To prepare for this section of the Course Project:
- Review this week’s Learning Resources. Reflect on how you, as an advocate, can use your knowledge of the government’s basic structure and processes to make your advocacy efforts more effective.
- Research your local government. Think about processes, procedures, and functions of your local government—how your municipal government works.
- Identify whether your local government is run by a city council, how many people are on the council, and whether a mayor presides over the council. If your local government is not run by a city council, determine which legislative body runs your local government.
- Think about whether you would present your selected public health issue to your city council, county board, and/or any other special boards or committees. Consider how you would present the issue to this group.
- Review the Horrigan and Raine article (2015) located in this week’s Learning Resources. Reflect on transparency in local governments and consider whether the work of your local government is transparent.
- Identify local representatives and explain how local officials and members of committees are elected or selected. If elected, consider whether they are elected via ward, precinct, or by top vote.
