The document outlines problems with the current political system including polarization and citizens relying too much on politicians. It presents an opportunity for citizens to get more involved by using social media and data tools. The proposed solution is a civic technology platform called Civic Way that would help citizens: 1) Track issues and government performance over time using public data, 2) Simplify complex issues using data visualization, and 3) Identify and promote solutions to improve communities through collaboration. The goal is to empower citizens to move from the sidelines to the frontlines of civic participation and accountability.

1. PROBLEM
n Politics have become polarized, corrosive ­and
dysfunctional
n Citizens rely too much on politicians to
­diagnose, debate and solve civic ills
n Our global competitiveness is slipping, and
many fear our best days are behind us
n Our proud competitive legacy—in education,
­health care, child care, commerce, natural
resources, ­energy and ­infrastructure—is at risk
n While willing to sow democracy abroad, we
have too often neglected its condition at home
OPPORTUNITY
n Seeing all sides and respecting different views
facilitate civic discourse
n Smart investments (e.g., public schools, higher
education, job training and infrastructure) and
efficient ­government make us more competitive
n Social networks, digital media and mobile technol-
ogy ­furnish an accessible and efficient platform for
informing, ­engaging and empowering citizens
n Concerned citizens, armed with reliable data and
networking tools, can tackle the issue, take action
and help shape the future
SOLUTION
Moving together from the sidelines to the front lines.
Civic Way offers an independent, non-partisan technology platform
to help citizens:
n Track It—Monitor, measure and report community vitality and government
performance—over time, against peers and against targets
n See It—Use public data in ways that clarify complex issues and causes
n Fix It—Identify, assess, refine and promote creative, cost-effective ways to
improve ­states, communities and ­civic institutions
n Own It—Join forces around common causes and spur lasting civic action
Civic Way gathers, synthesizes, summarizes, updates and delivers public data in
­standard, compelling formats. It simplifies data to illustrate ­complex issues and
­hold governments accountable. And it provides easy-to-use digital tools to help
ordinary citizens move from the sidelines to the frontlines.
SEE IT
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TRACK IT
PURPOSE
Explain what civic institutions do and
measure how well they do it
Simplify public data, clarify complex
public policy issues and forecast future
trends, threats and opportunities
Leverage the marketplace of ideas to
identify feasible solutions
Give civic leaders and citizens the
tools they need to make a difference
SAMPLE PRODUCTS
n Scorecard (competitive assessment)
n Profile (agency primer)
n Watch (issue primer)
n Digest (research abstract)
n Outlook (trend forecast)
n Ideas (promising solutions)
n Prototype (model laws or regulations)
n Connect (engagement tool)
n Catalyst (change agent primer)
VALUE
Track It
See It
Fix It
Own It
“Public policy is too
­important to be left
solely to the politicians.”
—PETER PETERSON
CIVICWAYPLATFORM
CONTACT
For more information,
please contact Robert Melville
at 919-619-2796.
Beacon
Track It.
See It.
Fix It.
Own It.
Let’s think for ourselves
…for a changeWAY
CIVIC
Beacon
Track It.
See It.
Fix It.
Own It.
Let’s think for ourselves
…for a changeWAY
CIVIC The open commons for civic
accountability and action
“Democracy
is not a
vicarious
experience.”
—BILL
BRADLEY
OWN IT
FIX IT
PLATFORM