Introduction
From:
Steven Clift
Date:
2006 Sep 18 14:37 UTC
Short link
Greetings all. It is quite exciting to scan through the archives and read all
of your introductions. Of the seven local Issues Forums in the E-Democracy.Org
family each one has its own flavor and style. Your online forum seems more
deeply connected into local decision-making structures and committees than
anything I've seen anywhere online around the world. Very exciting.
I'm Steven Clift, Board Chair of E-Democracy.Org. As a founder of
E-Democracy.Org back in 1994 (with the world's first election-oriented website)
I am interested in how we, as "citizens" (inclusive of all), can use the
Internet to promote public participation from anywhere at any time in local
democracy.
For the last decade plus I've been an "e-democracy" consultant and public
speaker <http://publicus.net> as a way to support my volunteer role with
E-Democracy.Org. I also have a blog about democracy online <http://dowire.org>.
Before 1997, I coordinated North Star, our state government's home page
<http://www.state.mn.us>.
While I am a fourth generation Minnesotan on both sides, my best connection to
Roseville is that my sister-in-law Eileen teaches band in your elementary
schools. I live in Minneapolis with my wife and our 10 month old son.
Anyway, as Board Chair, our e-door is always open to suggestions and input
<clift@publicus.net>. While each local forum may seem like an island, you are
not. Folks in St. Paul, even Brighton, England share the same rules and
technology. Each community is its own center of innovation and one of my jobs
to help us learn from one another. So welcome Roseville into the family of
local Issues Forums where citizens can have a voice and we can learn from each
other through one simple e-mail address.
Steven Clift
Board Chair, E-Democracy.Org
P.S. I'd love to see some more introductions.
.