Notes of Winona
Online Democracy Steering Commttee Meeting.. 1/30/03 4-5:45 pm
City Hall Wenonah Room
Submitted by Randy Schenkat, Co Chair of WOD
(If others present care to add, please post and if other members not there had questions, suggestions, additions, please continue the discussion.)
Follow areas:
1) Strong List Mgt Continues
2) Dealing With Local Boards and Councils
3) Reflection on WOD Potential
4) Minnesota
E-Democracy
2) Dealing With Local Boards and Councils
A fair number of elected officials are subscribers to WOD. However, we don't see lots of participation. There can be a reluctance to be caught in shouting matches or deluged with emails and also perhaps a perception that WOD isn't demographically representative so it should be dismissed.
Regarding the later, we pondered if 220 individuals showed up at a meeting elected officials would take note. It's another form of getting input, having more breadth than a SHORTY'S group or the individual squeaky wheel. We did express an interest in reaching out for more voices across the political spectrum.
Regarding the former, it was suggested that one board or council member or staff member be designated as the official WOD monitor who would be responsible for sharing threads that have specific impacts on the governing board with its members.
This isn't to dissuade those interest in participating themselves, and they should realize the value of the digest version if they're concerned about multiple messages a day.
Also, it was
suggested that as members asking questions of elected
officials, we'd do better in asking specific factual
information( i.e. what's the cost of putting up a stop sign?)
than asking the more general what do you think about this topic?
It was also suggested perhaps governing bodies might suggest some topics they'd like discussed.
So we need WOD volunteers to make presentations and requests to the governing broads around these issues. We will draft some sample language for motions or resolutions.
The current financial situation is illustrated in the following anecdote- A politician was approached by a constituent who asked will my program be impacted by the budget cuts? The legislator said don't tell me your program and let me say this- yes. The impacts are going to be far reaching and it was suggested that WOD could work with the County, City, and School District to be a vehicle to 1) help inform about programs 2) be a mechanism for some citizen/elected official/ staff discussion.
Practically in dealing with revenues and budgets, it could mean working with rHometown.com or other web sites to post the information that gives backgrounds on the myriad of programs potentially impacted. It was suggested that we seek two representatives from each of the boards and councils to work with WOD members to build an informational base. Also, it was suggested there was value in being able to pose questions around programmatic and budgetary concerns implying if one member had a question, it was probably being wondered by others in WOD. Finally, it was suggested we might model in depth discussion around how do we holistically look at the challenges we face and minimize the losses by working cooperatively. Again volunteers are needed in this area. Contact Randy Schenkat or Clay Templeton for more details.
It was also suggested perhaps governing bodies might suggest some topics they'd like discussed.
So we need WOD volunteers to make presentations and requests to the governing broads around these issues. We will draft some sample language for motions or resolutions.
The current financial situation is illustrated in the following anecdote- A politician was approached by a constituent who asked will my program be impacted by the budget cuts? The legislator said don't tell me your program and let me say this- yes. The impacts are going to be far reaching and it was suggested that WOD could work with the County, City, and School District to be a vehicle to 1) help inform about programs 2) be a mechanism for some citizen/elected official/ staff discussion.
Practically in dealing with revenues and budgets, it could mean working with rHometown.com or other web sites to post the information that gives backgrounds on the myriad of programs potentially impacted. It was suggested that we seek two representatives from each of the boards and councils to work with WOD members to build an informational base. Also, it was suggested there was value in being able to pose questions around programmatic and budgetary concerns implying if one member had a question, it was probably being wondered by others in WOD. Finally, it was suggested we might model in depth discussion around how do we holistically look at the challenges we face and minimize the losses by working cooperatively. Again volunteers are needed in this area. Contact Randy Schenkat or Clay Templeton for more details.
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Randy Schenkat 1358 Skyline Dr. Winona, Mn
55987 507-452-7168
