Sarasota Policy Wiki

Why Wiki? To provide a new platform for community input on public policies and issues. To encourage engagement of the public in open honest discussion of policy issues. To enrich the quality and depth of public input for the Board to utilize and consider during policy discussions.

A Wiki is… A wiki is a Web site that allows users to add and update content on the site using their own Web browser. This is made possible by Wiki software that runs on the Web server. Wikis end up being created mainly by a collaborative effort of the site visitors. A great example of a large wiki is the Wikipedia, a free encyclopedia in many languages that anyone can edit. The term "wiki" comes from the Hawaiian phrase, "wiki wiki," which means "super fast." I guess if you have thousands of users adding content to a Web site on a regular basis, the site could grow "super fast."Wikipedia Definition from the Tech Terms Computer Dictionary (

A Policy Wiki is… A policy wiki is a web site that allows users to add and update content related to a specific policy. A process that allows an actual draft policy to be created through the collaborative efforts of the site visitors.

How it Works The Policy Wiki is opened for a specific period of time. The Policy Wiki closed and the Wiki content is presented to the Board Staff completes the final policy following Board direction and incorporating information from other sources (mark-ups, public forums, comments received, etc...) as usual then schedules a public hearing to present the final policy to the Board for consideration.

Two Primary Components: Policy or Issue for public edit Comments/Discussion area

Public Side: Register for the site with a valid and user created password. Agree to adhere to the civility code Provide input through direct edit of the document, comments about specific areas of the document, ongoing e-discussion on related topics, and the creation of links to related references.

Staff Side: Responsible for hosting the site. (communication and public records considerations) Moderator Designated Technical Staff

Role of the Moderator Monitor the Wiki and act if needed to redact inappropriate content. Assist with public records requests related to the Wiki Process.

Role of the Designated Technical Staff Speak only to policy, process or practices pertinent to the discussion. All wiki entries by the staff designees should be made from within the County’s computer domain (scgov account and computer). Coordinate the wiki summary process after the wiki is closed.

Board Side: Wiki visible to the Board while it is in progress All of the wiki material will be made available to the Board (all versions, comments, discussions, and posted links) Staff will also present a summary of the wiki to include user statistics, identification of the most discussed areas of the document and any legal or conflicting issues identified in the final document produced by the wiki.

In closing, I want to refocus on the Desired Outcome we hope to achieve: A level of Collaborative Democracy in Policy Creation Believing that:  Collaborative work creates better documents  Technology enhances broader communication  Community better owns the project through discussions, data analysis, best practice input, and editing, drafting and implementing the regulation or policy framework.

Role of the Board: Benefit from review of the information provided through the wiki. Not to participate in the wiki or engage in exchanges that may be construed as violations of public meeting rules.

Remember this is Sarasota Policy Wiki 1.1 As we gain experience improved versions will follow incorporating lessons learned along the way.

Questions?