Folsom will partner with Change.org to expand civic engagement. What to know
A platform known for promoting civic engagement through online petitions will partner with the City of Folsom to engage residents.
Folsom’s partnership with Change.org will have two phases. The first phase will gather community sentiment through online submissions, while the second phase will typically be a virtual meeting of about 100 people.
“Strong communities are built through listening and collaboration. This partnership gives residents a meaningful way to engage, share ideas and help identify solutions that reflect what matters most to Folsom,” Mayor Justin Raithel wrote in a statement.
Change.org has conducted similar programs in other cities, including Bozeman, Montana. City Manager Bryan Whitemyer said he was impressed with the report compiled for Bozeman. The Bozeman report separates responses by political affiliation, which, Whitemyer said, could help find common ground on what Folsom residents care about.
“That’s one of the things that I really like about municipal government — that it’s not necessarily a party-driven environment,” Whitemyer said at Tuesday’s city council meeting.
One of the other benefits will be educating residents about what is in the city’s control when it comes to potential projects, Raithel said, especially considering the partnership will be free.
“At the end of the day, if there’s not an action to be taken, there’s education about what the role of our government could be in solving that issue or maybe it’s a regional or a state solution,” Raithel said Tuesday.
People will be able to vote on subjects at ideasforchange.org/folsom. Voters will be able to weigh in on topics like the Highway 50 Empire Ranch Interchange and submit ideas of their own. Online submissions will be accepted through May 15.
“Change.org will host an online space where residents can not only share their own ideas about what would be good for the city, but also support and build on others’ ideas,” Duncan Lockard, general manager of civic dialogues at Change.org, said. “Our process engages a wide range of community members and builds consensus around practical policy solutions.”
Folsom will be the first city in California to have this partnership with Change.org, according to Erika Soto Lamb, a spokesperson for the nonprofit public benefit corporation.
