Capital B Gary launched one month ago, and we’ve already reported on the local election, the Gary Community School Corporation, and environmental challenges. We’re preparing to launch Gary Documenters, a program that will pay residents $20 an hour to take notes at public meetings. This initiative is part of a broader effort to promote community involvement and civic engagement.
We’re the 15th newsroom to join the Documenters network, which was started in 2018 by City Bureau, an organization on the South Side of Chicago that offers journalism training to residents.
Why bring Documenters to Gary?
Government agencies in Gary host a smattering of important public meetings every month — about schools, public safety, economic development, health, housing, and other vital issues. But so many meetings are unattended by media outlets, leaving community members in the dark about what decisions city officials are making about these important issues.
That’s why we’re rolling out a solution — training and paying folks like you to attend these meetings and join our community of documenters. We’ll work with you to share what you find, by posting your notes on our Gary Documenters site, or using them in stories for Capital B Gary
Don’t worry if you’ve never taken notes at a public meeting before. No experience necessary.
We’re looking for everyday Gary citizens who want to be the eyes and ears of their community and inform their neighbors.
Here’s how to get involved
Fill out the form below or email our editor, Javonte Anderson, at javonte.anderson@capitalbnews.org. We’ll keep you in the loop about upcoming opportunities to join our Documenters team and attend paid training, workshops, and other events we’re planning as we ramp up.
Sign up today, and help your neighbors understand how decisions get made in Gary!