City Hall Insider: Engage, Speak, and Participate!

Have you ever wanted to speak at a city council meeting but felt uncertain about the process? Or perhaps you’ve wondered what it’s really like behind the scenes at a City Council Meeting? We have the perfect opportunity for you!

The First-Ever Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the Riverside City Council

We’re excited to invite you to an exclusive, interactive experience designed specifically for community members who want to get more involved in local government. Whether you’re nervous about public speaking or simply curious about how our city operates, this tour is your chance to explore, learn, and practice in a completely pressure-free environment.

What You’ll Experience:

Interactive Tour & Behind-the-Scenes Access

• Guided tour of the council chambers, where all the action happens
• Demonstration of our translation booth and state-of-the-art AV equipment
• Hands-on experience at the podium, where you can see the timer and get the council member’s perspective

Practical Public Speaking Guidance

• Step-by-step walkthrough of speaker cards: we’ll show you what information is required versus what’s optional
• Clear explanation of appropriate topics and language for public comment
• Important insights about the process, including why council members cannot respond to questions during public comment periods

Technology & Process Demonstrations

• Live demonstration of the voting board and what council members see before making decisions
• Explanation of our queuing system designed to streamline meetings
• Overview of the Zoom queue for virtual participants who can’t attend in person
• Tutorial on finding and submitting electronic comments on agenda items

This is more than just a tour – it’s your opportunity to demystify the process, ask all your questions, and gain the confidence to make your voice heard in our community. We will be there every step of the way to ensure you feel comfortable and informed.

Who Should Attend:

• First-time attendees who want to understand the process
• Anyone who’s felt nervous about speaking at public meetings
• Community members curious about how local government works
• Residents who want to be more engaged in civic life
• Everyone!

Space is limited to ensure everyone gets personalized attention and plenty of opportunities to ask questions.

To Reserve Your Spot:

Tuesday, July 22nd – 5:30 PM – Riverside City Council Chambers – RSVP LINK

P.S. Feel free to bring a friend – civic engagement is always better when shared with others who care about our community! Let’s make this the largest turnout for civic training our city has ever seen.