How and why to ask for a standing vote.
- How and why to move the previous question.
- How and why to indefinitely postpone an article.
- How and why to raise a point of personal privilege.
- How and why to raise a point of information.