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Member Spotlight: Observer Corps

Kathleen Morrow | Published on 5/2/2023

OBSERVER CORPS PROFILE

Eileen Marshall, Chair


What the LWVJoCo Observer Corps does  

Observations are conducted by 18 League volunteers either singly or in teams who regularly attend, observe, and report on the meetings of 11 different governing bodies in Johnson County. Observer reports are then included in the monthly LWVJoCo newsletter THE VOTER. 

Observer Corps Chair Eileen Marshall joined the Johnson County League of Women Voters after the 2016 election. She sees the program as offering members an opportunity to not only watch local elected and appointed officials in action, but also to demonstrate the League’s presence and interest in local government. 

What They Observe

League member Eileen Marshall has overseen the management and training of LWVJoCo Observers since 2019. As individuals or in teams, the 18 current Observers watch the following groups:    

Board of County Commissioners

City Councils: Leavenworth

Lenexa

JoCo Mental Health Advisory Board

Water One

School Boards: Shawnee Mission School District

Blue Valley School District

Shawnee Community College

Olathe School District

Other: Library Board

Parks & Recreation

More Observers Needed

Elaine reports that 3-5 new observers are needed to watch the Overland Park City Council, the Johnson County Community College Board of Trustees and the Shawnee City Council. Although there are no formal training sessions, Observers are equipped with guidelines regarding what information to include in observation reports.

How the Observer Corps Makes an Impact

Legislative bodies pay attention to who is watching. As a result of Observer reporting the Johnson County Charter Commission in 2021 chose not to adopt a proposal to change the County Charter and make local races partisan.

“Real Time Reporting”

Elaine notes that establishing “real time reporting” is a program goal. Through it   LWVJoCo membership could be notified when immediate individual advocacy is   needed with respect to an issue being considered by a board or legislative body.

If you are interested in learning more about the program and/or volunteering as an Observer email ObserverCorps@lwvjoco.org.


Eileen Marshall, Observer Corps Committee Chair