All posts in the topic E-Democracy.Org UK Input Meeting in Oxford on Oct. 2 0 Invitation (Short link)
Summary
- There are 11 posts — by 8 authors — in this topic.
- Latest post made by Matthew Meeson at Sep 12 10:58 UTC
Have you ever wondered what the heck "e-democracy.org" has to do with your
local community Issues Forum?
A few years ago, the UK Local E-Democracy National Project funded pilots in
Newham and Brighton and perhaps miraculously with no further funding, the
forums remain open and have spread to five neighbourhoods in Oxford and
Bristol with more likely next year. Because this is a citizen-based model
run by volunteers and some in-kind support from council staff in Oxford and
Bristol, keeping the network operating in "basic" mode is not too costly.
Basic isn't good enough. What might you, might we, do better with Issues
Forums and local e-democracy in your community? Are there good ways to
connect your efforts across the UK, leverage resources, promote community
empowerment and social inclusion with greater outreach, find central funding
sources, etc.? Who and how might we coordinate and over time expand UK
activities with either dedicated volunteers or UK staff in the near and
long-term?
These are some of the questions we will discuss in an input session at the
Oxford Town Hall on Thursday, October 2. I'll be coming through the UK from
a conference in Austria (I am based in Minnesota) and look forward to
meeting a number of you.
Join us!
Details and information on how to RSVP is on our wiki at:
http://pages.e-democracy.org/Oxford_meeting
Sincerely,
Steven Clift
E-Democracy.Org
P.S. We are in the process of forming an E-Democracy.Org UK Advisory
Committee. If you can't make it to Oxford, but want to help improve our
collective local e-democracy effort or make sure your local forum has
influence within E-Democracy.Org, mention the committee to me in a note:
<email obscured> or http://e-democracy.org/contact
I am beginning to wonder what the point of this forum is, because it seems to
be becoming just an online version of the local North East Area Committee run
by the City Council, with a small closed group of people constantly talking
only to each other and no one else. It seems just to be full of people who are
either ignorant of the facts and or totally uninformed or very ill informed.
Most of what gets talked about is so dull and boring and utterly pointless and
trivial.
it really does not seem to have achieved what it was set up to do, maybe that
is because Stephanie Jenkins is in charge and that she censors people, so long
as people don't say anything slanderous or libellous we should be free
otherwise to be as rude and as obnoxious about each other as we like, its
called freedom of speech.
Nicholas: I hope you will be coming to the meeting in Oxford to tell eDemocracy in person your ideas for changing the forum rules. I have no power to change them: they are the same for every eDemocracy forum throughout the whole world, and they are listed here: http://e-democracy.org/rules/ As you will see, you are not allowed to be as rude and obnoxious about people as you like, because the cardinal rule is this one: "Be Civil - This is a public forum with real people. Respect among citizens with differing views is our cornerstone." Everyone should remember that every message they post remains in perpetuity on the web along with their name.
I take issue with Nick Fell on a number of points. Firstly, this forum is all
about people expressing their views on what's happening in their area, so it's
hardly surprising that there is some overlap between what's on the forum and
what is talked about at the Area Committee. Some people don't have access to
the web, so the only ways they can make their views known is by writing to the
press, ringing up the local radio station, contacting a councillor, or raising
issues verbally at Residents' Association meetings or at area committee
meetings.
Secondly the quality of debate on this forum is far, far higher than on, for
example, the Oxford Mail website. Contributions are generally lively and help
to identify and resolve local issues.
Thirdly, the manager of the forum, Stephanie Jenkins, has the unenviable task
of managing any postings which contravene the rules of the forum. That is not
an easy thing to do. Again, compare the content of the forum postings with
those of the feedback postings on the Oxford Mail website - some of the
comments there are downright offensive, and the Oxford Mail is currently having
to change the way in which respondents register to try and cut down vexatious
communications. I for one am grateful to Stephanie for ensuring that forum
members keep to the rules and respect diverse opinions.
In addition to the open invitation to join our network-wide input meeting on Oct. 2: http://pages.e-democracy.org/Oxford_meeting Would any of you be interested in getting together the evening of Oct. 1 for a pint or two? Putting faces to e-mails is something people have enjoyed in local forums around the network. Based on my travel schedule, 7:30 p.m. would be a safe time. Also, I'd like to try and stay in the heart of your neighbourhood (or another neighbourhood with a forum). Can anyone recommend a B&B or have other suggestions? Steven Clift E-Democracy.Org http://stevenclift.com
I agree that Stephanie Jenkins should be congratulated on her management of
the Forum. We are indebted to her for the time and effort she takes to
ensure we have the opportunity to share our views and concerns without
causing offence but at the same time retain the spirit of the views
expressed.
Mary Hope
Having been on the end of a defamatory & libellous comment on this forum I must
congratulate Stepher's for her handling of the situation. Had it not been for
Stephanie's diplomatic approach in calming my outrage & response by taking
control of the issue a serious incident was defused. From experience I can
vouch for the importance of members not overstepping the mark.
Happy to meet up on the 1st with Steven at 7.30, regrettably I can't make the
session next morning. Anyone else want to join us?
I am happy to join the get-together at 7.30pm on 1 October to meet Stephen from eDemocracy, and thanks to everyone for their kind messages. I hope that other people on this forum will come too. Someone on the Central, South, and West Oxford forum has suggested that Stephen might like to stay at the Tower House in Ship Street. I think most of the Headington guest houses are OK, but it's probably better to stay somewhere central when time is at a premium. The "Visit Oxford" website is a good place to look: http://www.visitoxford.org/stay.asp In any event, I would recommend booking early, as the beginning of October is quite a busy time in Oxford.
What a good idea.
The ideal venue would be the Masons' Arms, as they have won so many awards for
their fine beer. Also it is just round the corner from me, which is so
convenient.
Thanks for the thought Julia but I don't think that would be appropriate. May I
suggest the Black Boy for anyone who wants to meet, it seems to be a popular
location with members of this forum.
It is under new management now and it would give people who have yet to meet
Abigail Rose and Chris Bentham, the new owners, the chance to do so. It will
also give me the chance to get a free pint if I go along as I'm sure Abigail
must owe me one by now lol...............
I have not discussed this with Abigail and Chris so I hope they don't mind me
suggesting this !