While your local government signs off on decisions that impact your life, Cincinnati Documenters have been there to get you the information you need.
Documenters follow the money so you don’t have to. We are here to cover meetings no other local media is covering. And you can read all of our notes for free on the Signal Cincinnati web site.
Our work aims to make information about how your local government operates more accessible. We publish notes in an effort to hold elected officials accountable and encourage locals to become more civically engaged in their community.
October marks one year since Documenters started reporting about Cincinnati. Here’s what we’ve been up to.
What are Documenters?
Documenters programs in 30 cities nationwide train and pay citizens to take notes at public meetings. Residents work with an editor to publish the notes online, and they are free for the public to view – there is never a paywall.
Anyone can learn to be a Documenter. Each assignment pays $18 an hour, up to $72 per assignment, depending on the length of the meeting.
Cincinnati Documenters cover Cincinnati City Council and its committees, Hamilton County commissioners, Cincinnati community councils, the school board, and other meetings of public interest. We’re expanding where we cover meetings, too.
Documenters is powered by City Bureau, a national nonprofit organization reimagining civic participation and local media. The Cincinnati Documenters program is part of the nonprofit Signal Ohio, which has newsrooms in Akron and Cleveland and a Statewide bureau. Signal is also opening newsrooms in Cincinnati and Columbus. Notes from Documenters guide what reporters cover in their respective communities.
What Cincinnati Documenters have covered
We were there when Cincinnati City Council grappled with pressure to fund public safety after a physical fight Downtown made national news. We were there when Hamilton County commissioners signed a lease with the Cincinnati Bengals for Paycor Stadium while the team threatened to leave the city. (We also noted Hamilton County officials’ concerns about money the Ohio Legislature directed to help the Cleveland Browns build a new stadium.)
In addition to other stories you’ve heard about in other local media, Documenters have covered issues that didn’t make headlines but were important nonetheless.
- Hamilton County and Cincinnati expect a combined $26 million in opioid settlement money over 18 years.
- Bond Hill residents expressed skepticism about plans for new housing.
- Community organizers opposed a Hyde Park Square development plan.
- Sleep lots – Cincinnati schools offer safe parking lots and restroom facilities for student families temporarily experiencing homelessness.
- The Cincinnati Boys & Girls Clubs launched a $50 million campaign to expand programming for youth as well as renovate facilities and invest in staff.
How to get involved
You can find more information about becoming a Documenter here. All of our work is available at Documenters.org and Signalcincinnati.org. Join us – and flex those civic muscles!
