Democracy Creative is currently developing a citizens’ assembly “model” that can be used to help plan an assembly in Vermont and beyond

This model draws on guides, plans, and resources developed from theorists and practitioners across the world. It distills the various design elements that must be considered in designing and directing a citizens’ assembly, and outlines the various methods that have been implemented (or theorized) for each element.

We have two goals with this work:

  1. Aid in the advocacy efforts for citizens’ assemblies in Vermont by clarifying what is necessary to catalyze a citizens assembly and how to go about it; and
  2. Build a deeper understanding of the mechanics of citizens assemblies to guide the development of Assemble: the free and open-source platform for planning, moderating, and participating in a citizens assembly.

Updates from our work will be shared here as they become available.

Below is our current visual representation of this model:

DCCAM 1.1.png

DC DC Model v 1.1.pdf

Citizens’ Assembly Explainer

This video also provides a quick overview of what a citizens assembly is, and why it is useful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVfG8bv83NA

Citizens’ Assembly Public Information Session

On May 31st, 2023, we introduced Citizens’ Assemblies to Vermont with a “Public Information Session” hosted in Burlington City Hall. Full video is below.