In this episode I discuss the importance of civic engagement and recap a project several dozen state and local officials worked recently to produce a produce a free, nonpartisan guide on how to boost participation at Town Meeting. It was covered on NHPR and you can download the guide at nhtownmeeting.com.
In the episode we cover the phrase “Authentic and effective public engagement” and why it’s important to have shared definitions of terms such as these. We go through some of the reasons behind the handbook, and then go through the five best practices we identified, as well as some quotes from local officials in NH and VT who have put these in practice in their communities. This all should help give some background to why these sorts of efforts are so important to the Selectboard and all of us in the Town government in Hanover.
Press release below:
State and local officials work together to increase Town Meeting participation in NH
Two weeks after New Hampshire's 104th first-in-the-nation primary, the focus now shifts to another hallmark of state leadership: Town Meeting. As more than two hundred New Hampshire communities gear up for this traditional event, they celebrate one of the world's purest forms of democracy, where residents directly participate in legislative decisions from budgets, zoning, and more. Through this process of governing, often joined by shared meals and community awards, Granite Staters sustain the small-town unity that historically has been such a big part of our state’s culture of involvement at the local level.
Despite its roots in the 1600s and a cornerstone of local engagement, Town Meeting still faces challenges similar to those affecting civic systems nationwide, with declining attendance worrying officials who champion its significance. In response, a nonpartisan coalition of state and local officials has compiled a handbook that aims to make some well- tested best practices more widely accessible.
“I came to New Hampshire with a requirement to work in a town with Town Meeting.” Hanover’s Town Manager Alex Torpey, who moved to the Upper Valley from New Jersey in 2022, explains the impetus for the project. “I’ve been fascinated with the process for years, and since coming here, have learned so much from the experience of others who have been leaders in their communities for years or decades. I also heard a lot of differing ideas from people about declining numbers, and what the rules and best practices are, which we wanted to organize and provide to anyone interested.”
The best practices were sourced from nearly two dozen Town Managers, Clerks, and Moderators in New Hampshire, as well as Vermont, through organizations such as the Municipal Management Association of New Hampshire and the New Hampshire City and Town Clerks Association, as well as independently. The handbook was reviewed by the New Hampshire Municipal Association, New Hampshire Secretary of State, and the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration. The New Hampshire Attorney General’s office provided advice about the project as well, though they did not perform a review of the handbook, specifically.
Margaret Byrnes, the Executive Director of the New Hampshire Municipal Association shared that “So many policies that affect our everyday lives are made at the local level, and voters have more influence over these decisions than they may realize. And you don’t need to be a parliamentarian or skilled orator to participate in your town meeting and raise your voice (and your hand)! As the association of all New Hampshire’s cities and towns, NHMA has resources to support local officials in running town meeting—and in effectively running local government throughout the year. We’re pleased to be part of this collaborative effort with Hanover, state agencies, and municipal managers to raise awareness and share best practices for a great town meeting!”
New Hampshire Secretary of State Dave Scanlon, whose office helped provide advice and support of this initiative, commented that “New Hampshire elections are well-run and transparent because they are carried out on the local level by locally elected officials. The Secretary of State’s Office is here to support those officials in their successful efforts to protect our democracy.”
Officials hope this guide will inspire and support local leaders, media, and citizens to find ways to increase engagement in Town Meetings, preserving New Hampshire's democratic foundation and fostering community collaboration. They anticipate making new ideas and resources available as well in future updates.
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You can download a copy of the free Handbook: nhtownmeeting.com. Reach out to Alex Torpey for more information at: alex.torpey@hanovernh.org.
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