the public lobby

citizens united in participatory democracy

We believe that democracy works best when more people can participate in shaping the decisions that affect their communities.

Public policy and government processes can feel confusing, overwhelming, and difficult to access. People want to get involved but do not know where to start, do not have enough time, or feel like the system was not built for them.

We believe civic participation should be easier to understand, more welcoming, and more accessible to everyone — not just experts, insiders, or people with money and influence.

We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility.  It’s easy to say, ‘It’s not my child, not my community, not my problem’. Then there are those who see the need and respond.  I consider those people my heroes.

mister rogers

core beliefs

  • Democracy is at risk. There are people with disproportionate power and wealth who are working to weaken our government and make it less fair. We must take action to protect it.
  • Economic inequality is a core problem. When wealth is controlled by only a few people, democracy suffers. We focus on effective and sustainable ways to make sure everyone has a fair chance for self-determination and survival.
  • The isolation and disempowerment are by design.  People are intentionally kept exhausted, overextended, and disconnected from public systems to meaningfully participate in civic life. As people retreat from shared spaces and one another, communities become easier to divide and disempower.
  • Dividing people by race, religion, gender, or sexuality hides bigger issues. Throughout history, those in power have used these divisions to keep people from working together for economic and social justice. We are committed to breaking down these barriers to stand together.
  • True advocacy requires weaponization of privilege towards self-determination. We recognize that access, influence, and credibility are determined by those with power—and intentionally using them to shift decision-making power toward the people most affected, so that self-determination is not just an ideal, but something actively built into how systems operate.
  • Listening is key. We believe communities are stronger when people can listen to each other, learn from different experiences, and work together around shared goals — even when they disagree.

Our Shared Commitment

By participating in Public Lobby, we commit to:

  • Showing up respectfully
  • Learning from one another
  • Building community
  • Encouraging curiosity
  • Supporting civic participation for everyone
  • Helping make public policy more understandable, collaborative, and community-driven

A stronger democracy starts with more people feeling like they belong in the process.

Working agreements

Our goal is to help everyday people build the confidence, skills, and relationships needed to engage in local policy and community decision-making. These agreements help guide how we work together.

1

Lead with curiosity and joy

Ask questions. Listen to understand. Stay open to learning from people with different experiences and viewpoints.

2

Learn From Each Other

We value lived experience, community knowledge, and shared learning. Participation should not depend only on credentials or so-called expertise.

Active democracy is a muscle we can we exercise–learning by doing.

Everyone has something to teach and something to learn.

3

build community through humanity

Strong communities create stronger democracy. We focus on trust, relationships, participation, and mutual support — not just winning arguments.

In-person interactions are essential for humanizing our work. Meeting face-to-face deepens connections, calms our minds and fosters creative problem-solving.

4

Leave room for growth

Treat others with respect and give people room to learn and grow. When mistakes happen, address them directly and constructively.

5

Make Policy Accessible

Public policy should not feel confusing or exclusive. Use clear language, share knowledge openly, and help others participate.

6

Participation Matters More Than Expertise

You do not need to be an expert to participate in democracy. Everyone starts somewhere, and every contribution matters.

7

scale through diverse participation & partnerships

People participate in different ways — attending meetings, researching issues, organizing events, supporting neighbors, or simply learning. All of it matters.

Partnering with community groups, small businesses, public institutions, religious institutions and policy makers helps us scale.

8

Focus on Local Impact

Local decisions shape everyday life and is something we can affect more readily.  There’s also strong proof that working on local projects leads to progress nationally.

Involvement in all levels of city and county government, public meetings, planning, budgeting, committee and community issues will help us be coordinated and impactful.

9

Build Civic Skills Together

We will work collaboratively in small, decentralized groups to help another grow skills like public speaking, research, collaboration, facilitation, active listening, and community organizing.

When organizing is decentralized, people can participate in ways that fit their skills and energy levels. This keeps our movement strong.

10

Engage Constructively With Public Officials

We aim to work with policy makers respectfully and thoughtfully by asking questions, reporting community and desk research, and sharing ideas and community perspectives.

11

Welcome Many types of Voices

Healthy democracy requires broad participation. We commit to learning how to effectively weaponize our privilege to make space for others.  We will work to ensure our spaces are where people feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, and being heard.

12

Practice Healthy Conflict and Repair

Conflict is a normal part of democracy.

We encourage:

  • Direct and respectful communication
  • Addressing issues early when possible
  • Curiosity before assumption
  • Repair-focused conversations

When additional support is needed, the community may help facilitate conversations and identify constructive next steps.

We also recognize that safety matters. In situations involving abusive or harmful behavior, protecting the well-being of the community comes first.

13

Commit to Long-Term Civic Participation

Democracy is not just about elections. We are building lasting habits, relationships, and systems that make civic participation easier and more sustainable for everyone.