Civic Meetings

Open to everyone. No oath required.

Monthly civic meetings at public libraries. One constitutional issue per meeting. Named minutes published. No hidden agendas, no closed doors.

Monthly Civic Meetings

Penny Knights gather on the Sunday evening closest to each full moon at civic libraries in Phoenix and Chandler. Open to all who have taken the oath or are considering it.

Format

One constitutional issue per meeting. Prepared brief distributed in advance. Open discussion. Named minutes published. No hidden agendas, no closed doors.

When

Sunday evenings, closest to the full moon each month. Regular, predictable, and grounded in natural cycles.

Where

Phoenix and Chandler civic libraries. Public space for public work. Additional chapters welcome as the program grows — every state needs Penny Knights.

How a Meeting Works

90 minutes. Three parts. The first 30 minutes are tightly structured because that is when attention is sharpest. Social time comes after.

Part 1: Structured Forum (30 min)

Open

5 minutes

Names taken. Agenda read. Meeting called to order.

Forum

20 minutes

Structured panel or Q&A on the meeting topic. Invited speakers get up to 15 minutes. Public speakers get up to 5 minutes. Brief distributed in advance.

Public Record

5 minutes

Citizens submit statements, audio, or video for the public record. State your name. Recorded, timestamped, stored.

Part 2: Open Floor + Vote (30 min)

Open Floor

20 minutes

Anyone speaks. 5 minutes max each. No interruptions. Facilitator keeps time.

The Vote

10 minutes

If there is something to decide, vote by name. No anonymous votes. Published in meeting minutes.

Part 3: Mix and Mingle (30 min)

Informal networking and one-on-one conversations. Chapter tables for Shiny, Rusty, and Lost Pennies. Feedback forms available. Volunteer sign-up table. This is where relationships form.

If You Are Coming for the First Time

Meetings are open to everyone — no oath required. Read our community agreement before your first visit. Read the brief before you come. You do not have to speak — listening counts. If you disagree with something, say so directly and respectfully. Bring a neighbor next time.

Request to Speak

If you have an issue, a group of people, or a concern you want to bring publicly to the next meeting, request a speaking slot. Testimony is 3 to 5 minutes. You can speak as an individual or on behalf of a group.

All testimony is subject to our community agreement.

Your request will be reviewed by the meeting coordinator. If approved, your testimony will be recorded and become part of the public civic record.

Public Record

Every meeting is recorded. Every statement is part of the public record. This is how civic accountability works — not through surveillance, but through voluntary, named testimony that citizens choose to place on record.

At the Meeting

Step to the mic. State your name. You have 5 minutes. Audio and video are recorded by the venue volunteer and published within 48 hours.

Before or After

Written statements, audio recordings, and video links can be submitted at any time. They are timestamped and added to the meeting record they reference.

Storage

All public records are stored in the decentralized Library system. Seven-year retention minimum. Your civic record belongs to you.

Submit a Statement

This statement will be timestamped and stored for a minimum of 7 years as part of the public civic record. Your contact information will not be published.

Meeting Feedback

Every chapter improves by listening. If you attended a meeting, tell us what worked and what did not. Your feedback shapes the next meeting. Every submission is read by the chapter coordinator.