Democracy Console Project

MISSION

The Democracy Console Project is a service channel dedicated to testing, researching, and developing civic participation software that leverages network theory principles to enhance democratic processes. We create open-source digital tools that meet or exceed US Election Assistance Commission standards while promoting transparency, accessibility, and security in civic engagement systems.

OBJECTIVES

1. Develop and test civic participation software that embodies network theory principles

2. Meet or exceed US Election Assistance Commission's technical and security standards

3. Create accessible, user-centered interfaces for diverse community participation

4. Document and publish research findings on democratic systems through network theory lens

5. Build open standards for interoperable civic engagement technologies

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research existing civic participation technologies and identify improvement opportunities

• Design and develop prototype software for testing in community settings

• Document compliance with Election Assistance Commission standards

• Submit monthly multimedia research on civic technology applications

• Coordinate volunteer testing groups for software validation

• Produce after-action reports following the NTARI standard format

• Maintain transparent development processes with public code repositories

• Connect service activities to network theory principles

• Submit monthly records to the NTARI Secretary as required by Bylaws

GOVERNANCE

This project operates under the Network Society Program Charter's three-tiered volunteer framework, led by a designated Lead Service Volunteer who reports to Volunteer Information Managers. All activities align with NTARI's Bylaws, particularly Article III regarding documentation requirements and quarterly mission standards. The project adheres to the Non-Discrimination Policy (Amendment 1) in all software design and community engagement.

EVALUATION METRICS

1. Compliance level with Election Assistance Commission standards

2. User adoption and engagement statistics from testing deployments

3. Quality and impact of monthly multimedia research publications

4. Volunteer participation rates and diversity metrics

5. Software accessibility scores and usability testing results

6. Security audit performance metrics

7. Alignment with quarterly mission standards and network theory principles

This objective statement serves as the guiding framework for all volunteers participating in the Democracy Console Project and may be amended through processes outlined in the Network Society Program Charter.