Observer Corps
What is the Observer Corps?
LWVKC members attend a variety of governmental boards, committees, and commissions in Jackson, Clay, Cass and Platte Counties. They confirm compliance with Sunshine Law requirements, prepare reports to keep members informed of current issues, and alert Leadership of the need for further action.
If you are interested in joining LWVKC's Observer Corps, contact
ObsCorpsAdmin@lwvkc.org.
Each member chooses what to observe and writes a brief report that is shared with the team.
Interested? Learn more here:
Observer Corps Training
What Do We Observe
We observe public meetings and report on the following issues of particular interest to the LWVKC:
- ELECTIONS, ELECTION INTEGRITY & VOTING RIGHTS
- Meetings of election authorities (KCEB, JCEB, Clay County, Platte County, Cass County).
- PUBLIC SCHOOLS & LIBRARIES
- TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT
- All meetings of elected officials or their appointees. Have significant rules or legislation been voted on without discussion? Includes application and/or analysis of the MO Sunshine Law.
- JUSTICE, LAW ENFORCEMENT & COMMUNITY POLICING
- Meetings of the KCMO Board of Police Commissioners, city councils (KCMO, Independence, Raymore, Parkville, Liberty, etc), and county commissions.
- HEALTHCARE
- Meetings of the KCMO Health Commission and health departments overseen by cities and counties. Includes measures that impact public health and veterans' care.
- HOUSING & DEVELOPMENT
- Meetings of the KCMO Land Bank, cities, and counties. Includes property tax assessments, affordable housing, evictions, homelessness, TIFs, and controlled growth.
- HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
- Meetings of the KC Human Rights Commission, the KCMO Police Board, and cities and counties. Includes all DEI issues in awarding city and county contracts and in hiring practices.
- GREEN ENERGY IMPACTS, INITIATIVES & INFRASTRUCTURE
Check out links to public entities in Kansas City, Jackson, Clay, Cass and Platte Counties: LINKS | Public Meetings
Why does The League have an Observer Corps?
- To watch government in action;
- To let public bodies/agencies know that citizens are interested;
- To keep the League up-to-date with government;
- To uphold the public's right to be present at meetings of public bodies/agencies;
- To learn about local government from the source;
- To establish good public relations for the League;
- To alert the League to possibilities for action on positions;
- To become aware of emerging issues for program planning;
- To be informed, enlightened and fascinated.