Present your case

After a week or two, trends in the votes and comments will be clear. It's time to present your case to the decision makers.

While it's possible to do this over the phone and email, it will be most effective if it is done in person:

• Make appointments with each of the decision makers (e.g., councilmembers or board members). Most people are more comfortable meeting with decision makers if they are not alone. If you can gather a few members of the community to help, make appointments for two people to meet with each decision maker.
• Print out copies of the Kitchen Democracy tally and comments, and bring them to the meetings.
• During your meeting, explain that Kitchen Democracy
  • is a neutral forum which democratically selects balanced issues
  • promotes robust discussion, reflected in the printed tallies
  • is an addition to - not a replacement for - existing channels of communication with city hall
  • while not necessarily representative of the entire population, adds valuable insight into what many are thinking
  • records the decision for permanent public reference on the website.
• Decision makers don't like to make enemies - which they often do among decision 'losers'. You may want to suggest that because widespread support is publicly documented, the losers' dissatisfaction won't be so focused on the individual decision maker.
• Decision makers are usually dedicated public servants who are often confronted by angry demanding constituents. A friendly, constructive approach will make a lasting positive impression.
• If your issue is being discussed during a public hearing, submit the Kitchen Democracy tally and comments to the clerk for inclusion into the pre-hearing packet for the decision makers' review. (This is usually about a week prior to the hearing.)

Following these suggestions, your case will be among the most persuasive that the decision maker has ever heard.