About the Lexington Town Meeting Members Association

Purpose

The Lexington Town Meeting Members Association (TMMA) mission is to help establish the factual basis necessary for intelligent decisions by Town Meeting Members, to facilitate communication about the Town Meeting process to the voting public, and to assist in other constructive, non-partisan ways in the government of Lexington Massachusetts. The TMMA is a private volunteer organization that operates under its own bylaws and that is supported primarily by annual dues. It is not an official Town body.

Membership

All 189 elected Town Meeting Members hold membership in TMMA, with 21 members representing each of the 9 Town Precincts. At-Large Members of Town Meeting who reside in Lexington are also members of TMMA, including the Town Moderator, Town Clerk, Select Board, School Committee Chair, Appropriation Chair, and state representatives and state senators.

Initiatives

TMMA hosts the following events and services for its members:

• Information Sessions covering issues on the Warrant of Annual and Special Town Meetings

• Bus tours to visit sites specific to Warrant articles

• TMMA Connect! Events on topics of interest regarding our role in government

• An Ice Cream Social held just after the March Town Election and before Annual Town Meeting begins

• Black Cat Cafe, serving snacks and beverages to Town Meeting members during Town Meeting sessions

• Orientation of new Town Meeting members

• TMMA Discussion List

• TMMA email addresses

Meetings

The TMMA holds its annual meeting in the Spring, before the opening session of the Annual Town Meeting.  The TMMA annual meeting agenda includes:

• Annual report on the prior-year TMMA activities; 

• Proposed programs and activities for the coming year;

• Financial report; and

• Election of officers.

The TMMA may hold general meetings or events during the town meeting year at the initiative of the executive committee or by request of TMMA members. 

Governance

The TMMA is an independent and impartial association organized to facilitate communications and the dissemination of information relevant to its members.  The TMMA is:

• Not an arm of the Town of Lexington or Lexington Town Meeting;

• Not a registered lobbying or advocacy organization; and 

• Not affiliated with or supported by any political parties, corporations or interest groups.

The TMMA is governed by seven Executive Committee Officers elected annually from among TMMA members.  

The activities of the TMMA are supported by dues paid by voluntary contribution of the members.