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P.O. Box 363, La Crosse WI, 54602
lwlawi@gmail.com
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What is Observer Corps?

Observer Corps (OC), a long-standing LWV program, was re-established by our League for a one-year pilot in 2021.  Members who participated in the pilot felt our League  benefitted from connecting with and learning more about the work of local government, so our Observer Corps has continued as an active committee open to all LWVLA members.  
(See below for current OC assignments.)

What are the LWVLA goals for Observer Corps?
  • Promote open, transparent and accessible local governance
  • Learn about local issues, initiatives and governmental processes
  • Inform LWVLA voter education and issue advocacy efforts

What do Observer Corps members do?  

  • Choose a city, county, or school district entity to observe
  • Complete a report on the processes and business of this entity
  • Attend the monthly OC meeting for discussion of observations
  • Make recommendations to the Program Committee and/or the Board of Directors for further study or advocacy
Please let us know if you are interested in observing a La Crosse area committee, council, or board. 

Contact Us  


WI Open Meetings Law Checklist
☐Public notice (time/date/location/content) was readily available no later than 2 hours prior to the meeting.
☐ The meeting was held in a location that was open to the public and readily accessible to members of the public who wished to attend.
☐ The agenda provided enough specific detail to inform interested members of the public about the content of the meeting.
☐ A quorum was present to conduct business.
☐ Meeting content was limited to only noticed agenda items, including business discussed in closed session.
☐ A record of motions, seconds, and roll-call votes from the meeting will be (was?) created and preserved.

Public Accessibility Good Practice 
☐ The meeting was available to view or listen to on-line.
☐ Copies of the agenda and handouts were available to the public. Important information was available for viewing via handouts, web links, or projector.
☐ Roll call was conducted, and the public could identify members who were present or absent ☐ Speakers were identified and could be easily heard.
☐ The public was given an opportunity to speak at the meeting.
☐ Minutes and/or a recording of the meeting will be made available to the public.
Recent Articles
Observer Corps Reports

LWVUS Publication
Observing Your Government: Protecting Your Right to Know 

League “observer corps” or monitoring programs are not new. Many Leagues across the country have had programs in place for decades. The goal of this publication is to document how these programs work, as well as to describe the benefits that accrue to the League as well as the public. We have compiled some “best practices” as well as provided information about how these programs can contribute to the vitality of the League.... I hope that this guide will be a valuable resource for Leagues and other community members as we all continue the vital work to keep government open and accessible to the public. Click below to read the LWV resource guide, "Observing Your Government in Action."
~Mary G. Wilson,  LWVUS president
2007

Observing Your Government in Action

Observer Corps Report Form