All posts in the topic 15: Why folks participate in an Issues Forum (Short link)

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     Issues Forums & EPanels - Online Workshop
                Nov 28 - Dec 9, 2005
    http://forums.e-democracy.org/uk/groups/epif
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The St. Paul Issues Forum has been going through a process of
strategic planning. As part of the process, we asked for public input
on the value of our forum or "why do people participate?"

These are the responses that we got. Including the negative or
critical comments.

I share this to demonstrate, that the democratic values of an Issues
Forum are much more diverse than simply to have a "channel" to
communicate with government or get a response from government
(although that is on the list).

Please, keep in mind that these comments are coming after more than 5
years of work developing this forum, recruiting participants, and
facilitating discussions.....

To see some of these comments in their original context:

    http://forums.e-democracy.org/topic/80975

    SPIF = St. Paul Issues Forum

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Comments about Value of SPIF:
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    "I have been involved on a number of issues which have not been
well covered in the local media.  Without SPIF it would be very
costly and difficult to even begin to engage the community in a
discussion they might actually be quite interested in."

---- Jeanne Weigum

    "I believe that SPIF is a valuable addition to civic life in Saint
Paul. The Forum provides a unique, accessible, convenient opportunity
to observe and participate in discussions about local issues and
politics. The discussions regularly include participants who exhibit
considerable expertise in the subject at hand, and who often provide
relevant background information, summarize the history of the topic,
identify the key issues, and even occasionally provide brief
tutorials. Furthermore, these highly informed participants are
readily accessible, via either private e-mail or public postings."
    "Several members of the City Council and the School Board
participate and their roles enable them to provide unique
perspectives."
    "From my perspective, the SPIF is a non-partisan forum that hosts
discussions that include many highly partisan participants.  I
believe that a fundamental factor in the success of the SPIF has been
the non-partisan nature of the structure and administration of the
forum, (not to be confused with the often highly partisan
participants and discussions).  As the group that administers the
SPIF evolves, I believe that is important that this administrative
body (call it SPED for simplicity) maintains its non-partisan
approach."

---- Tim Salo

    "The forum is the great equalizer-or it will be when every one of
us has access. It teaches us what we need to know about each other in
order for us to persuade and move things into what we think is the
right direction. It moves us. It helps us not to judge and not to
hate."
    "The issues forum makes it possible for ANYONE to share their
story or ask for help. It has trained me to accept and not to judge
and it reminds me that we are all the same animal with distinct
experiences that have shaped us into the poster that we are."
    "I need people and the forum plugs me in."

---- Michelle Hoffman

    "It's been a long, long time since I've actually *learned*
anything from SPIF.  Currently, its main purpose in my life is to
provide sort of a snapshop barometer of Saint Paul's far, far left
for use on my blog."

---- Mitch Berg

    "This forum is improved by having real people, from local places
instead of anonymous posters."
    "This forum suffers from "I like it if you agree but I can't stand
it, when you disagree"."
    "There is a lack of timely reporting and discussion of local
government in papers, in the broadcast media  and here."

---- Grace Kelly

    "SPIF has been an important part of my recovery.  I have always
had a love for politics and I love St. Paul.  During the last few
years someimes my illness has made it impossible for me be with
people one on one or in large groups of people.  But I can always sit
at my computer and "talk" about politics with the people I know.  And
now that I am feeling better, I can start to be involved again
(although no one is going to talk me into running for anything again
- I want to stay well.)"

---- Renee Jenson

    "I was hoping this list would be   helpful in my adaptation to
this side of the river. To it's political  and cutural flow. So far
I'd say it's kind of iffy. Too many constant  posters picking nits
and too few neighborhood reality postings."

---- Jon Gorder

    "SPIF is important as a relevant place of open discussion on a
wide range of issues by a varied group of citizens. It is important
in that it engages us in discussions on what we like, want and need
in our community."

---- Brian Joyce

   "The forum has more people left of center than right of center
because that reflects who lives in St Paul - and in general, who
lives in urban areas."
    "I personally like the server technology for this forum.  It's
nice to be able to read the posts from the website, and to have the
posts grouped together by thread.  I'm looking forward to when the
Minneapolis forum goes towards that."
    "For politicians, I think what prevents more from posting, is they
are concerned about saying something, and then getting piled on by
the peanut gallery.  That's the fear over on the Minneapolis Issues
list."

---- Eva Young

    "One of the obvious challenges of this forum, in its current form,
is making sure that participants are as representative as possible of
the full diversity of voices and experiences in St. Paul.  People of
color are vastly underrepresented here.  I'd guess low-income people
are as well.  We almost certainly underrepresent renters.  Voices
from the more conservative side of the spectrum seem to be
underrepresented here.  And large geographic portions of the city,
particularly the neighborhoods of the East Side and North End are
underrepresented here."
    "The answer to these challenges lies precisely in becoming a more
formal organization.  Having a more defined, dedicated group of
volunteers will allow us to better connect with groups across the
City.  It will allow us to be far more deliberate in trying to
undertake the outreach necessary in filling holes in the
organization's participants."
    "Look back in the archives, even to the recent past, to see the
incredibly thoughtful and insightful way that the conversation of
this forum can be managed and structured.  A red-hot debate can turn
into a passionate but meaningful conversation"

---- Bob Spaulding

    "I personally like the fact that it is not an anonymous forum, but
relates not only to the individual poster, but also their
neighborhood and/or relationship to the City."
    "I have participated mostly in the political discussions here, but
have greatly appreciated the depth of knowledge and range of opinions
from other aspects of city life and government."
    "There is a need for future inclusion of different voices, from
all of the groups that are represented in Saint Paul, and this forum
should strive to obtain roughly an equal representation of the
political and ethnic diversity that exists in Saint Paul."
    "One thing that our communities seem to have been lacking in
recent years is open and honest communication, and this forum helps
resolve some of that.  I am continually impressed that elected
officials post (very brave in our current climate) and most likely
read this forum, as well as our local media, who I have gain some
respect for recently."

---- Jason Barnett

    "Although I follow the print and TV news, I have learned much more
about Saint Paul politics and neighborhood issues from this forum."
    "The only negative I have been concerned about is the private
nature of the group that manages the forum.   Establishing  a formal
organization will resolve that, and SPIF will be much better
positioned to invite in a diversity of opinion and background."
    "The difference in SPED, is that the group exists to promote big-D
and little-d democracy and public policy discussion.   If we believe
that Democracy is worth promoting, then we should embrace it for the
group."

---- Bob Treumann

    "I learn so much from the various posters about what is going on
in this city."
    "I agree we need more diversity in people of color and economic
status and maybe a few more from the right."
    "As for creating a formal organization, it will provide those
particiapting in the forum to go beyond the
on-line exchange of comments.  It will allow us to develop means to
effect greater participation in the
issues of the local community."
    "Maybe with this structure formally in place political discussion
will have greater participation from all positions."

---- Mike Fratto