Can I really influence local policy? How?
It’s easy to feel powerless and overwhelmed by what happens in Washington, D.C., and Nashville. But the good news is, you can really make a difference right here in Chattanooga. As the Chairwoman of our City Council, Raquetta Dotley told us a few weeks ago: “I want (Chattanoogans) to know their voice really, really does matter.”
You don’t have to run for office to make an impact. (Although that’s always an option. Learn more about running for office here.) There are plenty of conventional – and unconventional – ways to use your voice and make a difference.
Boards and commissions
City boards and commissions serve as advisory bodies to the city government. They oversee anything from air pollution to our wastewater system, and anyone can apply for an open seat, although some seats require certain qualifications (for instance, there's a vacancy for an urban designer on the form-based code committee). Find board and commission vacancies here.
Neighborhood associations
Neighborhood associations can help you stay informed about issues affecting your area and can develop community support around shared concerns. Don’t have a neighborhood association? Get the process started by emailing neighborhoodsvcs@chattanooga.gov.
Social media
If traditional ways of getting involved don’t sound appealing, there are other creative ways to start conversations on topics important to you. Ever considered getting the word out on social media? Here are three homegrown accounts advocating for different issues:
Talk to City Council
You can also reach out to your City Council representative by email. Council Chair Raquetta Dotley said people underestimate the impact their feedback can have — she considers hearing from just a few constituents on a topic to be significant engagement.
Find your Council member here and contact information here.
- Answered by William Newlin, william@chattamatters.com