How to stop doomscrolling. . .and start doing something.
1. Show Up
Meetings & Agendas. This is how you see what decisions are being made and who is making them.
City meetings are where things like road projects, development, parks, policing, and budgets get discussed and voted on. You can watch, listen, and sometimes speak, either in person or online.
City Council meetings and documents: https://www.como.gov/Council/Commissions/meetings.php?bcid=56
Meeting dates, agendas, minutes, and videos for City Council are here.
All city of Columbia meetings in one place: https://www.como.gov/city-of-columbia-mo/meetings/
This page shows meetings for different boards, commissions, and committees.
Official Meetings Calendar: https://gocolumbiamo.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
This calendar lets you scroll by date and see exactly what is scheduled.
Action Steps:
- Pick one meeting that sounds interesting and put it on your calendar.
- Click the agenda beforehand and find one item that you care about.
- After the meeting, tell one other person what you learned.
2. Serve
Boards & Commissions. This is how regular residents get a literal seat at the table.
Action Steps:
- Browse the list and find one board that overlaps with something you care about, such as housing, environment, arts, policing, or transportation.
- Check the vacancies page to see if that board is currently looking for members.
- If there is not an opening yet, note the term dates or sign up for alerts so you can apply later.
3. Comment Online
BeHeardCoMo. This is the city’s official online suggestion box and discussion space for projects and plans.
Action Steps:
- Create an account so you can follow projects and get updates.
- Pick one project that affects your daily life, such as your neighborhood, your commute, or a park you use.
- Leave one thoughtful comment that explains what you like, what you are worried about, or what you would change.
Boards and commissions are groups of volunteers who help guide city decisions. They review plans, give recommendations, and sometimes make decisions that affect policy and spending. You do not need a fancy title, just interest and commitment.
Full list of boards and commissions: https://www.como.gov/boards/
See what groups exist and what they do.
Current openings you can apply for: https://www.como.gov/vacancies/
These are the seats the city is trying to fill right now.
BeHeardCoMo is a website where the city posts specific projects and asks residents for feedback. It is like a more organized and official version of a comment section. You can fill out short surveys, drop pins on maps, and leave written comments that staff actually read and use. It is especially helpful if you cannot go to meetings in person or if you prefer to think and type on your own schedule. You can find the website here: https://beheard.como.gov/
What you can expect to find:
- Street and transportation projects
- Parks and trail plans
- Housing and homelessness relief efforts
- Utility and infrastructure updates
- Policy changes that need public input
4. Learn the System
Civic Academy and City Info. This is how you learn what the city actually does and how decisions are made.
If you have ever thought “I do not understand how any of this works,” you are not alone. Civic Academy is designed for people who want to understand the basics of city government, budgets, and services in a hands-on, friendly way.
Civic Academy Program: https://www.como.gov/civic-academy/
A free multisession class where you meet staff, tour facilities, and learn how the city operates.
City Department Information: https://www.como.gov/service/departments/
If you want to explore on your own, you can look at department pages for Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Community Development, Police, Fire, and more.
Action Steps:
- Look at the Civic Academy page and see whether the schedule works for you.
- If you cannot join now, pick one department that touches your concerns and read its overview.
- Write down two questions you would love to ask a city staff member.
5. Connect with People
Community Groups & Advocacy. This is how you find neighbors who care about the same things you do.
A lot of real change happens when groups of people organize around one issue. This might be a neighborhood association, a nonprofit, or a loose group of residents who show up together at meetings.
There is no single master list, but you can usually find groups through social media, word of mouth, or the city and Chamber of Commerce.
Action Steps:
- Think of one issue you care about most, such as housing, transit, the environment, arts, or public safety.
- Look for a local group, neighborhood association, or organization that works in that area.
- Attend one meeting or event and introduce yourself.
6. Join the Conversation
r/ColumbiaMO Subreddit. This is how you hear what other residents are thinking and feeling.
The local subreddit r/ColumbiaMO is a big online gathering place for people in and around Columbia. People post about road issues, new developments, crime, local businesses and event, city politics, and random everyday stuff.
Action Steps:
- Spend some time just reading to get a feel for the tone and common topics.
- When you see a thread about a city issue, use what you now know to share a link to an agenda, BeHeardCoMo project, or city page.
- If something you see there concerns you, follow it back to the official city source and get more context.
Main community space for online discussion: https://www.reddit.com/r/columbiamo/
It is not official city communication, but it can give you a good sense of what people are worried about, excited about, or confused about.
7. Direct Contact
Email, Phone, and Public Comment. This is how you talk directly to the people who vote on things.
Reaching out does not have to be formal or intense. A short, respectful message that explains who you are and what you care about can carry a lot of weight, especially if it is about a specific decision.
Contact information for elected officials: https://www.como.gov/city-council/
Find the mayor and council, along with ward information.
Public comment instructions: https://www.como.gov/city-of-columbia-mo/meetings/
Most agendas or meeting pages explain how you can speak in person or send a written comment. These details are usually on the City of Columbia Meetings hub or in the specific meeting agenda.
Action Steps:
- Write a short email to one council member about one issue. Introduce yourself, explain your connection to Columbia, and say clearly what you are asking for or what you hope they will consider.
- If you attend a meeting, be ready to give a very short version of your comments in person if public comment is allowed.
- Thank them for their time, even if they do not agree with you.
8. Commit
Personal Action Checklist. If this all feels like a lot, start small. You do not need to do everything at once.
Here is a simple checklist you can work through over time:
- Attend or watch one public meeting.
- Create a BeHeardCoMo account and comment on at least one project.
- Identify one board or commission you might want to serve on and read about what it does.
- Explore Civic Academy and decide whether you want to apply.
- Read r/ColumbiaMO for a week and share one official resource link in a relevant discussion.
- Email or call one City Council member about an issue that matters to you.
- Connect with one community or neighborhood group and go to a gathering.
