Institutions
A Public Body Is Not a Single Job: Reading Its Different Roles
Learn how to read a public body’s roles, offices, committees, and staff so you can identify who handles a question and…
The reading room
Articles
Explore explainers on civic institutions, decisions, records, participation and the language that shapes public understanding.
Records
Agenda, Minutes or Report: Which Record Answers Your Question?
Agenda, minutes or report: identify the source of a public claim, distinguish draft from approved records, and cite…
Participation
Before the Vote: A Short History of the Public Hearing
The history of the public hearing explains how petitions, open meetings, and formal inquiries shaped a civic forum—and…
Decisions
The Consultation Is Not the Decision
Learn how to read a public consultation, understand what officials are asking, and tell which parts of a proposal…
Civic Language
How to Read a Public Notice and Find the Action It Requests
Learn how to read a public notice, spot the requested action and deadline, and use its attachments to prepare a…