I tried to make some changes to work on scope and time issues, and tried to tighten the connection to SI skills.

Organization
The Kettering Foundation is a private operating foundation in Dayton OH that researches democracy and how to make it work better through the practice of deliberative democracy. The Foundation produces a number of research papers every year, has a substantial network of contract researchers producing papers, and works with National Issues Forums to create forums on public policy issues around the country.

I have two possible ideas for a DFE proposal at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation in Dayton OH. One is definitely doable from a distance, and the other would at the very least require several trips to Dayton. These ideas are different than from what I presented in class for Texas Forums. I think working with Taylor Willingham on wikis and online deliberation would be wonderful, but I know I am not in a position to do so with my current skill set. I am interested in talking to the Illinois students about their work with Taylor.

Briefly in class today National Issues Forums came up. I got an email today from Taylor Willingham of Texas Forums and some of their efforts to use "innovative collaborative technologies like wikis and blogs to name, frame and report on public issues." Thought it might be of interest to someone, so here are the links:

http://texasforums.wordpress.com/2006/10/15/working-with-the-wikis/

http://texasforums.wordpress.com/2006/10/17/20-technology-meets-old-fashioned-town-hall-meeting/

At my last job at the Kettering Foundation, Unchat gave a presentation. This was several years ago, and I'm not sure about the status of this software. Regardless, I thought I would post a link to it as it is related to our Friday discussion on Civic Applications. I found a few organizations using it including MIT. Ben Barber and Beth Noveck were the brains behind this project.

Unchat hopes to provide a chat software program that encourages deliberation. From their web site: "Put to use in civic and political debates, learning and educational development, community building and non-profit communications, corporate meetings and knowledge management, our software will enhance discussion, nurture deliberation and facilitate the arbitration of differences and the quest for common ground."