This is not a scientific or representative survey. OK, now that that is on table, we would really appreciate your input on how to improve this survey: http://pages.e-democracy.org/Participation_online_survey My goal is to get a sense from those who are going to do the heavy lifting of building, approving, funding, or initially participating in the next generation of local online civic engagement what is of _greatest priority_. What do they feel should be universal with e-participation/e-democracy to be viewed as a fully functioning and respectable local democracy? In a world of scarce resources, if your have $10,000 dollars or $1,000,000 to invest in strengthening democracy and you want to spend that online (or a portion) what will generate the best comparative results? Whether it is Tambouris et al Framework for Assessing eParticipation Projects and Tools or checking off the "factors and benefits" in the European eParticipation Summary Report, the grocery shopping list is far longer than can fit in the cart for any one local community. The result in my opinion (in my 15+ years in the field and visits to 25+ countries speaking to governments on the use of the Internet for civic engagement) is complete analysis paralysis and inaction at the local level in most local communities (particularly with governments, but also the civc sector). So, to kick off our Ford Foundation-funded Participation 3.0 - http://e-democracy.org/p3 - convening and outreach effort, we've decided to start off with an initial prioritization and idea submission online survey. My goal is to hear from a number of constituencies from "wired elected officials" and neighborhood online participants to researchers and technologists to see what next generation online civic engagement (transparency, participation, collaboration/problem-solving, inclusion, community building) ideas are of most interest among those who show up and want to make the future happen sooner than later across all local communities. The steps in our Next Generation Ideas process through 2010 are: 1. Participation 3.0 launch and outreach with online survey 2. Introduction/input webinar(s), includes some special calls for "wired local offcials" for example 3. Online working groups/input discussions 4. Top Ten theme drafting with outreach/partner building, broad outreach and input period 5. Open proposal/specifications - Partnership building, seek major funding 6. Launch funded projects, pilots, etc., Promote efforts that "move the field" The survey while short in questions is quite in-depth and might spin a few heads. I'd rather get 100 thoughtful responses than 1000 quick responses at this point. But I need your specific input on how to make this the best experience for those taking their time to contribute. So will this detailed draft generate some useful input? http://pages.e-democracy.org/Participation_online_survey (Click the link for the full draft.) Q2 Your Perspective Q3 Open Question Q4 Sharpening Priorities Q5 Open Data Q6 Open Government Directive Themes and Local Government Q7 Get Connected Options Please send along any input on the survey - as well as offers to help promote through various channels - in the next few days. We hope to go live next week with the survey. Contact: clift@e-democracy.org Or http://e-democracy.org/contact Steven Clift - http://stevenclift.com Executive Director - http://E-Democracy.Org <http://e-democracy.org/> Follow me - http://twitter.com/democracy New Tel: +1.612.234.7072