I’m willing to bet that most of us are tired of hearing about fiscal cliffs and sick over the way our government functions. Too little sway with leaders, too many unfulfilled promises, too much money spent and too few results, not enough cooperation between parties, not enough representation of different voices… the list of irritants could go on and on. CrowdHall may have the right medicine to mend our body politic.
The Floor Is Yours
CrowdHall is a free platform that hosts online crowd-sourced town hall style discussions. It’s a place where people can post their thoughts and questions to either organizations or leaders, and engage in visible, two-sided exchanges. Here’s how it works:
1) Step In – Join the town hall of people or organizations that matter most to you. Or form your own.
2) Speak Up – Ask questions or voice your opinion here. The crowd votes on content. This brings the greatest concerns and most popular ideas to the forefront.
3) Be Heard – Instead of wondering if anyone is listening, receive public responses. Not only are conversations visible onsite, but they can be shared easily throughout other social networks.
We’re All Accountable
Embedding the CrowdHall forum in websites allows public figures to amplify their interaction with constituents. Easy and public access to leaders at CrowdHall intends to encourage more people to participate in government more frequently.
Tech Remedy
We’re sick, sick and tired, and all signs indicate that our democracy is sick, too. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that CrowdHall’s CEO and co-founder Austin Hackett has a background in medicine. Hackett has taken a break from med school at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons to heal our communication system between citizens and representatives.
Co-founder Jordan Menzel has a background in foreign service, business, and Internet development. After earning a Master’s degree from Georgetown University, he’s worked as a legislative assistant in the Utah State House of Representatives, as part of numerous humanitarian programs, and as a teaching assistant to the Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
An Open Future
The presidential election should not be the end but just the beginning of our voices being heard in the country. How often do our best ideas see the light of day? CrowdHall fuses our old school sense of community with the our latest social networking potential. CrowdHall’s technology makes it easier than ever to join conversations, so there’s no excuse to not participate.
The model isn’t limited to interaction with elected officials. Any organization that has a following, any public figure for that matter, might stimulate more meaningful discussions using the format. The platform might facilitate virtual conferences or discussions of great variety. Become active and be heard at CrowdHall, still in beta today.
