Connecting with the Councilmember

Connecting with the Councilmember

A quick guide to all the ways to engage with Councilmember Jani Hitchen

In a time when algorithms, filters and just our human brains are being inundated by information, I wanted to share all the different ways to engage with me as an elected. Whether you connect in-person, through written word from emails or blogs, watching a video or social media, the goal is to engage.

In-Person: Of course, you are welcome to attend any of the Council or committee meetings we hold. This often allows time for public comment on legislation, or even on our regular or special Council meetings there is time called Community Forum. The easiest way (in my opinion) to track when our meetings are happening is through our calendar. It allows you to see dates, times, and links to Zoom options along with addresses for meetings in the event it is a special meeting happening in a different location.

There are so many other ways to connect with me. At the end of the day, I represent over 130,000 people in District 6 and work on behalf of almost 1 million people in Pierce County, and I obviously cannot meet or speak with everyone. But when I have meetings, events or people want to talk to me, I work hard to connect. Here are some additional ways to do so.

LinkTree: http://bit.ly/cmhitchen

Virtual Calendar: I have recently started using AddEvent to provide a way to share community meeting times and places. If you want to sign-up to follow my calendar, that is an option. This is a new tool for my office, so there are only 2 events scheduled so far, but I hope to use it to make it easier for those that use digital calendars OR are not on social media to keep up with me.

Social Media: Love it or hate it, or somewhere in between; I make a point of using a couple of platforms to help engage community in the happenings of the Council and sharing what I am up to.

  • Facebook Page: While I don’t engage in debates with community on my Facebook page, I love to share when I am out in community and provide information. I will occasionally answer questions if the answers are simple, but really try and do any back-and-forth communication through email. https://www.facebook.com/CMJaniHitchen
  • Instagram: I am going to be transparent here. I do not do much more with Instagram than share photos and videos of events, activities and opportunities. I love posting photos and videos when I am out and about so people can see what I am working on, or what I am up to. https://www.instagram.com/cmjanihitchen/
  • X (formally Twitter): I share my newsletter and often re-tweet posts from other Pierce County electeds and community members that are supportive of the work I am doing OR that I think directly impacts those I represent. Like Facebook, I do not use this platform to debate back and forth but will occasionally comment on things. CMJaniHitchen (@CMJaniHitchen) / X

Newsletter: I send out a newsletter every other week like clockwork. I started this when I first got elected, and except the 6 months I was prohibited from doing so due to campaign rules, I have published one every other Thursday for 5 years. My newsletter is used to educate, share, solicit feedback and in general keep the community informed. I also highlight local District 6 events that are often free and open to the public and occasionally look beyond the borders of District 6.  If you have not subscribed, please do so. I promise not to Spam you. You can subscribe here.

The Hitchen Post: Maybe you stumbled onto this entry, or followed a link in a newsletter or on a note card I sent to your home (being mailed the first week in December). However you got here, this is the Hitchen Post. I use this blog to provide a long-form essay style communication on all kinds of topics. The goal is to do a deeper dive on topics and use it to share more photos or media and explain things. I have a variety of topics from public health to homelessness, from gun control to this entry on how to engage. You can review the different entries here. https://blog.co.pierce.wa.us/janihitchen/

Zooming Into Pierce: Earlier this year I began a short-form video series that focuses on learning how county government works. Because we were about to start budget, I focused on that, but as we continue, I will move onto other areas. I share them on my social media, but if you do not use social media, I have them as play list within the Council’s YouTube Channel. I have talked about everything from property taxes to car tabs, how budgets are developed and more. Zooming Into Pierce – YouTube If you have questions or ideas for future videos, send them my way!

In-Person Connecting: Over the last 5 years, I have held dozens of in-person small and large group meetings, virtual meetings, chatted on the phone, sat down for coffee or ridden on the ferry all while discussing county business. I encourage the community to email my office, or call and either Annette or I will do our best to connect or get back to you. We work hard to respond quickly and provide answers. And while not every answer provided is what you might have hoped for, we aim to respond!

While I don’t use all forms of social media, and I certainly can’t be everywhere, I do try my best to provide multiple ways for the community to engage, respond and connect with me and my office. Every way that I can, I try to reach out so that I am able to connect with my constituents.

If you have ideas for other ways, let me know. Have a wonderful holiday season!

Jani