FAQs

Yes and No. Civic Assemblies are often compared to juries because participants are randomly selected and asked to carefully consider evidence before making recommendations. Although the groups decisions are just recommendations to the City Council after group deliberation and not a final verdict.

No. Participants are chosen for their lived experience, not prior knowledge. Learning is built into the process.

In Edgewater the outcome of a Civic Assembly is advisory to the governing body, City Council. City Council will use recommendations to assist with their decision making on the topic.

Each topic has different time requirements based on the level of information and education needed. On average a participant will need to participate in at least 6 hours on a topic. Edgewater is currently paying participants for their time in the scheduled meetings and also offering child care and language translation if needed. 

If you are interested in joining a Civic Assembly you will need to register and answer a few questions about yourself. Groups are formed based on demographics that match the demographics of Edgewater. Not everyone that registers will be placed on an assembly.