Join the Dialogue

To join the Deliberative Dialogue, please review the guidelines below and register. Once you are registered, follow the flag to read the discussion.

Who Should Participate

The Dialogue welcomes individuals interested in learning more about Campaign Finance Reform, sharing what they think and hearing how others view the issue. Dialogue participants will be asked to wrestle with the complex issues that surround this public policy problem. They will be asked to make tough choices that reflect what is important to them. This Deliberative Dialogue will ask the participants to consider the values, experiences, and views of others and themselves. Then members of the group must weigh the costs, benefits and consequences of their options for action.

We anticipate a dynamic and productive exchange as participants grapple with this important and timely topic. We have invited citizens from all walks of life from across the country to join us in this Dialogue to garner a broad cross-section of views.

What is Involved: Responsibilities of Dialogue Participants

• Be familiar with the Agenda.
• Review the Dialogue Issue Book. The book was prepared by Public Agenda a nonpartisan research and education organization. It provides an overview of Money & Politics and outlines several perspectives or choices.
• Prior to the beginning of the Dialogue learn about other participants in the "About the Dialogue" section of the Web site.
• Plan to spend about half an hour each day reading messages, posting comments and completing online forms.
• Abide by the Rules of the Road.
• If you have questions, Ask!

Rules of the Road

• Participants are to maintain a collaborative open-minded approach. The discussion will be a deliberation, not a debate.
• Participants are charged to do choicework: to look at the pros, cons, costs, and consequences of each of the policy choices and to find merit in views different from their own.
• Consider the values, experience, and views of others. Respect and recognize the ideas and opinions of others.
• No one person will dominate the discussion. On the internet domination can happen through quantity, length, and frequency of messages.
• Limit your comments to the topics currently under discussion.
• Read the comments of others prior to sending in yours.
• Acknowledge the perspectives of others.
• Make sure that your message/s contribute a unique point or perspective.
• Keep your comments concise. (It might help to draft your messages offline.)
• Remember the group is deliberating on behalf of all citizens.
• Avoid personal attacks on people inside or outside of the deliberation.
• Don't use the deliberation to sell your ideas or products.
• When using online references, be sure to include a URL and an explanation of the value of the material cited.
• Take time to select a good title (the subject header) for your message - one that succinctly encapsulates your thoughts. Unlike e-mail, the "reply to message" option may not always be best. Your thoughts on the topic under discussion my be breaking new ground; in that case post a new message to make the discussion easier to follow.
• Create a separate message with an appropriate subject header for each idea or thought you want to make.

Role of the Moderator

• Demonstrates no bias regarding the subject matter, but is deeply committed to ensuring that all aspects of the issue are considered.
• Does not take on an expert role with the subject.
• Creates an atmosphere that encourages acceptance of all persons and ideas.
• Brings participants back to the choices when comments go astray.
• Probes the participants to consider the costs and consequences of each choice, often asking the participants to consider opinions different from those that they hold. Presses for deeply thoughtful deliberation.
• Keeps the discussion focused on the issue and the choices.
• Intervenes as necessary to remind the group of ground rules, refocus the discussion and call for clarification.
• Encourages everyone to join in the conversation.
• Facilitates the group arriving at its public voice.

Role of the Reporter

• Demonstrates neutrality.
• Summarizes the ongoing deliberation accurately and concisely.
• Communicates with the moderator and participants when clarification is needed to summarize accurately.
• Does not participate in the substance of the forum.
• Works to clarify and capture the flow of the deliberation.
• Creates intermittent summaries of the deliberation for the purposes of: 1) reflecting back to the participants and moderator to give them an overview of the progress of the deliberation, and 2) to encapsulate what is happening for the benefit of observers and those who are interested in the topic or the process but need a brief summary of what is happening.

Registration

To participate simply complete the Dialogue registration and pre-Dialogue Questionnaire. You will receive an e-mail confirmation of your registration.

Please encourage your friends and colleagues to join the activity as well. Simply use the "Send Page" feature of your Web browser to mail them a copy of this Web page.