Muni News
VOLUME 90, ISSUE 5  - SUMMER 2000

The League's Web Site Can Help You Be A Better Citizen
By David Bangs, Trustee and Web Site Editor

A big part of the League's mission is to help inform people about local government issues, and help them make better decisions at the polls. To do that over the years, we have relied on newsletters, flyers, and coverage of our positions in newspapers. But, the Internet gives us the ability to do much more! This year, we have kept this potential in mind and moved our web site forward dramatically. If you can, bring up our site www.munileague.org and follow along!

Research Issues on the Web

The Internet is full of information that can help you learn more about the issues facing our area. It is our goal to help you find the best sites! For example, did you know that you could easily find any article that has been published in a daily newspaper? Did you know that there are web sites with pro and con arguments for almost any ballot issue you will face? Many candidates have their own web sites too, but voters may have a difficult time finding all this information. Our web site can help you. Just start with the "Do Your Own Research" section on the front page, and you're on your way. We won't just link you to newspapers - we'll link you right to newspaper search pages you can use to find information! And we've also linked directly to some of the best articles that have appeared in papers this year about ballot issue.

The Power of E-Mail

E-Mail provides us with the absolute fastest way to notify our members and friends when we take a stand, or offer new information. For many people, it is also a very convenient way to receive information - since it is possible to click on links in the e-mail to gain access to very specific information, rather than reading a whole booklet covering all the candidates from all districts. If you would like to join our e-mail list just follow the simple instructions on the first page of our web site! (Been to www.munileague.org yet?)

Have Access to All the League's Reports

You've probably received lots of reports and newsletters from the League over time. But unless you're a librarian or work in the League's office, you probably don't have access to past publications about issues or candidates. Unless you go to our web site! Not only does the site give you access to years of information produced by the League, but it is all searchable - so you can find the information you need! For example, click on the "Search This Site" button and search for "I-695" button. You'll see everything the League has said about that initiative! Or click on "Muni News", "Issues Briefs", "Ballot Issues", or "Candidate Evaluation" to directly view past publications by date and subject.

Be More Involved in the League

If you'd like to be more involved in the League, or just learn more about it, our web site has information for you. Click to "About the League" for the League's Mission Statement, history (there's a lot of it), corporate and long term Members, or just to learn how to reach us! Click to "Volunteer Opportunities" to learn how you can help, or simply "Join the League."

Looking Forward

Check back often, because our web site will keep getting better! As the "Taking the Pulse" project is rolled out, people will be able to take polls and review results right on the site. We also hope to allow citizens to debate key local issues on-line - and to make it easy to accomplish tasks like joining the League or renewing a membership without even getting out of your chair.

If you have other ideas about how we can improve our site, please let us know! E-mail the League office at muni@munileague.org , or me directly at webmaster@munileague.org .