Difference between revisions of "Issues Forum Guide"
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Our updated Issues Forum Guide is a work in progress. | Our updated Issues Forum Guide is a work in progress. | ||
− | The new more concise guide will start with an open chapter and then based on your needs you may refer to multiple appendices. | + | The new more concise guide will start with an open chapter and then based on your needs you may refer to multiple appendices. For convenient printing, see our [http://e-democracy.org/if/guide.pdf original 60 page guidebook] commissioned by the UK government. |
− | This advice can be adapted and used for anyone seeking to host online community participation that matters NOT just to launch an Issues Forum with E-Democracy.org. | + | This advice can be adapted and used for anyone seeking to host online community participation with civility that matters NOT just to launch an Issues Forum with E-Democracy.org. |
We are in the process streamlining our model to allow a single volunteer (the Forum Manager) to start a forum. We will also be encouraging communities to adapt the support "team" concept as best suits their needs (be that an informal team with the Forum Manager as leader, a team with volunteers taking various roles, a committee with a chair other than the Forum Manager who leads support efforts, etc.). These changes are '''not''' yet reflected in our updated drafts. | We are in the process streamlining our model to allow a single volunteer (the Forum Manager) to start a forum. We will also be encouraging communities to adapt the support "team" concept as best suits their needs (be that an informal team with the Forum Manager as leader, a team with volunteers taking various roles, a committee with a chair other than the Forum Manager who leads support efforts, etc.). These changes are '''not''' yet reflected in our updated drafts. | ||
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* [http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ASR48q0Ps2HdZGRqY3gzbW5fNWd2OXptM2hy&hl=en Appendix 3 - Charter, Rules, and Mission] | * [http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ASR48q0Ps2HdZGRqY3gzbW5fNWd2OXptM2hy&hl=en Appendix 3 - Charter, Rules, and Mission] | ||
* [http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ASR48q0Ps2HdZGRqY3gzbW5fNmNtcnIzM2hy&hl=en Appendix 4 - Preparation - Getting Ready to Launch] | * [http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ASR48q0Ps2HdZGRqY3gzbW5fNmNtcnIzM2hy&hl=en Appendix 4 - Preparation - Getting Ready to Launch] | ||
− | * Appendix 5 - Launch | + | * [http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ASR48q0Ps2HdZGRqY3gzbW5fN2R3aDlqNGQ3&hl=en Appendix 5 - Launch - Message Templates] |
+ | * [http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ASR48q0Ps2HdZGRqY3gzbW5fOGR0NzR2OGdn&hl=en Appendix 6 - Your Issues Forum in Practice] | ||
+ | * [http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ASR48q0Ps2HdZGRqY3gzbW5fOWRuemdqOGN3&hl=en Appendix 7 - Sample Memorandum of Understanding for Partnership Launches] | ||
+ | * [http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ASR48q0Ps2HdZGRqY3gzbW5fMTFnNWRyZjJmMw&hl=en Appendix 8 - Case Studies] | ||
+ | * [http://e-democracy.org/if/ifdiagrams.doc Draft Diagrams] - To integrate into drafts. Word format. | ||
If you would like to help edit this guide, please [http://e-democracy.org/contact contact us] and we will share those rights with you. | If you would like to help edit this guide, please [http://e-democracy.org/contact contact us] and we will share those rights with you. | ||
+ | |||
+ | '' | ||
+ | '''The draft complete table of contents is as follows:''' | ||
+ | '' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Introduction | ||
+ | |||
+ | What is an Issues Forum? | ||
+ | |||
+ | E-Democracy.org’s model for Local Issues Forums | ||
+ | |||
+ | Setting Up a Local Issues Forum | ||
+ | |||
+ | 1. Pick Your Democracy | ||
+ | |||
+ | 2. Steering Committee | ||
+ | |||
+ | 3. Create Mission, Establish Rules, and Set Goals | ||
+ | |||
+ | 4. Technology | ||
+ | |||
+ | 5. Recruit | ||
+ | |||
+ | 6. Community Approach | ||
+ | |||
+ | 7. Launch Publicity | ||
+ | |||
+ | 8. Facilitate and Manage | ||
+ | |||
+ | 9. Be Patient and Persevere | ||
+ | |||
+ | 10. Celebrate | ||
+ | |||
+ | Measuring Success | ||
+ | |||
+ | What’s Next? | ||
+ | |||
+ | Appendix 1 – Technology | ||
+ | |||
+ | Why host your Local Issues Forum on E-Democracy.Org | ||
+ | |||
+ | Terms of Hosting with E-Democracy.Org | ||
+ | |||
+ | Other available technology | ||
+ | |||
+ | Appendix 2 – Managing the forum | ||
+ | |||
+ | Steering committee | ||
+ | |||
+ | Steering Team Terms of Reference | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Forum Manager | ||
+ | |||
+ | Volunteer roles | ||
+ | |||
+ | Appendix 3 – Charter, Rules and Mission | ||
+ | |||
+ | Sample Charters | ||
+ | |||
+ | E-Democracy Forum Rules | ||
+ | |||
+ | Warnings and Suspension from E-Democracy.Org Forums | ||
+ | |||
+ | Appendix 4 – Get ready to launch | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Guide to Virtual Door-Knocking | ||
+ | |||
+ | Short Outreach Note – General Public | ||
+ | |||
+ | Longer Introduction Early in Process to Civic Leaders | ||
+ | |||
+ | Recruitment Checklist and Sample Sign-Up Form | ||
+ | |||
+ | Sign-up Form | ||
+ | |||
+ | Promotional poster | ||
+ | |||
+ | Sample News release: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Appendix 5: Launch | ||
+ | |||
+ | Sample Forum Opening Messages | ||
+ | |||
+ | Post 1: Welcome Message | ||
+ | |||
+ | Post 2: Rules and Expectations | ||
+ | |||
+ | Post 3: Introductions | ||
+ | |||
+ | Guest Speaker Information | ||
+ | |||
+ | Appendix 6: Your Local Issues Forum in Practice | ||
+ | |||
+ | Why Should Citizens Participate In A Local Issues Forum? | ||
+ | |||
+ | Why Should/Do Elected Officials and Decision-Makers Participate? | ||
+ | |||
+ | Response scenarios | ||
+ | |||
+ | How to Effectively Participate in a Local Issues Forum | ||
+ | |||
+ | Levels of Participation | ||
+ | |||
+ | Frequently Asked Questions | ||
+ | |||
+ | Appendix 7 – Working in partnership | ||
+ | |||
+ | Case Studies | ||
+ | |||
+ | Case Study 1: Citizen Problem Solving on the Issues Forum Leads to Legislation | ||
+ | |||
+ | Case Study 2: Mayor Uses the Issues Forum to Learn of True Citizen Concerns | ||
+ | |||
+ | Case Study 3: Newspaper Uses the Issues Forum to Improve and Balance Its Coverage | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
{{Forum Managers}} | {{Forum Managers}} | ||
{{E-Democracy.Org}} | {{E-Democracy.Org}} |
Latest revision as of 17:25, 2 January 2010
Back to Issues Forums Resources
Our updated Issues Forum Guide is a work in progress.
The new more concise guide will start with an open chapter and then based on your needs you may refer to multiple appendices. For convenient printing, see our original 60 page guidebook commissioned by the UK government.
This advice can be adapted and used for anyone seeking to host online community participation with civility that matters NOT just to launch an Issues Forum with E-Democracy.org.
We are in the process streamlining our model to allow a single volunteer (the Forum Manager) to start a forum. We will also be encouraging communities to adapt the support "team" concept as best suits their needs (be that an informal team with the Forum Manager as leader, a team with volunteers taking various roles, a committee with a chair other than the Forum Manager who leads support efforts, etc.). These changes are not yet reflected in our updated drafts.
- Draft Issue Forum Guide - Lead Chapter - Via Google Docs
- Appendix 1 - Technology, GroupServer
- Appendix 2 - Managing the Forum
- Appendix 3 - Charter, Rules, and Mission
- Appendix 4 - Preparation - Getting Ready to Launch
- Appendix 5 - Launch - Message Templates
- Appendix 6 - Your Issues Forum in Practice
- Appendix 7 - Sample Memorandum of Understanding for Partnership Launches
- Appendix 8 - Case Studies
- Draft Diagrams - To integrate into drafts. Word format.
If you would like to help edit this guide, please contact us and we will share those rights with you.
The draft complete table of contents is as follows:
Introduction
What is an Issues Forum?
E-Democracy.org’s model for Local Issues Forums
Setting Up a Local Issues Forum
1. Pick Your Democracy
2. Steering Committee
3. Create Mission, Establish Rules, and Set Goals
4. Technology
5. Recruit
6. Community Approach
7. Launch Publicity
8. Facilitate and Manage
9. Be Patient and Persevere
10. Celebrate
Measuring Success
What’s Next?
Appendix 1 – Technology
Why host your Local Issues Forum on E-Democracy.Org
Terms of Hosting with E-Democracy.Org
Other available technology
Appendix 2 – Managing the forum
Steering committee
Steering Team Terms of Reference
The Forum Manager
Volunteer roles
Appendix 3 – Charter, Rules and Mission
Sample Charters
E-Democracy Forum Rules
Warnings and Suspension from E-Democracy.Org Forums
Appendix 4 – Get ready to launch
The Guide to Virtual Door-Knocking
Short Outreach Note – General Public
Longer Introduction Early in Process to Civic Leaders
Recruitment Checklist and Sample Sign-Up Form
Sign-up Form
Promotional poster
Sample News release:
Appendix 5: Launch
Sample Forum Opening Messages
Post 1: Welcome Message
Post 2: Rules and Expectations
Post 3: Introductions
Guest Speaker Information
Appendix 6: Your Local Issues Forum in Practice
Why Should Citizens Participate In A Local Issues Forum?
Why Should/Do Elected Officials and Decision-Makers Participate?
Response scenarios
How to Effectively Participate in a Local Issues Forum
Levels of Participation
Frequently Asked Questions
Appendix 7 – Working in partnership
Case Studies
Case Study 1: Citizen Problem Solving on the Issues Forum Leads to Legislation
Case Study 2: Mayor Uses the Issues Forum to Learn of True Citizen Concerns
Case Study 3: Newspaper Uses the Issues Forum to Improve and Balance Its Coverage
Back To: Forum manager resources
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