How working groups form.

What this is

A working group is a temporary team that comes together around a specific problem (issue) to develop a document or position on it: to gather evidence, analyze the laws, and bring the result to publication.

This is not the same as local chapters — those bring people together by state and work on many topics at once.

Self-organization

Five steps of formation

Working groups are not just a chat. They are a structured process with entry thresholds, transparent rules, and public accountability.

Issue maturity

An initiative group can only form around an issue that has passed the Debate stage and gathered enough active participants.

At least 10 participants, status Drafting+
01

Step 1

of 5

Initiation

Any member with Contributor+ reputation can propose creating a working group, specifying the goal, the expertise needed, and the proposed structure.

Contributor (300+ karma) or Issue Editor
02

Step 2

of 5

Moderation and approval

The proposal is reviewed by the issue's editors and moderators. They check for duplication, the realism of the goal, and the presence of a core group of participants.

A decision within 7 days
03

Step 3

of 5

Forming the membership

The group coordinator invites members with the needed expertise. Joining requires a confirmed reputation in the topic or verification.

At least 3 members to launch
04

Step 4

of 5

Public work

All of the group's documents, discussions, and decisions are public. The group works to deadlines and publishes interim reports.

A report every 30 days
05

Step 5

of 5

Roles

Who takes part and what they do

Coordinator

Runs the process, publishes documents, moderates internal discussions.

Requirements: Expert+ in the topic or Issue Editor

Research contributor

Gathers evidence, analyzes data, writes sections of documents.

Requirements: Contributor+ with relevant annotations

Policy analyst

Analyzes the legislative context and compares it with the experience of other states.

Requirements: Verified identity + expertise in the topic

Community organizer

Connects the group to the wider community and collects feedback.

Requirements: Contributor+ active in discussions

Transparency

The rules for how groups work

Groups don't work behind closed doors. Everything they produce is public and verifiable.

  • ✓ All of the group's documents are publicly available
  • ✓ The version change history is preserved
  • ✓ The group's membership is visible to everyone
  • ✓ Decision-making criteria are published in advance
  • ✓ The minority can publish dissenting opinions
  • ✓ Results are verified before publication
More about governance

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