Embracing Asynchronous Town Meetings for Inclusive Decision-Making
The traditional town meeting has long been a cornerstone of local governance, providing a platform for citizens to voice their concerns, discuss pertinent issues, and participate in the decision-making process. However, as Tom Condon points out in his August 13 article CT towns grapple with how to govern as civic participation declines, a significant challenge has emerged in recent years—low attendance rates. The lack of participation can be attributed to various factors such as busy schedules, discomfort with public speaking, and contentment with the status quo. To address this issue comprehensively, this article advocates for the adoption of asynchronous town meetings pioneered by an organization called People Speak. By embracing this innovative approach, communities can not only surmount the obstacles posed by low attendance but also alleviate strain on decision-makers while promoting a more inclusive and active democratic landscape.
In his insightful article, Mr. Condon delves into the challenges faced by Connecticut towns in maintaining their traditional town meeting/board of selectmen structure. He highlights the historical significance of this structure, its current usage, and the various challenges it faces in the modern era. This article is intended to further explore some of the concepts from Condon’s piece and provide a possible path forward.
Understanding the Low Attendance Rates
Low attendance at traditional town meetings is a pressing concern. A 2008 Vanderbilt University study conducted in 21 municipalities found that only a small percentage of the population attended town meetings, city council meetings, or other meetings convened by the mayor in the past 12 months. In Condon’s article, he corroborates these findings, "Unless there's a significant or controversial issue, few residents attend these meetings," Condon notes. Regular instances where only a few individuals are present highlight the need to reevaluate the current model. This level of attendance is the norm, with larger crowds as a rare exception. A major factor for this decline is the conflict between town meeting schedules and citizens' busy lives. People have work, family, and other commitments that prevent them from attending in-person meetings. Comments received during asynchronous meetings tend to be heaviest during the workday, and lowest in the early evening, when meetings are traditionally held. Additionally, the discomfort of public speaking and the possibility of disagreeing with neighbors can deter people, especially during contentious discussions. It takes rethinking traditional participation methods to encourage attendance by modern town residents. One recent idea that has seen growing adoption over the past few years is asynchronous hearings. This type of hearing allows remote review of hearing materials and the ability to comment over the course of days rather than limiting participation to a single point in time. Early adopters have seen tenfold increases in meeting participation within a year.
Reducing Strain on Decision-Makers
Condon also sheds light on the challenges faced by decision-makers in traditional town meetings. He mentions, "The first selectman is often the town's chief executive officer, but the role varies from town to town." This variability and the weight of responsibility can be taxing. Traditional town meetings demand significant time from local officials and leaders who must oversee and guide discussions. Especially in smaller communities, a few individuals often bear the brunt of managing the proceedings. By transitioning to asynchronous platforms like People Speak, decision-makers can engage with community feedback over an extended period. This not only reduces the immediate pressures of time but also allows for a more thorough evaluation of community concerns and a more complete understanding of the issues. All of this improves the quality of decisions made while easing the burden on elected officials.
Promoting Inclusivity and Diverse Participation
In addition to the low attendance numbers, town meetings are plagued by low diversity of participation. In-person audiences generally across the country are heavily weighted toward older, white participants while minority populations are generally severely underrepresented. Strongtowns.org has addressed this issue in many articles including this one from 2018 that provides empirical data to demonstrate the problem. Asynchronous town meetings can bridge this gap. Traditional settings, where the fear of public speaking or potential disagreements might deter participation, can inadvertently silence marginalized voices. Online asynchronous platforms provide an environment where more citizens feel comfortable sharing their views because there is no need to speak publicly in front of potentially hostile neighbors, promoting a broader range of perspectives. This inclusivity ensures that a wider array of insights and experiences influence the decision-making process, leading to more comprehensive outcomes.
Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Engagement
The remark by Joe DeLong that when the town meeting was created “people weren’t driving their kids three states away for AAU basketball tournaments,” underlines the societal shifts over time and emphasizes the importance of adapting democratic processes to contemporary realities. In today's fast-paced world, where individuals are juggling multiple commitments, integrating technology into civic engagement is not just a pragmatic step but a vital one. Asynchronous town meetings can offer features that enhance interaction, such as real-time polls, multimedia integration, and threaded discussions. These tools not only foster a deeper understanding of complex issues through interactivity but also accommodate diverse schedules, enabling more citizens to participate actively in the democratic process.
In an era defined by rapid technological advancements and changing societal norms, the town meeting must evolve to remain an effective mechanism for citizen engagement. Asynchronous town meetings, although a relatively new concept, have been in operation for over half a decade. The technology has demonstrated its efficacy by boosting participation rates by up to 8 times compared to traditional formats as shown in a 2019 Lakewood, Colorado study. Furthermore, they offer a more representative platform, capturing a broader spectrum of community voices. The same study showed participation demographics almost exactly matching city demographics, removing the persistent public hearing problem with lack of diverse participation.
By leveraging simple technology online, asynchronous public hearings are not only addressing the troubling challenges of the present but are also paving the way for a more inclusive and engaged public in the future.