Difference between revisions of "Top 10 Reasons"

Latest revision as of 03:24, 22 October 2007

Here is a very rough draft at listing reasons why an individual might contribute to our pledge drive.

Top 10 Reasons to Pledge $50 to E-Democracy.Org

Help us Build our Foundation

To help pay for the hosting and technical support for your forum. As our forums grow in size and sophistication, the costs of hosting the forums have grown as well. For most of its history, E-Democracy.Org has relied exclusively on volunteers to keep the site alive. As we have grown, this has become increasingly difficult and hard to sustain. Part of your pledge will go to support the hosting of your local Issues Forum and the technical support it needs to grow.

Improvements & New Features on Web Site

As the internet develops, E-Democracy.Org is struggling to balance the demands of our Issues Forum participants with our desire to keep things simple enough for the most basic users. Balancing this set of complex needs, requires us to continue to experiment and innovate with our site.

Recruitment of New and Diverse Participants

Members of Local Issues Forums almost universally report that one of the most attractive features of any forum, is the diversity of people and opinions that participate in the forum. However, E-Democracy.Org Local Issues forums have traditionally relied exclusively upon word of mouth to grow and add new members. As we move forward, E-Democracy.Org seeks to create materials and offer training and on the ground support to local volunteers seeking to recruit new members to their forums.

Additional Opportunities for Participation

• State, National, and World Issues Forums
• Special forums connecting local communities on issues of common interest

To Create A Network of Community Conversations

Over the past decade, E-Democracy.Org has developed a reputation for creating online spaces that matter at the local level. Over the next decade, we seek to have an impact at a national or even international level, by creating a network of local projects that connect local people engaged in important local discussions, in an much larger international network.

Training and Support

Over the next year, E-Democracy.Org plans to offer training and support to both forum participants and Forum Managers on how to effectively participate in and manage local online forums.

A More Inclusive Democracy

As the internet continues to grow, political power will continue to shift towards those with the access and skills to engage and organize online. E-Democracy.Org seeks to build online forums accessible to the broadest possible cross section of the community and to show people how to access and utilize those online tools.

Deeper and More Meaningful Conversations

E-Democracy.Org is seeking to connect local Issues Forums with each other and with partners that can help create better content and facilitate structured discussions that delve even deeper into the important issues that matter to you - AND have an impact.

Improving Local Elections

As candidates and campaigns become more efficient at using online tools to segment and divide the electorate for partisan advantage, E-Democracy.Org seeks to maintain an open "middle ground" where everyone can find quality information that leads to better election outcomes.

We Need Your Support

For all the reasons listed above AND MORE, E-Democracy.Org needs the support of people like you, if we are to continue our work and grow. Please, pledge your support.