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

Sat Dec 6 12:28:36 CST 2008

Barbara,

I was not sure that a virtual seat at the table was what Rachel was
referring to by "arrange a meeting."  If it was, then my comments were off
the mark, although still in my opinion valid.  I should note in my defense
that I did not get the email sent to Rachel and probably others from John D.
Podesta found below when I received Rachel's original post, which is why I
took "arrange a meeting" literally.

From: peace-discuss-bounces at lists.chambana.net
[mailto:peace-discuss-bounces at lists.chambana.net] On Behalf Of Barbara
kessel
Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2008 12:04 PM
To: Rachel Storm
Cc: Peace Discuss
Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] Fwd: Your seat at the table

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's

demonstration.) 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

<http://change.gov/page/m2/3855d405/685ecb1a/2babb44f/5e6bcb60/2532646069/VE
sH/> Error! Filename not specified.

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/VE
sE/> . Most importantly, the American public can weigh in with comments or
their own materials. 

<http://change.gov/page/m2/3855d405/685ecb1a/2babb44f/5e6bcb1e/2532646069/VE
sF/> Read the memo and watch our "Seat at the Table" video: 

<http://change.gov/page/m2/3855d405/685ecb1a/2babb44f/5e6bcb1e/2532646069/VE
sC/> Error! Filename not specified.

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/VE
sD/> 

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/VE
sA/> 

Error! Filename not specified.
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