Directions: Social workers are required by the NASW Code of Ethics to participate in improving the macro environment of clients/populations. Often, social workers are reluctant to do this because they have not been exposed to the workings of government. This exercise requires student (in pairs or individually) to attend a local government meeting. Of course, you will likely be attending virtually. Then, each individual student will document his/her/their experiences in a written or video journal entry.

The local government meeting that students select should fit the following criteria.

1. Meetings should be open to the public and the public should be allowed to testify. Note: Students do not have to testify. This is not an expectation of this assignment.

2. The meetings should be comprised of elected officials (not appointed). For example, Boards or Commissions comprised of appointed individuals would not be permissible or this assignment.

Students are encouraged to learn early in the semester when their city or county government holds meetings that include public input.

Written/Video Journal Requirements:

1. Name:(Last,First)
2. Overview:Pleaseprovideashortstatementthatidentifiesthemeetingatyouattended. Please include the (a) name of the meeting, (b) date of the meeting,(c) place of the meeting, and (d) time of the meeting.
3. Attendees: Describe the attendees. Who was there? Think about thedemographic composition of the meeting. How many legislators were present?Think about their demographic characteristics.
4. Action:Whotestifiedduringthemeeting?Howdidtheydelivertheirtestimony(e.g., at a podium, from their seat, formal speech, brief bullet points, monologue, did they have to sign up beforehand, was there a time limit)? How was their testimony received by legislators?
5. CriticalAnalysis:Usingthecoursecontent,criticallyreflectonthecurrentand possiblea. rolesforsocialworkersingovernmentpolicymaking.Forexample,could a social worker have been helpful at this meeting? How and why?
6. Reflection: Reflect on how you felt attending the meeting. Was the environment welcoming, confrontational, or did it reflect a nonchalant/disengaged environment? Was the meeting accessible to persons with disabilities? Was the meeting convenient? Were persons’ opinions valued?

7. Advocacy: Think about how you felt about legislative advocacy before attending this meeting. Now, reflect on how you feel now. Do you feel that your participation in this meeting has changed your thoughts/feelings about legislative advocacy? If so, how? Was the environment welcoming, confrontational, or did it reflect a nonchalant/disengaged environment? Was the meeting accessible to persons with disabilities? Was the meeting convenient? Were persons’ opinions valued?

The finished journal should be equivalent to 2 pages, double-spaced.