FYI, I cut & pasted this from a letter that was sent out so please excuse any formating issues:



July 23, 2010


Dear Detroit Supporter,

Thank you for your interest in the activities of our Detroit Charter Revision Commission. Your interest and participation in the process to update the legislation that provides our local elected officials with operational rules, policies, procedures, powers and limitations will help protect our rights and welfare as Detroit citizens for years to come. We need more people like you to engage in this vital process.

So far, the Commission has met bi-monthly in 17 different locations across the city, and scores of Detroiters have had an opportunity to hear and question a diversity of perspectives on such important Charter issues as:
Council/City Manager Form of Government
Balancing the powers between the executive and legislative branches of city government
Home Rule Cities Act
Qualifications for Elected Officials
Term Limits
Ethics and Standards
Corporation Counsel - Does S/he Represent the Mayor, City Council or You?
The Political, Social and Economic Implications of Council-by-Districts
Removal of Elected & Appointed Officials From Office
Police & Fire Commissions

Summaries of these presentations are available at the Charter Commission’s web page, located within the city of Detroit website, www.detroitmi.gov. Click-on “Departments,” and then, “City Charter Commission.”

Our next meetings will address Charter topics related to Economic Development and Planning [[July 27), and Privatization [[August 10), beginning at 6 p.m. We encourage you to attend and
learn, first-hand some of the issues involved and ways to enhance the quality of governance for Detroiters. Enclosed is a schedule of upcoming meetings, and we encourage you to attend and participate in shaping Detroit’s Charter.

The Commission’s process for the remainder of 2010 includes a series of community meetings and workshops, during which methodical information-gathering, fact-finding, and analysis regarding key Charter revisions will take place, and these findings and ideas will be brought to the community for organized deliberation, feedback and input.

In this regard, the Commission has several volunteer opportunities in its efforts to inform Detroiters about the Charter and obtain input and ideas on the topics. We need your help in getting the information to as many Detroiters as possible. We also need individuals with research skills to help us critically assess key issues and uncover best practices on policies and practices in other cities.

I am enclosing a list of volunteer opportunities designed to meet some of the immediate needs of the Commission. In addition to these, we also are in need of volunteers with technical abilities in computer science, networking and social media.

I have phone numbers and e-mail addresses for most of you who have attended Commission meetings, and will contact you over the next few days, to learn whether you can contribute some of your time to the Commission’s activities. And you can call the Commission office at 313-628-2517 to leave your name and number, or e-mail WhiteI@detroitmi.gov and I will return your call promptly.

Thanks again for your interest in our Charter revision process. The revisions will be determined by Detroiters like you, who want to make a difference in how our city is governed. I hope to see you soon.

With every good wish,

Ingrid White,
Volunteer Coordinator



Charter Commission Meeting Schedule
[[through September)


Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 6:00 P.M.
Mayflower Congregational UCC
7301 Curtis Avenue
Detroit, MI 48221 [[Northwest Detroit)
TOPIC: Economic Development & Planning: The way forward to local economic recovery, balance & thoughtfulness.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 6:00 P.M.
Kemeny Center
2260 South Fort Street
Detroit, Michigan 48217 [[Southwest Detroit)
TOPIC: Privatization

Tuesday August 24, 2010 at 6:00 P.M.
Subject Expert and Meeting Location / TDA
Topic: Public Health & Health Care

Tuesday September 14, 2010 at 6:00 P.M.
Subject Expert and Meeting Location / TDA
Topic: Enterprise Departments – Transportation, Water & Sewerage

Tuesday September 28, 2010 at 6:00 P.M.
Subject Expert and Meeting Location / TDA
Topic: Public Employees Pension

The Charter Commission meets at 6pm in locations across the city of Detroit on the first and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Meeting notices and locations are posted in the City Clerk’s office, 2nd Floor, Coleman A. Young Municipal Complex; on the city of Detroit’s website, http://www.detroitmi.gov/Departments.../Default.aspx; and on the 13th Floor of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Complex. Meeting notices meet an 18-hour notice requirement under the Open Meeting Act. Feel free to contact the Commission office by e-mail or phone for information.

SAMPLE VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

1. Meeting Prep.
o Prepare agenda/info. packets:
§ Agenda
§ Current newsletter
§ Commission activities update
§ Summaries of all panel discussion issues, pro and con
§ Meeting schedule, including standing committees
§ Standing committee membership list
§ Volunteer sign-up card
o Contact volunteers to assist in meeting set-up and with sign-in table
o Help set-up meeting hall:
§ Outdoor signage placement
§ Arrange sign-In table:
· Sign-in Sheets
· Pens
· Name tags
· Info. packets
§ Beverages/refreshments arranged
§ Test all electronic equipment
o Serve as timekeeper
o Lead table-discussions

2. Communications/PR Functions
o Website updates
o Networking and social media interface
o Prepare media listing, including community newsletters
o Prepare letters to newspaper editors
o Identify establishments that will allow Commission flyers to be displayed
o Create flyers announcing Commission meetings/activities
o Distribute:
§ Press releases
§ Conduct literature drops/canvassing in communities where Commission activities will be taking place
o Proactively schedule community org. presentations to apprise community of Commission progress, and receive input/feedback
o Newsletter prep.
§ Schedule [[volunteer) photographer for events
§ Document meeting/event highlights
§ Draft news articles
§ Newsletter lay-out

3. Research
o Investigate, analyze and document “best-practices” in other cities relative to complex Detroit charter issues;
o Help identify infrastructure implications and resource requirements to implement key charter revisions

4. Admin/Office/Clerical
o Assist in meeting arrangements
o Contact volunteers as needed
o Create signs for events
o Transcribe meeting minutes, presentations
o Data entry:
§ Volunteers
§ Meeting attendees
o Prepare mailings