Membership

The purpose of the Members Forum is to discuss ideas, solutions and fundamental concepts, and to produce written positions for the AmericanPlatform.org public site from these discussions. This is not something you have to devote your life to: you can participate in your spare time to the degree that works for you.

Access to the Members Forum is for those who are committed to moving the United States of America forward, not whining. If you simply want to complain there are many other places on the web to do so. Issues will be discussed in a civil tone. Questions will be asked and answers sought. Decisions will be reached and platform positions created. These will be woven into main site and become part of AmericanPlatform.org's official positions. If you do not believe in American Exceptionalism you should not sign up.

The Members Forum will be organized and focused. There will be many topics, but each will laser in on specifics. There will be no smilies, avatars, member pictures or the like. This site is about getting to the business at hand. The members are expected to be serious and forward thinking and place emphasis on long term solutions and core principles.

Like America, AmericanPlatform.org will be created by, and is dependent on, average American citizens.

Some needs will be:

* Researchers. Those who have the ability and tenacity to dig around and find information needed by members will be highly valued. Truth will always trump ideology, so stick to the facts.

* Writers. Those who can effectively and succinctly convey the positions that the members create for posting to the AmericanPlatform.org web site.

* Those who are familiar with history and can bring perspective and reasoning to our positions.

* Anyone from an organization or web site that deals with issues or topics our members are discussing. Our members will evaluate the organization or web site, and their representatives, to determine relevance and reputation before they can be used as a continuing source of information. We do not want to bring in "experts" that turn out to be something else.

* Those especially interested in and knowledgeable about the progressive/liberal movement. Info on the historical foundations, direction of the movement, leading members, and analysis of how this movement contrasts and compares to the conservative movement will be important.

* People who are willing to moderate different sections of the Members Forum. Moderators are individuals (or groups of individuals) who look after the forums from day to day. Generally, moderators are present to prevent users from going off-topic or posting abusive or offensive material. They will also have input on the direction and scope of discussions and projects.

* People with skills in web site development, user interface, and information architecture that are willing to help create a better AmericanPlatform.org web site. There will eventually be a lot of information at AmericanPlatform.org, and we want visitors to have a logical, pleasant site to explore.

* Experts on our constitution.

* Experts on our justice system, with emphasis on the Supreme Court.

* Politicians who agree with our members and are willing to openly do so while running for elected office.

Generally:

* If you sign up, it is assumed you have read the Is This For You? page and the Starting Points pages. These pages will give you a clear idea of what this site is about.

* This is not the place to advocate socialism, big government solutions, or vent your feelings. The members of this site do not have the time or inclination to go round and round about things already decided, or things that can't be changed.

* Please check your spelling and refrain from personal attacks and profanity.

* Facts must be documented and capable of withstanding scrutiny.

* Although many issues are extremely complicated, please strive for brevity and clarity.

* Members will have access to polls. They can initiate them to see what others think about certain questions or concepts. They can respond to them to help others who are working on an issue get some input.

* Membership does not require 100% agreement with AmericanPlatform.org, and members are encouraged to bring up counter arguments and positions. But if you are continually off-topic and hindering progress you can be banned from the site.

* AmericanPlatform.org forum discussions will be issue based. Members will stay on subject and make their points without malice or derision.

* This site will only be produced in English.

Suggestions:

Rather than testing your sanity by trying to solve every issue or contribute to every topic, pick one or two that you are passionate about, and about which you have knowledge. It's better to contribute effectively in one or two areas than spread yourself too thinly.

When you have an idea for a topic or issue that may be ripe for inquiry, create a poll to the general membership to see if others agree, or are already working on it. If you get positive feedback you can ask members who respond if they would like to be part of the group you are thinking of creating. This way, you will find out in advance whether or not your idea sparks interest and will have members willing to help you.

To sign up, simply click the link below. It will open an email. Just type "Membership" as the subject and send it. You will receive an email response shortly with instructions on accessing the Members Forum.

AmericanPlatform.org Membership

If you have any trouble with the above link just send an email to:

membership@americanplatform.org

Please put the word "Membership" in the subject line.

Thank you!