HOW OUR VOICE OUR COUNTRY WORKS
- During this 'initial phase', users and other organizations are being introduced to the features and components of the Site, through interactive events like our $1,000 Scholarship Competitions, and through ongoing outreach efforts.
- By Recommending Topics (the most urgent problems facing our nation now), users build a catalog of options for the ourvoiceourcountry.org community to consider, as potential Topics of the Month
- Users then Recommend ProblemSolvers -- nominating articulate experts/workers/leaders from 'the field,' or groups, including those that form at our Discussion Board -- to address a Recommended Topic.
- Recommended ProblemSolvers are invited to propose an achievable ProblemSolver Solution to the Topic they were nominated to address.
- Users view and rate proposed Topics and ProblemSolver Solutions -- helping pare down submissions to best options for a balanced Selection Committee, (comprised of nationally respected leaders in relevant fields) to review.
- Selection Committee meets quarterly to review options and choose one monthly Topic and three corresponding ProblemSolver Solutions, for each month in the next quarter.
- At beginning of each month in that quarter, a Topic of The Month is posted, with multimedia presentations of up to three ProblemSolver Solutions for the public to consider.
- Over the course of the month, users are provided objective information to factor in, as they consider those options. That includes relevant history, legislation and any ethical concerns.
- Research and discussion at the site prepares users to be informed voters.
- Adult voters 18 years and older are counted as one group, while the youth vote (13-17 years) is counted as another.
Before voting for one
ProblemSolver Solution, users:
- Register to Vote (for our process, and by user choice for general elections), verifying identity
- Complete a Show You Know form, demonstrating comprehension of the relevant history, facts and other context which have been provided.
- Prior to the vote, Our Voice Our Country staff research and identify the key leaders in Washington most able to take action at the time, in response to The People's decision on this issue.
- The winning ProblemSolver Solution is integrated, with a concise description of the problem it addresses, into a People's Resolution. That document is hand delivered to those key leader(s) as described above. Video documentation of this delivery is posted at ourvoiceourcountry.org
- Constituents in support of a People's Resolution are able to Speak Out! on video or in writing at the Site, calling for their representatives to take prompt action that follows the People's Resolution
- A Scorecard is maintained, where responsiveness of each key leader who received a People's Resolution, and action(s) they have taken to follow The People's will are updated.
Interactive Features
The site has a number of interactive components that are available for use on an ongoing basis. Log in and agreement to Terms of Use is required. Cookies and javascript must be enabled. Features work best with recent browser editions.
Discussion Board
A meeting place where participants discuss/debate/meet/share ideas/and discover new perspectives on potential Topics, merits of ProblemSolver Solutions, relevant history, ethical decision making and more!
Research and Resources
Where to explore relevant history, pending and current legislation, background of American Popular Movements, ethical questions raised in ProblemSolver Solutions, and a wealth of related information.
Also home to the Archive, where past Topics, ProblemSolver Solutions, Show You Knows and more can be found.