How do I get started?
Create a new account and then you can start a new organization. You can also accept an invitation to join an organization if you have received an email inviting you. (Don't worry, it's all free.)
What is it?
DeliberativeAssembly.com provides a web-based service for organizations to discuss issues and make decisions. Members can login anytime. Members review, discuss, and vote on Proposals.
Who uses it?
Corporate boards of directors, nonprofit boards, co-ops, church groups, student unions, fraternities and sororities, neighborhood associations, volunteer groups.
What types of decisions can we make?
Anything. At the most basic level, a Proposal is just text - it can approve a contract, establish house rules, appoint an officer, allocate funds - whatever the organization needs to do.
How is it different from a discussion board?
DeliberativeAssembly.com provides a way to reach legitimate decisions in a democratic way. At the end of the day the organization has a definite decision on an issue.
How is it different from Robert's Rules of Order?
DeliberativeAssembly.com serves the same purpose as
Robert's Rules, to make deliberative democratic decisions, it is just much more easy and fun.
Does it satisfy legal requirements for meetings?
Absolutely. And minutes are automatically recorded.
How much does it cost?
Basic usage is free! Premium services that streamline budgeting, financial reporting, and event planning will be available for a fixed annual fee. DeliberativeAssembly.com also provides custom solutions and organizational process consulting services.
Email us for more information.
How did you come up with it?
Frustrated with a lack of democracy in student groups, we knew there was a better way.
Read more about the history.
What is a "deliberative assembly" anyway?
Robert's Rules of Order defines a deliberative assembly as a group which meets according to some rules to determine collective action.
The object of Rules of Order in deliberative assemblies, is to assist an assembly to accomplish the work for which it was designed, in the best possible manner. - Major Henry M. Robert, preface to Robert's Rules of Order
The Rules
- Any member can create a Proposal at anytime and multiple Proposals can be considered simultaneously.
- Any member can change his vote on any Proposal that hasn't been approved or rejected at anytime.
- Proposals on the same issue are called Alternatives and only one Alternative can be approved.
- In order to be approved, a Proposal must receive more than 75% of votes in the first two days, 67% in the first ten days or 50% after ten days.
- Proposals can also be rejected from consideration with more than 75% of votes in the first two days, 67% in the first ten days or 50% after ten days.
For Developers
DeliberativeAssembly.com provides a Python interface for developers wishing to develop plugins. Plugins provide Actions. Actions can be attached to Proposals. When the Proposal passes, any Actions get executed. We have developed plugins that allow organizations to add and remove members and to set a Mission Statement. We are developing a simple budgeting and financial reporting plugin.
Email us if you have ideas or for information and the API.
