What a Volunteer Does at WATAG

Who attends

WATAG welcomes volunteers who want to learn how public institutions work. Volunteers come from different backgrounds and bring an interest in reading government documents.

What a volunteer learns

Reading a budget record. A volunteer learns to find a state or local government budget. They study the allocations for health and education. They practise tracking the spending through each financial cycle.

Studying a policy document. A volunteer learns to read a bill or a law. They walk through each section to understand its meaning. They build skill in identifying the parts that affect women and communities.

Preparing questions for a public meeting. A volunteer learns to write clear questions for a ministry or a committee. They practise framing each question around a specific document or decision. They take up the method of sending questions in writing and recording the answers.

How a session runs

A volunteer joins a weekly reading group. The group meets to study a current budget or a new policy document. Each member reads a section and notes the key points.

The group then writes a set of questions for the relevant public office. The volunteer drafts one or two questions based on their reading. The group reviews each question for clarity and relevance.

What a volunteer leaves with

A volunteer leaves with a reading notebook containing their notes on several public documents. They hold a practised letter with questions they have prepared for a public institution. They carry the experience of working with a team to understand how public decisions are made.