Transparency and accountability in community organizations

When I moved to Bonner County full-time in June 2022, I was eager to become involved in my new community. I soon learned about an organization called PAC (Politically Active Christians). Having previously been active in the medical freedom movement and conservative campaigns in Spokane, I was interested in connecting with others who shared similar values.

After being introduced to PAC leadership and completing a vetting process that included questions about my faith and political views, I joined the organization.

At first, I believed PAC’s mission was centered on preserving traditional values and engaging in local civic life. Over time, I began to see a gap between that mission and how the organization functioned in practice. While many members appeared sincere and well-intentioned, I became concerned about how internal coordination translated into political influence in the broader community.

In particular, PAC members hold a noticeable presence within Republican precinct and central committee structures in the county. From my experience, participation and advancement within PAC appeared closely tied to internal reporting and alignment with leadership direction, and those active in this system often went on to participate in candidate vetting and endorsement processes.

While this structure has been described as a “republican form of governance,” I observed that it can result in concentrated influence within a relatively small, closely connected group. This raised questions for me about transparency, accountability, and how representative those decisions are of the broader voting public.

When I raised concerns, I did not feel they were fully addressed. In my view, organizations involved in the political process benefit from clear, transparent decision-making and accountability to the wider community they serve.

WENDY COSSETTE 

Priest River