A recent report from the Washington State Department of Health gives a grim picture of the impact of Covid-19 on behavioral health as of early 2021. After an initial honeymoon, we collectively entered the disillusionment phase of this disaster, with emotional responses plummeting. While the vaccines are giving some hope, people are suffering. Their well- being, and their behavior, are showing the strain.

We’re certainly seeing this in local government. City councils and other public boards across the nation are the target of anger and upset from the public. The governing bodies themselves are sometimes struggling to keep their equanimity and respond adequately to the challenging problems they face.

City leaders can show compassionate leadership during this particularly intense time, in part, by continuing to lead public meetings in an orderly way. Here are a few tips.

It can be hard to maintain equal opportunity for all to speak when passions run high, but you must. The chair needs to keep a cool head and focus on facilitating the discussion.

Ensure fair discussion at meetings.
It is vital to hold free and fair discussion at your meetings. Be sure that every board member has an equal chance to speak, and that the minority is not marginalized in discussion. It can be hard to maintain equal opportunity for all to speak when passions run high, but you must. The chair needs to keep a cool head and focus on facilitating the discussion.

Manage public comment effectively.
When people are upset, public comment sessions can be challenging. Always remember that the purpose of public comment is to hear the views of your community, not to get into dialogue with them. For some potential talking points, see “Finishing School,” at left.

When an issue is very inflamed, the regular public comment period may be insufficient. You may want to schedule an additional public forum on the subject to preserve the board’s time to work at its regular tasks.

Absorb the pain, and don’t pass it on.
It’s not easy to be the target of public pressure. Don’t lash out or retaliate when you feel hurt. Just acknowledge that times are tough, your local government is doing the best that it can, and you are doing the best that you can. And recommit to serving your community, even in these challenging times.

Your commitment to something bigger than the individuals caught in the current moment—to the greater good—will sustain you even in the worst of times.

Ann G. Macfarlane offers consulting and training services on local government meetings through jurassicparliament.com. Her background as a diplomat and Russian translator enables her to provide insights to elected officials, citizen volunteers, and staff across the nation.