IAP2's Project of the Year combined facilitated dialogue with computer technologies to engage citizens in the governance of Washington, D.C. Carolyn J. Lukensmeyer, Interim Executive Director of Mayor Anthony A. Williams' Neighborhood Action initiative and President of AmericaSpeaks, facilitated this dialogue, supported by wireless, polling keypads and networked, laptop computers. Neighborhood Action engaged 3,000 residents of the District in a Citizen Summit last November, linking citizen voices to the city's fiscal year 2001 budget and strategic plan. Lukensmeyer was joined by Mike Smith from Option Technologies Innteractive LLC, Todd Erikson of Covision, Inc., and several other representatives from Neighborhood Action and AmericaSpeaks.
After the initial session, Neighborhood Action and AmericaSpeaks discussed with session participants how organizations and agencies can reproduce the models developed in the District. Topics of discussion included: the utilization of technology, program design, linking citizen voice to strategic planning and budget processes, and much more.
From left to right: Dave Smith Tony Geurtler and Mike Smith of Option Technologies
Engaging Thousands of Citizens in the Governance Process by Combining Technology with Facilitated Dialogue