Group Sets Objectives, Methods

Citizens Leadership Objectives

These are brief descriptions of the three main objectives our group hopes to accomplish. 


I.  Gather Information and post on group’s web site:
Information on the following:

  1.  City of Cleveland Heights
         - Council and city meetings, hearings, boards, committees,
           and commissions (notes, video record): Volunteers will
           attend a meeting of their choice, with a minimum of
           two at each meeting, if possible.
               ~ Council of the Whole – meet every Monday
                     at 6:00 pm
               ~ City Council – meet 1st & 3rd Monday of month,
                     7:30 pm
               ~ Planning Commission
               ~ Plus: Architectural Board of Review, Landmark
                    Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Citizens
                    Advisory Committee
         - Direct contact with council members, staff
         - Public Documents - access via Internet or in
            person; make request via email; last resort is
            a written request sent certified mail.
               ~ City Codified Ordinances
               ~ Ordinances – passed but not in codified ordinances
               ~ CAFR – Annual financial report
               ~ Budgets
                      > Current
                      > Proposed for next year (available by July)
               ~ Meeting minutes and attendees notes
               ~ Strategic Economic Plans
               ~ Ohio Revised Code
               ~ Ohio Constitution
               ~ City Charter
               ~ Contracts
               ~ Proposals submitted to the city for development,
                     projects
               ~ All financially related documents for each city
                     department
  2.  School Board - Volunteers will attend a meeting of
     their choice with a minimum of two at each meeting,
     if possible.
         - Meeting minutes and attendee notes
         - Direct contact with school board members
         - Direct contact with school district staff
         - Budgets

  3.  Surveys; interviews with residents - To investigate, define
       key issues.
  4.  League of Women Voters
  5.  Other community organizations and groups
  6.  Interview professionals, experts, professors

II.      Inform and educate city, school-district residents
           - Patch.com
           - Column in local paper – a focus on citizen education
           - Community meetings in different locales around city
           - Emailed newsletter
           - Contacts in different parts of city – churches, temples,

III.  Take steps to address 3-4 key issues
     Group chooses 3-4 large issues.  For each plan:
           1.  Define issue
           2.  Define the objective for the issue
           3.  Identify outside support, experts, resources
           4.  Research, collate information
           5.  Create action plan and assign duties to organize:
                   - Door-to-door grassroots effort
                   - Full-court press on council
                        ~ Emails and phone calls to each council member
                        ~ Meet with them personally, one-on-one
                        ~ Tag-team presentation at City Council Meeting
                    - Legal action
                    - Petition
                    - Initiative
                    - Other