Reason leads to progress

Recent events suggest that it might be wise to share some advice about public meetings.
For starters, keep in mind that while the meeting is public, it’s not a meeting of the public.
In other words, it’s not a New England town hall session where everyone gets a chance to speak his or her mind.
Instead, it’s a meeting of a governing board that’s open for the public to observe. The purpose is transparency.
Granted, in many — if not most — cases, there’s an opportunity for public comment. But that’s up to the official board or council conducting the meeting. Again, the public is there as an audience or witness, not to conduct business.
Second, if you’re an ordinary citizen who wants to speak out on an issue at a public meeting, it’s important to do your homework in advance.
Ask yourself a key question: What am I hoping to accomplish?
If the answer is that you just want to vent your frustrations or air your grievances, chances are your effectiveness is going to be limited. You might feel better after you’ve gotten things off your chest, but odds are you won’t have changed anything.
If the answer is that you want to persuade the board or council or governing body on an issue, your odds of success are greater.
But if you’re going to be persuasive that means you’re going to have to get your facts lined up, you’re going to have to build an effective case for your position and you’re going to have to express that case in a non-combative manner.
That means — and this can be the hardest part — keeping your temper in check and leaving old personality disputes at the door.
Focus on the issue. Make your case well. And there’s a pretty good chance you’ll convince folks of your argument.
But it’s not all about talking. Listening is vital as well.
You’re going to the meeting because you want to be listened to. You should also go into the meeting prepared to listen. Other points of view, other arguments and other sets of facts are likely to present themselves.
Real progress begins to happen when both sides express themselves clearly, without excess emotion, and listen to one another.
That hasn’t been happening of late at some local meetings. But it needs to.
And we suspect everyone involved knows that. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]