Home / Commons / Session kits / Meetings and public comment / Slides

Voice · Slides

Meetings and public comment: the slides.

A 15-slide deck with speaker notes, for a 60-minute session. Present it from this page, or print it to PDF with one slide per page. The run sheet says when to show each slide.

While presenting: → or Space next, ← back, Home and End, S speaker notes, F full screen, Esc to stop.

Moraph for Good · Voice

Meetings and public comment

A Voice session from Moraph for Good

A free session kit · moraph.org/commons/sessions/voice/meetings-and-public-comment

Moraph for Good · Voice · Meetings and public comment1 / 15

Speaker notes

Welcome people. Say this is a free, nonpartisan session on how to follow a public meeting and have your say.

How today works

Ground rules

  • Strictly nonpartisan: how to take part, not what to think
  • Nobody has to share anything about themselves
  • Practice is optional to read aloud
  • Country details come from official sources

Moraph for Good · Voice · Meetings and public comment2 / 15

Speaker notes

Go through the rules briefly. Say that the practice topic is made up so nobody has to take a side on a real issue.

The big idea

The agenda is your map to a meeting.

Moraph for Good · Voice · Meetings and public comment3 / 15

Speaker notes

Ask who has ever looked at a council or board agenda. No need for details. Say that by the end everyone will be able to read one.

Agendas

What’s on an agenda

  • The items, in the order they’ll be taken
  • Reports and papers for each item
  • Consent items approved together
  • Any part held in private, and why

Moraph for Good · Voice · Meetings and public comment4 / 15

Speaker notes

If you have a real agenda from the local body, show it now and point to each part.

Agendas

Where to find them

  • On the body’s website, usually under meetings
  • Published before the meeting
  • Minutes afterwards show what was decided
  • Many meetings are streamed or recorded

Moraph for Good · Voice · Meetings and public comment5 / 15

Speaker notes

Timing rules differ by country and body. The handout covers what official sources say for your country.

Agendas

Reading a staff report

  • Start with the summary and recommendation
  • Look for the options considered
  • Check the cost and who pays
  • Find out what happens next

Moraph for Good · Voice · Meetings and public comment6 / 15

Speaker notes

Staff reports are often long. Reassure people they don’t need to read every page to understand what is proposed.

Timing

When to have your say

  • Early: when a proposal or report is first published
  • Before the vote: at the meeting or in writing
  • After: follow up on what was decided

Moraph for Good · Voice · Meetings and public comment7 / 15

Speaker notes

Comments are usually most useful early, before positions are settled. Consultations often run well before the meeting.

Ways to comment

You don’t have to speak

  • Speak at the meeting, if public comment is taken
  • Send a written comment by email or post
  • Use an online form or consultation
  • Contact an elected member directly

Moraph for Good · Voice · Meetings and public comment8 / 15

Speaker notes

Ask the room which they would feel most comfortable with. All of them count.

Ways to comment

A two-minute comment

  • Name the agenda item
  • Say who you are and your connection to the area
  • Say how it affects you
  • Say what you’d like to happen, and thank them

Moraph for Good · Voice · Meetings and public comment9 / 15

Speaker notes

Write these on the flip chart. Facts and your own experience carry weight. Being courteous makes it easier for people to listen, even when you disagree.

Activity

Try it: read the agenda

  1. Work in pairs, using exercise 1
  2. Which items can the public comment on, and when?
  3. What are consent items?
  4. Which part isn’t open to the public?

Moraph for Good · Voice · Meetings and public comment10 / 15

Speaker notes

Give 5 minutes, then take answers. The sample agenda is made up.

Activity

Try it: plan your two minutes

  1. Choose item 6, the pedestrian crossing
  2. Use the five parts on exercise 2
  3. Any view is fine: for, against, or a change
  4. Volunteers can read aloud while we time them

Moraph for Good · Voice · Meetings and public comment11 / 15

Speaker notes

Give 7 minutes to plan, then time two or three volunteers. Thank each one without commenting on their view.

Writing

Writing to the people who decide

  • One issue per message
  • Put the item or topic in the subject line
  • Say what you’d like them to do
  • Keep it short, polite, and keep a copy

Moraph for Good · Voice · Meetings and public comment12 / 15

Speaker notes

Elected members often list a preferred way to be contacted. Staff can answer questions about how something works now.

Afterwards

After the meeting

  • Read the minutes or watch the recording
  • Check what was decided and what happens next
  • Follow up in writing if you have more to add
  • Note the next meeting date

Moraph for Good · Voice · Meetings and public comment13 / 15

Speaker notes

Following up is often where a comment turns into a conversation with staff or members.

Voting

For anything about voting, go to your official election office.

Moraph for Good · Voice · Meetings and public comment14 / 15

Speaker notes

Registration, deadlines and polling places come from the electoral authority where you live. The handout says where to find it.

Thank you

Questions?

  • Take the handout: the back has official sources for your country
  • Next session: Records requests
  • Free guides at moraph.org/commons

This kit, the worksheet and the handouts: moraph.org/commons/sessions/voice/meetings-and-public-comment

Moraph for Good · Voice · Meetings and public comment15 / 15

Speaker notes

Take questions. If someone asks about a specific local dispute, point them to the body’s own contact or complaints route rather than advising.