Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend

@townmoderator.bsky.social

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Moderator, Town of Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Elected in 2015, 1st woman elected to preside over Longmeadow's open Town Meeting. Advocate for local democracy. Fun fact: shortest town meeting was conducted under my watch. Personal: @rmtownsend.bsky.social

Photos of two old documents, warrants from Town Meetings held in 1774 and 1776, called in His Majesty's Name and later in the Name of the People of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Massachusetts Moderators Association ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, I AM PLEASED TO CONFER UPON YOU THIS GOVERNOR'S CITATION IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR ORGANIZATION'S LONG HISTORY OF PROMOTING PEACEFUL AND DELIBERATIVE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. AS YOU PROGRESS THE "SPARK OF A REVOLUTION" INITIATIVE IN COMMEMORATION OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND THE FIRST TOWN MEETING IN DORCHESTER ON OCTOBER 8, 1633, WE COMMEND THE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS MADE IN LEADING THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND INFORMATION THROUGHOUT THE TOWNS OF MASSACHUSETTS, AND THE PATIENT AND TACTFUL WAY IN WHICH YOUR MEMBERS NAVIGATE THESE VITAL COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS. WE WISH YOU CONTINUED SUCCESS IN HOSTING VIBRANT DISCUSSIONS AND ENSURING EVERYONE'S VOICES ARE HEARD. THIS EIGHTH DAY OF OCTOBER IN THE YEAR 2025 MAURA T. HEALEY Governor KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL Lieutenant Governor
A Proclamation Whereas French diplomat, historian, and philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville stated, “Town meetings are to liberty what primary schools are to science; they bring it within the people’s reach” emphasizing the significant role of town meetings within society; and Whereas, Town meetings have served residents both for routine matters and in times of crisis by coming to public judgement on matters of self-governance; and Whereas, The notion of participatory democracy was a foundational rationale for the American Revolution; and Whereas Revolutionaries learned to engage in deliberation with each other to further their communities’ causes and pledged their lives and liberties to the principles of self-governance in their efforts for freedom; and Whereas, The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were crafted by town meeting members who sought to bring the precepts of participatory self-determination and democracy to the scripture of our founding documents; and Whereas, The town meeting legislature and the principles it embodies are as vital and relevant today as they were amidst the founding of our nation, Now, Therefore, I, Maura T. Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim October 8th, 2025, to be, TOWN MEETING DAY And urge all the residents of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance. Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this first day of October, in the year two thousand and twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and forty-ninth. By Her Excellency Maura T. Healey Governor of the Commonwealth Kimberley Driscoll Lt. Governor of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin Secretary of the Commonwealth God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Little Voter's Lounge Fun for Kids While the Grown-Ups Vote! Tuesday, September 9, 2025 VHO: Grades K-5 - children of registered Longmeadow voters WHAT: Crafts . Homework Help . Games . Peanut-Free Snacks . Social Time . Special "Kids Vote"! WHEN: Opens 1 hour before the Special Town Meeting closes 30 minutes after it ends WHERE: Longmeadow High School- Small Gymnasium COST: FREE - Pre-registration required HERE LIMIT: First 50 participants - Waitlist available While you attend the Special Town Meeting, your kids will enjoy a safe, engaging evening filled with activities and fun! Hosted by Longmeadow Parks & Recreation and High School Key Club the
Screenshot Special Town Meeting Tuesday, September 9, 2025 7:00P Longmeadow High School Gymnasium Visit www.longmeadowma.govTownMeeting to view theWarrant
Poster with photos of 2 people, Jesse Cummings, Owner Titan Fence Rebecca M. Townsend, Ph.D., Moderator Town of Longmeadow, MA CITIZEN POWER: Advocacy in Action in Longmeadow, MA June's Monthly Webinar 06.06.2025 12 PM ET/9AM PT Stories Change Power
Man in a Veterans hat at a microphone behind a lectern speaks while 4 men and 1 woman look on smiling. The woman is taking a photo.
Posters on a wall
TOWN MEETING HOW LJBEAEAISSA TE I N LEGISLATURE Longmeadow's Town Meeting voters determine the budget and bylaws for our community through delilberation and voting on motions shaped during the meeting. Citizens have the power to decide what kind of Town they want by participating: Longmeadow is a wonderful community due to the decisions Town Meeting makes. 1. REGISTER TO VOTE Citizens must be registered to vote in Longmeadow at least 10 days before Town Meeting to participate If you are already registered to vote you are all set! 2. SHOW UP Arrive at Longmeadow High School Gymnasium by 7:00 PM. The Annual Town Meeting is always the 2"d Tuesday in May A Special Town Meeting is usually in October or November. 3. SIGN IN Give your name and address to the Clerk's Office staff member or volunteer who greets you as you enter. They will give you anything you need to participate TAKE A SEAT Choose a seat on a bleacher or chair on the main floor. Adult non-voter visitors may sit in the Visitor's Section. Children may sit with parents or guardians. The Moderator will run the meeting. Rules are printed on the back of the agenda (called the "warrant"). 5. ONCE THE MEETING BEGINS Each topic Article" " willl need to be 'moved" and seconded" before talking about it. Motions may be slightly different than what is printed in the warrant. Motions may also be amended. 7 6. EVERY VOTER HAS THE RIGHT.. to speak (or not), suggest changes to the motion (or not) and vote or not). 7. TO SPEAK: Go to a mic in the center of the Gym. They are marked green (in favor), yellow (ask questions/make motions), or red (opposed). Wait for the Moderator to recognize you, State your name and address. Stay on topic and within time. 8. TO VOTE: The Moderator will tell everyone when it is time to vote. Voting is done by use of an electronic clicker. The Moderator wil declare the outcome of each vote.
State of Georgia Secretary Executive Department By His Excellency GEO OP Marvin Griffin 1776 Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of this State and of the Militia thereof. To J. E. CARTER, JR. Esq., Greeting: By Virtue of the Power and Authority in me Vested by the Constitution and Laws of this State, and in pursuance of your election, I do hereby commission you as a MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION of the County of SUMTER for the term beginning. December 6, 1955 and ending June 15, 1959. MY THE GOVERNOR: Bou J. Wiggin YOU ARE, therefore, hereby authorized and required to do and perform all and singular the duties incumbent on you as a MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION of the County aforesaid, according to law and the trust reposed in you. This Commission to con- tinue in force for and during the term pointed out by the Constitution and Laws of the State aforesaid, and above expressed, or until removed in accordance with the same. Given under my hand and seal of the Executive Department at the Capitol, in the City of Atlanta, the twenty-ninth day of December in the year of our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty-five. State Superintendent of Schools Governor