Learn to testify at City Hall

The group A Functional Democracy is training newbie activists to learn how to speak out at City Council meetings.  The goal of First-Time Testifiers Night is “to bring 150 Austinites, who have never testified at a City Council meeting before, to City Hall to make their voices heard.” No prior knowledge of local government or public speaking is necessary, just “a desire to make your community a better place to live.” In addition to democracy training, the event features music, food and drink, a photo booth, art and costumes. Those who want to participate should register on Eventbrite and/or sign up for text message service by texting localgov to 474747. Subscribers will receive “a series of educational videos leading up to the event, in order to help them prepare to write a well-informed testimony.” Find more information here. Wednesday, Dec. 11, 5:30-9 p.m., Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second St.