Transparency isn’t optional for public boards, it’s the law. Open meeting legislation exists to ensure decisions are made in the public eye, fostering trust and accountability. But compliance is becoming more complex. States are updating sunshine laws to expand remote participation, language access, and notice requirements.

For example, California SB 707 (effective 2026) mandates two-way telephonic or audiovisual public comment, agenda translations, and disruption policies. Brown Act refinements (AB 2302 & AB 2715) introduce stricter remote participation limits and allow cybersecurity threats as valid closed-session grounds, while ADA requirements increasingly call for captioning and teleconferencing accommodations.

School districts are also facing a historic surge in FOIA requests, with some reporting tens of thousands of dollars in annual legal costs and hundreds of staff hours diverted from core responsibilities. The solution? Proactive transparency that makes information accessible upfront.

Diligent Community is purpose-built to make transparency simple and straightforward for board administrators, board members, leaders and community members.

From automated agenda creation and custom approval workflows to AI-powered meeting minutes and real-time notifications, every feature is built to simplify governance and save time. 

 we know will boost productivity, save time and help you be more efficient so that your team can stay focused on what matters most — serving their communities effectively.

Transparency features in Diligent Community

Public education and local government leaders need transparency that’s practical, consistent and accessible across agendas, meetings, policies and outcomes. Diligent Community brings those capabilities together, helping you comply with evolving legislation, reduce FOIA requests and build public trust.

The public transparency website is your community’s single source of truth and one place to access agendas, minutes, policies, recordings and attachments - with keyword search, subscription to updates, request-to-speak submission and ADA-conscious design. It acts as a centralized, always-up-to-date hub that reduces confusion, builds trust, and cuts down on FOIA requests.

 Any public body aiming to strengthen trust and engagement with an official, always up-to-date source of truth.

 The website is included in all Diligent Community packages.

 Promote subscriptions to meeting notifications on your site and social channels to build a consistent audience for governance updates.

How others are getting the most from this Diligent Community feature

 have increased transparency and cut prep time by publishing agendas, minutes and recordings in one place on their public transparency website.

“I’m not answering as many questions anymore; people can find the information themselves.” Effie Ameen, Secretary of the Board, University of Colorado Board of Regents.

2. Livestream Manager: Livestreaming with closed captioning

Livestream Manager broadcasts meetings directly to your public site alongside the agenda, with automated closed captions and post-meeting recordings linked to timestamped minutes. It includes:

Automated closed captions for ADA compliance.

Live translation options to meet multilingual access requirements.

Split-screen viewing with agendas and timestamped recordings.

Searchable captions through the public site.

AI-supported minutes generated from captions for faster post-meeting publication.

 Any public board seeking to improve transparency and accessibility with live and recorded meetings or who is mandated under their state law to stream publicly held meetings.

 Reach out to Customer Success to add Livestream Manager to your Diligent Community package.

 Enable automated live closed captioning to improve ADA accessibility and public search.

“Diligent Community provides that single pane of glass - we have our video, we have our agenda, and we have our supporting information all in one package.” Dr. R.J. Gravel, Deputy Superintendent, Glenbrook High School District 225.

“The timestamps are very helpful. If someone misses a vote or a public comment, I can send them a link, and they can click directly to the relevant part of the video. I control the timestamps, which makes it easy for everyone.” Amber McDonnell, Director of Board Operations, University of Colorado.

3. Automated agenda and packet publishing

Timely publication of the agenda is critical for compliance and community trust. With Diligent Community, you can pre-schedule agenda releases to meet notice requirements and ensure the public always sees the latest authoritative version.

In addition, the Agenda Builder streamlines prep with customer templates, a drag-and-drop interface and auto-save. The community sees the most up-to-date agendas and supporting documents, while board members have what they need to prepare for meetings.

 Administrators, clerks and board secretaries who build agendas and packets for publicly held meetings.

 Included in all Diligent Community packages.

 Add confidential member context with private notes while keeping the public view clean and compliant.

“Some of our family members like to see the agenda and understand what were the conversations that took place as we’re making decisions. Structured meeting agendas are now organized in a manner that makes sense for community members” — Dr R. J. Gravel, Superintendent, Glenbrook High School District 225

Digital voting captures motions and results in real time, linking them to meeting minutes and recordings. The public can see exactly what was decided and when, which strengthens accountability and reduces requests for clarification.

 Board and council members; administrators responsible for recording votes.

 Reach out to Customer Success to learn more about these features.

 Configure voting language and response types to reflect your statutes or board policy, including custom disposition text.

“With technology, all of the voting record is right there. Everyone in the audience can see what the board is looking at. I’ve definitely gotten less requests for a copy of the minutes from this date or that date. It’s all there and it’s connected to the video as well.” — Town Clerk, Town of Carbondale

Connect with parents and citizens through clear, open meetings that make everyone feel heard

Engage your community fast

5. Keyword search across all public content

Community members can search agendas, minutes, policies and even closed captions on Diligent Community, which helps them locate documents quickly and easily reducing FOIA requests.

 Members of the public looking for information.

: Search is included with all versions of Diligent Community.

 Ensure appropriate access to documents is given when publishing them in folders, with permission management.

“The search function is also a winner. We’re able to search by keywords, then filter and sort the results. This helps users find what they need quickly to review or address certain issues.” — Myra Lomahan, Executive Assistant, Southwestern Community College District

Diligent Community includes features to support public engagement and transparency. Community members can subscribe to receive automatic notifications, so they are kept informed about upcoming meetings. Online Request-to-Speak forms help intake requests for public comment, making engagement easy and equitable.

 Districts looking to increase engagement with their community

: Reach out to Customer Success to learn more about these features.

 Don’t just turn subscriptions on, promote them. Add a “Subscribe for meeting updates” link prominently on your public transparency homepage and mention it in board emails and social posts so stakeholders get agendas and updates straight to their inbox instead of relying on ad-hoc website visits.

“The ability for interested users to subscribe and then immediately be notified when an agenda is posted is a great feature.” — Alice Black, Executive Assistant and Special Project Manager, Aspen School District

Diligent Community comes loaded with a customizable document library, which provides a convenient, secure and centralized location to upload and manage your documents. You can structure the library so that it has searchable public content and internal folders to protect sensitive information. The library also:

Makes public folders accessible through the public transparency website

Restricts private folder access to specific members and staff

Simplifies folder management and permissions

Ensures security for sensitive documents and enhances data management practices

Gates access to users with editing rights, allowing them to make changes using our Microsoft integration

 Administrators and governance teams managing board materials and records.

: Private and public libraries are included with the full version of Diligent Community.

 Ensure appropriate access to documents in a central location with permission management.

Goal tracking turns strategy into public accountability by publishing board goals and progress on the transparency site.

 Organizations focused on strategic goal alignment and public accountability.

 Goal tracking is included in the full version of Diligent Community.

 Tie updates to meeting cycles so the community sees progress in context with agendas, minutes and decisions.

 regularly updates strategic plan progress on its customized public transparency website using goals tracking.

With these features working together, transparency becomes the natural output of how you govern in Diligent Community. Transparency is not a separate task, it’s the natural output of running your governance on Diligent Community.

With one platform, public boards can show their work from agenda to vote to outcomes, while giving communities a clear, accessible and trustworthy source of truth.

Whether you’re an administrator, board member or leader, Diligent Community puts smarter digital tools at your fingertips, to help you operate at peak efficiency and focus your time and energy on what matters most.

If you have any questions or need support implementing these features, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Customer Success Manager. They’re here to help you get the most out of your software investment and uncover even more ways to drive value for your organization. We are here to help make sure your governance tools are working as hard as you do.

And if you’re interested in learning how we can support your governance team to help it be even more efficient, 

8 top features on Diligent Community designed to boost community transparency

 explores key compliance priorities and governance shifts that will define the year ahead. Pair those insights with our 

, for a clear view of what’s next — from AI transformation to heightened transparency expectations. Staying informed is the first step toward future-ready governance.

Find everything you need to know about governance and technology, and sharpen your Diligent Community skills, at 

! This year’s program helps administrators and leaders strengthen governance while safely leveraging AI to navigate challenges with confidence. From practical workshops to thought-provoking discussions, Elevate offers something for every attendee. Here’s a 

Enhancing public access and accountability

The Public Transparency Website on Diligent Community provides a centralized, ADA-compliant hub designed to make governance more accessible and inclusive. With this feature, organizations can easily publish agendas, meeting minutes, policies and supporting documents in one convenient location. This streamlined approach ensures that community members have equal access to critical information, meeting open-meeting and records requirements while promoting trust and transparency.

Beyond document sharing, the platform offers robust functionality to keep the public informed and engaged. Features like advanced search, public notifications, and request-to-speak submissions empower citizens to stay involved in decision-making processes. By simplifying compliance and fostering open communication, the Public Transparency Website helps organizations build stronger connections with their communities while upholding the highest standards of accessibility and accountability.

Find out more about the Transparency Website 

 and contact your customer success manager for more information on how to tailor your website for your needs.

Increasing transparency across a multi-campus institution

The University of Colorado demonstrates how technology can simplify public notice compliance and enhance accessibility at scale. By leveraging tools like Livestream Manager, timestamped recordings and automated subscriber alerts, the institution ensures that stakeholders can easily access meetings and verify proper notice and records. These features not only make it simple to meet open-meeting requirements but also provide a seamless experience for a diverse audience across multiple campuses, reinforcing the university’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

“It’s just easier now. People have more information and know when meetings are happening. I’m answering more high-level questions instead of basic ones like, ‘Is there a meeting?’ It’s been a great improvement.” - Effie Ameen, Secretary of the Board, Board of Regents, University of Colorado

[Webinar] Harnessing technology & AI for your community

Discover how technology and artificial intelligence are transforming the future of public board governance. This forward-thinking session shares actionable strategies for resilient, ethical and high-performing governance.

Our panel of experts will explore how emerging tools and AI can support board effectiveness, enhance decision-making and promote transparency, inclusion and innovation.

Managing budget risk with smart oversight

Build future-proof boards for K-12 & local governments

AI policies & ethical frameworks for K-12

Upcoming events where you can visit our booth and connect with our team

 AASA National Conference on Education in Nashville, TN

 Colorado League of Charter Schools Annual Conference in Denver, CO

More professional events for your calendar 

Seasonal events to celebrate with your board

January is School Board Appreciation Month, and if you haven’t already done so, this is the ideal time to recognize the dedicated leaders who guide your district and champion student success. From shaping policies to ensuring transparency, school board members play a vital role in your community. Looking for ideas on how to honor them? Check out 

our blog for creative ways to show appreciation

 and strengthen relationships with your board.

And don’t forget, Public Schools Week is just around the corner in February, offering another opportunity to spotlight the impact of public education.

Stay on top of every celebration and boost your board’s impact all year

Never miss a key event

Leading with purpose podcast: Harnessing AI for future-ready governance

, Dottie Schindlinger, Executive Director of the Diligent Institute and Nithya Das, General Manager of Diligent’s Governance Business Unit and Chief Legal Officer, explore how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are transforming governance in 2026. From streamlining complex workflows to anticipating regulatory changes, this conversation offers a forward-looking perspective on how technology can empower purpose-driven leadership and create more agile, resilient organizations.

 (and wherever you find your podcasts) and thanks for taking the time to rate the podcast!

 series, we are excited to highlight another dedicated member of our Diligent Community team who is here to support you.

Nicole Mariano, a Senior Account Manager for Diligent Community on our Mission-Driven Organizations team.

Nicole works closely with customers every day, helping organizations get the most out of Diligent Community and supporting them throughout their governance journey.

Find out what Nicole enjoys doing outside of work!

Our pick of the newest and most popular items on our blog this month:

5 efficiency-boosting features on Diligent Community

How to get the most out of your next professional government conference

School leaders speak: Expert advice on managing risk in public education

We love to hear what leaders think about issues and key topics that affect mission-driven organizations. Please take a moment to tell us how your board handles regulations for the chance to win a $50 gift card! 

New rules, new risks: What public boards need to know in 2026

This article originally appeared in our January 15th edition of the Diligent Minute Newsletter. For more insights like these, delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe

After three quarters of near-record low confidence levels

, America’s boardrooms ended 2025 on a surprisingly hopeful note, even as directors brace for another demanding year. The latest 

, our quarterly survey of U.S. public company directors conducted with Corporate Board Member, shows sentiment rebounding sharply after three consecutive quarters at a five-year low throughout much of last year.

Why U.S. board confidence rebounded at the end of 2025

Confidence rose 23% in the final month of the year, climbing from 4.9 to 6.0 on a 10-point scale and finally nudging back into what respondents consider “good” territory. As a key driver behind the shift, directors point to:

In other words, after a year of policy whiplash, boards feel they at least understand the playing field a bit better - even if they don’t like it.

That late-year rally, however, shouldn’t be mistaken for a victory lap. For 2025 overall, average confidence registered just 5.0, well below 2024’s 6.2 and far short of the 6.9 directors had forecast a year ago.

Three quarters of respondents say tariffs were a primary reason conditions fell short of expectations, far outpacing any other factor. Their comments underscore how hard it is for boards to plan when rules change midgame; familiar playbooks don’t work when trade policy and enforcement shift repeatedly.

Tariffs, uncertainty and a new risk landscape

Directors in sectors long considered resilient

, like life sciences, describe this period as unlike anything they’ve seen in decades. Many point to deferred capital spending and elongated decision cycles as companies try to model scenarios that are, frankly, impossible to model with precision. That reality is reshaping how boards think about risk, resilience and the very nature of their oversight role.

Their outlook for business conditions by late 2026 is 6.0, essentially flat from today’s reading. CEOs, by contrast, are modestly more upbeat: in a parallel survey by Chief Executive, they project a 6% improvement to 6.4, and 44% say they expect conditions to improve, compared with 32% of directors. That gap is telling. CEOs are closest to near-term operations; boards are increasingly focused on longer-horizons, compounding risks.

Those directors who are optimistic tend to anchor their confidence in 

 seeing opportunities to transform productivity and reimagine business models. Among those who expect deterioration, concerns skew heavily toward macro and geopolitical risk, with uncertainty emerging as a dominant theme -— on par with inflation for many neutral respondents.

How boards can strengthen oversight and learning in 2026

directors emphasize adaptability, deeper engagement and faster learning, recognizing that they must connect dots across 

5 years of the Director Confidence Index: Tracking a more demanding role

This quarter also marks five years of fielding the Director Confidence Index, and we asked respondents how their roles have evolved since 2020.

Board members say they are spending far more time on risk in a “more complex and faster moving” environment, with cybersecurity, AI, geopolitical shocks, supply-chain integrity and policy volatility now standard agenda items. Many describe a shift from “managing the present” toward future-oriented scenario planning and strategic resilience, alongside heightened scrutiny from investors and activists that expands the mandate beyond financial performance to culture, human capital and corporate character.

Taken together, the picture is clear: being a director today is more time-intensive, strategically demanding and consequential than it was in 2020 and perhaps than it has ever been. One director distilled the 2026 playbook to three words: “Defend and survive.” I would add a fourth: learn. Boards that invest in learning about AI technology, geopolitics, regulation and stakeholder expectations will be best positioned not just to endure whatever comes next, but to help their organizations emerge stronger on the other side.

Boards brace for 2026: Confidence rebounds, risk looms 

This article originally appeared in our December 18th edition of the Diligent Minute Newsletter. For more insights like these, delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe 

As we close out 2025, I’ve been reflecting on what this year taught us and the word that comes to mind is “unprecedented.” Insights from the Diligent Institute’s research show how directors navigated multiple unprecedented challenges – often simultaneously – while also driving major change. The lessons we learned this year aren’t just a look back. They can be a compass pointing to the directional shifts boards will need to embrace as governance moves into a faster, more AI-enabled era.

Five governance shifts boards must prepare for in 2026

What will change: Boards will move beyond passive reporting and lean into more 

 Predictive analytics and scenario planning will become part of everyday conversations, helping directors navigate volatility before it hits.


Why? Director confidence hit historic lows in 2025. Our 

 conducted in partnership with Corporate Board Member, landed at just 4.8 out of 10, among the lowest since the pandemic. That’s a wake-up call for faster, smarter decision-making. If you’re curious whether sentiment is shifting, our Q4 results will be live by the time this issue hits your inbox. Check them out to see if optimism is making a comeback.

What will change: Dashboards won’t just summarize risks. They’ll surface them within hours, and crisis protocols will kick in during the first 72. AI-powered assurance will scan massive datasets to catch anomalies as they happen, and directors will be able to ask complex questions in plain language and get instant answers. Oversight will move from reacting after the fact to staying ahead of the curve, a fundamental change in risk management.

 7.9 out of 10. Quarterly updates aren’t enough anymore. Boards need early-warning systems and integrated intelligence to keep pace.

3) AI governance moves to the top of the agenda

What will change: Agentic AI is moving fast, from assisting to acting. Boards will need to build AI literacy, test for bias and keep humans in the loop to manage less visible risks.

Why: Two-thirds of directors used AI tools in 2025, but 

, 57% of respondents said their organizations had deployed AI in one or more areas of the business, but only 36% had audited usage.As AI deployment climbs higher on the priority list for 2026, closing this governance gap is critical.

4) Integration becomes a growth essential

What will change: M&A ambitions will stall without tech integration. Boards that prioritize scalable platforms will unlock faster, cleaner transactions and reduce risk during rapid growth periods as integration readiness becomes a board-level KPI.

 conducted in partnership with Wilson Sonsini and NetSuite, found only 4% of organizations had fully integrated GRC and financial systems.

What will change: Board agendas will shift toward forward-looking conversations powered by predictive analytics and cultural insights. Directors will widen their lens beyond financials to include culture and workforce resilience, using anonymized data to spot risks before they surface.

Why: The ability to anticipate, not just react, will define effective governance in 2026. Boards that lean on AI-driven scenario modeling and continuous feedback loops will stay aligned with fast-changing realities.

Turning 2025 board lessons into a 2026 action plan

2026 will reward boards that act, not just react. That means pairing human judgment with AI-driven foresight, embedding continuous assurance and integrating systems for scalability. Governance is moving from static to dynamic – and the boards that thrive will be ready to keep pace.

Check out the full blog on trends shaping governance in 2026.

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8 top features on Diligent Community designed to boost community transparency

New rules, new risks: What public boards need to know in 2026

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