A High School Project for the Course in Government: Monitor the City Council or School Board. Post Summaries on Your Site.
March 20, 2010
I assume that you are a sophomore or junior. You will at some point be forced to take a course in government. Here is a project that will make you unique in the class.
Most courses require you to study the national government: Constitution, procedures, legal system. That takes half the year. The other half covers state and local government. This project fulfills this requirement.
You get approval from the teacher at the beginning of the term. This project is to fulfill the second semester's term paper assignment. If there is no term paper, the project is for extra credit. It will mark you as unique in the classroom, but only if you deliver the goods.
The project involves three steps: (1) set up a website or blog site; (2) attend the meetings (or watch on cable TV); (3) post a summary of your notes on what you heard within 24 hours.
1. Create the Website. It is best to have your own site. This requires a domain name. You can get one cheap by searching Google for "domain name registration" and "discount." At the top of the page there will be ads for cheap registration. GoDaddy always has an ad. It's 30% off the usual price. Maybe you can find something cheaper.Next, you must find a hosting service. Most important is this: it lets you install WordPress. Second, it should offer a program to do this. The most common one is Fantastico. It is part of the widely used cPanel. A YouTube video on this is here.
Third, go to www.WordPress.org and download the free program.
Fourth, find a free "theme" or template for WordPress. This lets you create the site the way you want. A good one is Atahualpa. A YouTube video series on using WordPress and Atahualpa is here.
You are now ready for step 2.
2. Attend the Meetings. Not many people do. Sit wherever you will not draw attention. After meeting three, they will know you. If anyone asks, say you are there as part of your course in civics.
Take extensive notes. Pick up copies of any handouts of official papers.
Say nothing. This is crucial. Just sit there and take notes. If you use a computer that lets you record voice, so much the better. If you use a note-filing program such as Microsoft OneNote or NoteScribe, this is good.
3. Post the Summaries. Do not comment. Just summarize. If you have an opinion, do not voice it. Just quote another city council person who raises the same concern.
If there is an official document, scan it in, create a PDF, and post a link to it. You will need a cheap scanner. Visioneer is cheap. You can create free PDFs with numerous programs. Search Google for create PDF freeware. If the program puts an ad at the bottom, so what?
If you want space for comments by site visitors, WordPress allows this.
Word will get out that you offer this service. After three meetings, send a letter to the local weekly newspaper that briefly describes your site. If there are free Thrifty Nickel-type papers, notify them.
At the end of the term, find another student to take over the site. Make it a permanent fixture in the community. Do this before the term ends or over the summer. Teach your replacement the ropes.
You keep ownership of the site. At some point, you can post ads if there is enough traffic. Local businesses need ways to promote their services. Get creative.
If you are really dedicated, you can create a YouTube channel. Devote it to your commentary on what is going on in the city council. Set up a separate Website for your commentary. Embed your YouTube videos. But do this only after you graduate.
Let site visitors subscribe to an RSS feed. Start a newsletter using Outlook initially, then Aweber.com.
Who knows? This could be a platform for your political career. Run for city council at age 25. People will know you.
The original site can become a stepping stone to local influence.