This week’s venture was to the city council meeting at city hall in downtown Memphis. I am not going to retell every little thing that happened, because I don’t want to bore anyone. Instead, I will say what I found most interesting and what I liked about the experience. When we first walked through the building’s front doors it reminded me of what the 1950’s or 60’s would have been like minus the cigarette smoke; everything in City Hall’s lobby is square with sharp edges and made of marble, granite, and wood. When entering the room the meeting was held in, we walked down a sloped floor to black leather chairs.
There was a group of cheerleaders in front of us from the Memphis All-Stars cheering squad, they were the first to be introduced and I thought it was nice to see the children being recognized for their accomplishments. The cheerleaders won awards in different age divisions for hip hop dance, and their parents and the city council seemed very proud of them. They were asked to stand and received a mix of a standing and sitting ovation. I admit I did not stand up but did clap. The rest of the meeting was almost all business and unanimous affirmative votes except for the end which turned into a heated discussion over a matter of temporary employment by the city. The city was trying to turn some 900 plus jobs from temporary into permanent part-time employment. The item eventually passed. Basically, everything that the one gentleman was saying was all in vain because he failed to persuade anyone to vote “no” along with his lone vote.
Even though parts of the meeting seemed a little unplanned, I thought that it was handled professionally enough and I do find it important to go to the city council meetings. When I was more actively involved with my electrical job, I attended my union meetings which followed parliamentary procedure similar to the city council meeting. I am almost certain they followed Robert’s Rules of Order, which are the same rules used in most open meetings, whether they be public or private. I probably will not attend another meeting at city hall unless I am involved in an issue or have an issue to be resolved, but I do plan on attending my neighborhood meetings and possible running for office or board of directors once I become an established member of my community. Knowing my neighborhood and neighbors is a priority to me. It gives me an awareness of what current and future events are happening or going to take place in my area. It also allows me to voice my opinion in a legitimate forum; one thing I have always said is, do not complain about issues or policies if you did not vote for them whether they be private, local, or national.
There was a group of cheerleaders in front of us from the Memphis All-Stars cheering squad, they were the first to be introduced and I thought it was nice to see the children being recognized for their accomplishments. The cheerleaders won awards in different age divisions for hip hop dance, and their parents and the city council seemed very proud of them. They were asked to stand and received a mix of a standing and sitting ovation. I admit I did not stand up but did clap. The rest of the meeting was almost all business and unanimous affirmative votes except for the end which turned into a heated discussion over a matter of temporary employment by the city. The city was trying to turn some 900 plus jobs from temporary into permanent part-time employment. The item eventually passed. Basically, everything that the one gentleman was saying was all in vain because he failed to persuade anyone to vote “no” along with his lone vote.
Even though parts of the meeting seemed a little unplanned, I thought that it was handled professionally enough and I do find it important to go to the city council meetings. When I was more actively involved with my electrical job, I attended my union meetings which followed parliamentary procedure similar to the city council meeting. I am almost certain they followed Robert’s Rules of Order, which are the same rules used in most open meetings, whether they be public or private. I probably will not attend another meeting at city hall unless I am involved in an issue or have an issue to be resolved, but I do plan on attending my neighborhood meetings and possible running for office or board of directors once I become an established member of my community. Knowing my neighborhood and neighbors is a priority to me. It gives me an awareness of what current and future events are happening or going to take place in my area. It also allows me to voice my opinion in a legitimate forum; one thing I have always said is, do not complain about issues or policies if you did not vote for them whether they be private, local, or national.
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