Piedmont Civic Association FAQs

What is the Piedmont Civic Association?

The PCA is a newly revived, volunteer organization of Piedmont residents. Our mission is to maintain and enhance Piedmont as a desirable community through the informed participation of its citizens.

What does the Piedmont Civic Association do?

The Piedmont Civic Association hosts a website, an email list, and public forums in order to provide residents with a lively and informed source of information on civic topics.

Is there a fee to participate?

No.  All activities are supported by voluntary contributions.

Who can participate?

Anyone may join the PCA email list, write articles and suggest forums and speakers.  Go to Contact Us to learn more.  The website is designed to promote broad community participation in civic discussions.  There is also an opportunity to become more involved by participating on the PCA Steering Committee and the Editorial Board.  (See “About Us” for current Editorial Board participants.)

Who writes the articles on the Piedmont Civic Association website?

Primarily Piedmont residents.

How can I submit an article?

Anyone may submit an article by filling out the Submit an Article form. After reading the PCA Editorial Board Guidelines, simply fill out the form online and attach your file.

Can I submit other types of materials?

Yes.  Video clips, photos, and other visual materials are welcome, as well as interviews, charts, surveys, expert reports, links, and any other type of informative material, using the Submit an Article form or by emailing  editors@piedmontcivic.org.  Use your imagination.  Please include the names of all featured persons.

I submitted a comment on an article, but don’t see it posted.  Where is it?

Representative comments from the community, or selected portions, may be published, normally within a few days of their submission.  The writer’s  name will be published with the comment, but the writer’s email address will never be publicly shared.  PCA reserves the right not to post a submitted comment for any reason.

Can I let neighbors know about a hearing or activity through PCA?

We encourage residents who follow a particular civic topic closely to keep us updated on upcoming hearings and events using the Submit an Event form.  Some submissions may be posted on the website or sent out in email.

Does Piedmont Civic Association edit materials submitted by participants?

Materials are reviewed and edited by the Editorial Board to ensure they reflect and promote the PCA mission and meet Editorial Board Guidelines.  It is customary for PCA to provide a headline and lead sentences in order to clearly identify topics on the PCA website. PCA reserves the right to not accept materials for any reason.

Why do you ask for my name and street when I am submitting an article? Do you post it?

All material submitted to PCA must include the name and home address of the person submitting it. However, PCA will publish an authors name on articles only if permission is granted, and addresses will never be publicly shared. Information also may be submitted as background for future articles, in which case names will be kept private.

What is PCA’s policy regarding names of donors and email subscribers?

PCA will not publish the names of donors or email list subscribers.

My neighbor doesn’t use computers . . . can he/she participate?

Please feel free to distribute hard copies of PCA online reports to neighbors. Those who do not have internet access may contact PCA to receive hard copies of our reports via postal mail.

Can I participate in the Piedmont Civic Association if I don’t live in Piedmont?

The Piedmont Civic Association is designed primarily for Piedmont residents who are affected by issues on which we report.

Does PCA hold forums and debates?

Yes.  The Piedmont Civic Association periodically sponsors informational forums and debates.  To ensure those involving candidates for elected office are neutral, open to all candidates, free of any editorial content, and contain no endorsements, PCA uses formats consistent these examples: types of debate formats and Format Rules.