Public meetings shape our schools, our streets, and the Philadelphia city budget. But right now, most of these meetings go completely unrecorded.
The Philadelphia Documenters program is changing that. We train and pay everyday residents to attend public sessions, take accurate notes, and publish them so everyone knows what’s happening behind closed doors. Built on City Bureau’s national model and previously housed at Resolve Philly, the program has officially found its permanent home at the Committee of Seventy.
To kick off this exciting new chapter, the Committee of Seventy invites you to our official public launch event. Whether you are a returning Documenter or entirely new to civic reporting, this event is designed to show you just how easy it is to participate. This is something anyone can do.
What to Expect:
- Program Overview: C70 President & CEO Lauren Cristella, Temple University’s Sarah Alvarez, and Program Manager Heather Bowlan will share why C70 is the ideal home for Philly Documenters, the importance of the Klein College collaboration, and how to get involved in upcoming coverage.
- Interactive Stations: Enjoy light refreshments, grab a “Documenters Passport,” and move at your own pace to connect with veteran Documenters, explore civic coverage priorities, and enter a prize raffle.
- On-Site Registration: Pick up a welcome folder and sign up on the spot for an upcoming onboarding orientation.
Admission is free, but registration is required. Light refreshments will be provided. Space is limited at the Ethical Society, so please reserve your free ticket today.
