Mission Accomplished!

(Or, how I learned to stop yelling at bureaucracy and start winning)

Ever feel like you’re shouting into the void when dealing with local government?

Yeah, me too.

But here’s a story about how a little patience, a lot of persistence, and a well-timed deep breath got me a win I didn’t know would happen.

I used to serve on the Brookview Neighborhood Association board, where I learned that making any meaningful progress in local politics is like trying to run with a case of runner’s trot—uncomfortable, slow, messy, at times embarrassing, and requiring careful decision-making.

Still, I picked up two key skills: patience and persistence.

And trust me, I needed both for what came next.

For five months—five months—Waco’s boards and commissions hadn’t met.

Meetings from March through June were canceled.

July wasn’t even on the calendar to be canceled.

I’d last met with the Boards and Commissions Committee in January, followed up with them after their February meeting, and again in June (thinking they’d have one then), and … crickets.

I was getting antsy.

Okay, fine, I was getting annoyed.

I’d brought them Shipley’s Donuts before it was sold to a California company, damn it!

I’d even drafted a fiery (but mostly peaceful) protest post on Substack titled something like “Dear Waco Government, Do Your Job Already!”

But then I had a moment of clarity: If I’m the one asking for something here and have no authority or mandate, then I don’t exactly have the upper hand, do I?

So, instead of hitting publish and risking a future awkward encounter – I mean, most are already awkward, but that’s due to my lack of proper socializing – I played nice.

I politely reached out to the Waco City Secretary, Michelle Hicks, and asked, “Any reason the committee hasn’t met in half a year?”

To my shock, I got a quick reply.

Turns out, she wasn’t there due to medical reasons, which caused the delays.

Fair enough, life happens.

But not only did I get an explanation, I got great news.

The Waco Boards and Commissions Committee is set to pass the attendance standardization suggestions I proposed back in January.

On Tuesday, August 26 at 9 a.m., no less.

I nearly dropped my coffee, which, by the way, also gave me runner’s trot.

If you’re wondering what I was trying to do, my post on the subject recaps it and even the progress one, but as of right now, attendance records for these meetings are a confusing mess of codes.

Was it canceled due to prior events or a lack of quorum? Who bothered to show up if there was no quorum? Funny third item? Who knows!

My proposal is simple: standardize it so anyone can understand it.

Here’s what it’ll look like:

• A - QC = Absent - No Quorum, Meeting Cancelled

• P - QC = Present - No Quorum, Meeting Cancelled

• QC = Quorum, Meeting Cancelled

• C = Cancelled before agenda posted

• A = Absent

• P = Present

It’s a small but influential change impacting more than 30 boards and commissions in Waco, which will have a ripple through every facet of the city’s decisions.

Plus, the council already tweaked some things based on my earlier suggestions.

Now, this new system will be recommended for approval on August 26, and the city council (same people, different hats) will give it the final nod in early September.

I don’t know when it’ll officially kick in, but I’m calling it a win.

I should be able to make the August 26 meeting, but even if I can’t, you should join me.

Show up at 9 a.m., meet the council and heads of boards and commissions, and see how the sausage gets made (or at least how attendance codes get standardized).

Then, watch for the September city council meeting when they seal the deal for real.

I’m hoping to swing by that one. It feels a little like a law getting passed. Pretty cool.

So, what did I learn?

· First, I get that we are citizens, and our elected officials work for us, but being nice can actually work. No need to be a dickhead making demands.

· Second, don’t assume bad motives or laziness. Find out first what’s going on.

· Third, patience. This is the government. They have to check with attorneys, get approval from subcommittees, committees, boards, commissions, etc. That’s the game.

· Fourth, small victories matter because they build you confidence and future credit.

· Finally, if you’re persistent (and maybe a little lucky), you can move the needle in local government.

Why You Should Care

It’s a minor win, but also a step toward more transparent government.

It’s not about tooting my horn - and no, that’s not a euphemism. (I got all the poop jokes out of me, and I feel lighter, thank you very much.)

It’s proof that one person can make a difference, even if it takes a few months, some polite emails, and showing up to a meeting with donuts.

What You Can Do

• Swing by the August 26 meeting at 9 a.m. at Waco City Hall to support the proposal.

• Or the Waco Convention Center, Bosque Theater, on Tuesday, September 2, at 6 p.m.

• Watch your local boards and commissions meeting to see the change in attendance records and hopefully, a later increase in attendance!

• Share this link with anyone who’s ever felt like giving up on bureaucracy.

Thanks to those of you who stuck with me on this journey since January!

So once that’s done, what’s the next mission?