[Peace-discuss] Fwd: Your seat at the table

Sat Dec 6 12:03:35 CST 2008

As near as I can tell from exploring this change.gov website, we might be
able to submit our "document" of the demands in the areas of foreign policy,
(which I believe is the flyer for today'sdemonstration.) Supposedly it then
becomes available to the rest of the readers of the website for commentary.
That is what "Seat at the Table" means - it is a virtual seat. why not?
Barbara Kessel

P.S. My understanding of virtual things is pretty limited, so I am waiting
to be corrected about what is possible.

On Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 9:29 AM, Rachel Storm <rstorm2 at illinois.edu> wrote:

> Hm, perhaps we at AWARE should consider putting together a meeting with the
> Obama-Biden team?
>
> Rachel
> International Studies/ Transnational Gender Studies
> WIMSE Program Assistant
> Forte International Exchange Local Rep.
> (630) 677.7219
> 402 S. Race St, Apt. 2
> Urbana, IL. 61801
>
>
>
>    [image: Obama-Biden Transition Team]<http://change.gov/page/m2/3855d405/685ecb1a/2babb44f/5e6bcb60/2532646069/VEsH/>
>
> Dear Rachel,
>
> Everyday, we meet with organizations that present ideas for the Transition
> and the incoming Obama-Biden Administration. In past transitions, meetings
> like this have been held behind closed doors.
>
> Not anymore. Today, every Obama-Biden Transition staff member received a
> memo outlining the "Seat at the Table" Transparency Policy. I've included a
> copy of it below.
>
> The policy is pretty simple: the people and groups we're meeting with, the
> subjects of the meetings, and any documents shared in the meetings will now
> be made available on Change.gov<http://change.gov/page/m2/3855d405/685ecb1a/2babb44f/5e6bcb1f/2532646069/VEsE/>.
> Most importantly, the American public can weigh in with comments or their
> own materials.
>
> *Read the memo and watch our "Seat at the Table" video:*<http://change.gov/page/m2/3855d405/685ecb1a/2babb44f/5e6bcb1e/2532646069/VEsF/>
>
> [image: Watch the Video]<http://change.gov/page/m2/3855d405/685ecb1a/2babb44f/5e6bcb1e/2532646069/VEsC/>
>
> This is our latest step toward a more transparent and accessible
> Transition. We look forward to benefitting from the many more voices that
> will now be a part of the decision-making process.
>
> Thank you,
>
> John
>
> John D. Podesta
> Co-chair
> The Obama-Biden Transition Project
>
> ------------------------------
> *MEMORANDUM*
> From: John Podesta
> To: All Obama-Biden Transition Project Staff
> Date: December 4, 2008
> Re: "Seat at the Table" Transparency Policy -- EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
>
> *Overview:*
> As an extension of the unprecedented ethics guidelines already in place for
> the Obama-Biden Transition Project, we take another significant step towards
> transparency of our efforts for the American people. Every day, we meet with
> organizations who present ideas for the Transition and the Administration,
> both orally and in writing. We want to ensure that we give the American
> people a "seat at the table" and that we receive the benefit of their
> feedback.
>
> Accordingly, any documents from official meetings with outside
> organizations will be posted on our website for people to review and comment
> on. In addition to presenting ideas as individuals at www.change.gov, the
> American people deserve a "seat at the table" as we receive input from
> organizations and make decisions. In the interest of protecting the personal
> privacy of individuals, this policy does not apply to personnel matters and
> hiring recommendations.
>
> *Scope:*
> The following information will be posted on our website:
> 1. Documents: All policy documents1 and written policy recommendations
> from official meetings2 with outside organizations.
> 2. Meetings: The date and organizations represented at official meetings in
> the Transition headquarters or agency offices, with any documents presented
> as noted above.
>
> This scope is a floor, not a ceiling, and all staff are strongly encouraged
> to include additional materials. Such materials could include documents
> (recommendations, press releases, etc.) presented in smaller meetings or
> materials or made public by the outside organization without a connection to
> an official meeting.
>
> If you have any questions as to whether documents should be included,
> please email [REDACTED].
>
> *Process:*
> Prior to an official meeting with an outside organization or organizations,
> Obama-Biden Transition Project staff members will inform attendees that any
> documents provided will be posted on our "Seat at the Table" website found
> at www.change.gov. Suggested language for email invitations is: "By
> presenting or submitting any document at a meeting with the Obama-Biden
> Transition Project, you agree to allow the document to be made public and
> posted on www.change.gov." At the completion of each meeting or upon
> receipt of such documents, Transition staff will provide the documents to
> [REDACTED] with the date of the meeting, a list of the organizations in
> attendance, and the topic of the meeting.
>
> Notes:
> 1) This policy does not apply to non-public or classified information
> acquired from the Agency Review Process and internal memorandum.
> 2) An "official meeting" is defined as a meeting with outside organizations
> or representatives of those organizations to which three or more outside
> participants attend.
>
>
>
>
> Copyright policy<http://change.gov/page/m2/3855d405/685ecb1a/2babb44f/5e6bcb1d/2532646069/VEsD/>
>
> This email was sent to: rstorm2 at uiuc.edu
>
> To unsubscribe, go to: http://www.change.gov/unsubscribe<http://change.gov/page/m2/3855d405/685ecb1a/2babb44f/5e6bcb1c/2532646069/VEsA/>
>
>
>
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