Civic Engagement is individual and collective actions designed to identity and address issues of public concerns. Civic is defined as "of or related to the duties or activities of people in relation to town, city, or local area.

Examples of Civic Engagement:

~Community Problem Solving

~ Volunteering

~ Active membership in groups or organizations

~ Voting

~ Encouraging others to vote

~ Displaying buttons, signs, stickers in support of something or someone

~ Campaigning

~ Political organizing

~ Protesting

~ Boycotting

~ Canvassing

~ Contacting officials

The Civic Engagement Committee is an official Occupy Los Angeles committee which was proposed on 9/27 and approved on 9/28 at Pershing Square during the pre-planning stage before the Oct 1, 2011 occupation of LA City Hall.

So far we have be able to work on a variety of civic activities.

We have influenced 5 LA City Council files in a 5 week period. 1) City Bond Program 2) First-Amendment Rights / Occupy Los Angeles 3) Responsible Banking Ordinance 4) Corporate Activities in Electoral Processes 5) Financial Institutions and Banks / Illegal Actions / City Cost

We are working on an anti-paid-lobbyist ordinance. And doing research on the influence of lobbying groups like Central City Association on City and State government.

Also, we are working on a Public Records Project in which we submit our own documents to the Occupy LA Resolution. We are also working on a public records request as well.

We also participated in a City Ethics Commission meeting about campaign financing. We are also helping concerned citizens file official complaints against law enforcement agents. We're also working to build strong connections with the Demands/Objectives Committee, the Action Committee, and the Research Committee.

Our meetings are Thursdays and Saturdays at 6pm at Pitfire Pizza on second floor. This pizza place is located on the south-west corner of Main & 2nd st. Location may change as the Occupation moves.

We also hold 3 Strategic Planning Sessions a week on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 11am. The Monday and Thursday Sessions are at Pitfire pizza (upstairs). We need a location for our Saturday Sessions now that the City Hall encampment has been closed.

We also have a sub-committee focused on non-violence strategic planning which meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon. I think they are also meeting a Pitfire Pizza.

There are Public Comments opportunities during LA City Council meetings most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10am.

You can contact the Civic Engagement Committtee at occupyLAcivicEngagement@gmail.com. We have a list serv and a text alert system. Email us to join.

I am a member of Occupy Los Angeles (OLA), that joined 9/25/11 in the pre-planning stages at Pershing Square. I started 3 official committees and have taken an active role ever since. I started the Civic Engagement Committee and I am starting this ustream to broadcast anything of importance like police raids.

Please join us!