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

[John W.]

The way I read the Podesta letter, you (as an individual or as an
organization) can at a minimum submit your suggestions for their perusal and
publication on their web site.  If your organization is deemed to be
important enough, however they define that, then you could also actually
meet physically with some member(s) of the Obama transition team.  See below
under "Scope":

2. Meetings: The date and organizations represented at official meetings in
the Transition headquarters or agency offices, with any documents presented
as noted above.

With all due respect, I doubt that AWARE would be deemed important enough
for a personal meeting, but you never know.  I'm guessing that such
face-to-face meetings are reserved for national organizations like the ACLU,
the Sierra Club, etc.

John Wason



On Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 12:03 PM, Barbara kessel <barkes at gmail.com> wrote:

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
>>
>>
>>
>>    [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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