Special projects and assignments in the Documenters Network can take many shapes, from shorter-term interview and survey projects to deep-dive data and analysis opportunities for Documenters to skill up and contribute to published reporting. These projects are opportunities for Documenters to develop new skills outside of public meeting coverage and deepen relationships to local communities and each other.

The Local Government 101 Civic Guides, our first large-scale special project, are a resource for community members to easily access information on how different public agencies function, when public meetings are held, and how to contact these agencies. Community members should not need to dig and spend hours researching information, emailing, and calling to find a Zoom link or get a confirmation on the next public hearing. NWK Documenters filled this gap by standing firm as the eyes and ears of the city. They collected and organized information to create this public resource and foster more accessibility.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT 101: CIVIC GUIDES