Question It!

A lot people have questions about clean elections and campaign finance reform. The use of private fundraising has systematically disenfranchised many citizens from understanding campaign financing. This activity will provide a comfortable and safe space for members to ask questions they have about Democracy Matters, money in politics and/or clean elections.

Goal:

Members will feel more knowledgable about issues surrounding money in politics.

Objective:

1) Members can ask questions

2) Members will collectively work to answer their questions.

Materials:

Several pieces of paper (1/2 of a 8” by 11”)

Markers

Tape

Process:

1) Give each student a piece of paper.

2) Ask them to write their burning question (about money in politics, Democracy Matters or clean elections). Keep this question private!

3) After everyone is finished writing, collect the questions.

4) Ask one person to read the questions — no one should try to answer them.

5) Ask another person to tape the questions to the board (or wall).

6) Collectively group the questions thematically.

7) Arrange the questions on the board.

8) Once everyone agrees that the questions are appropriately organized, break members up into small groups (one group per theme).

9) Give members a determined amount of time to discuss and brainstorm “answers” to the questions in their themes. If time and resources allow, let members use the internet to help them find answers.

10) Bring all members back together and have a report from each group.

11) Open discussion up to the entire group.

12) Brainstorm how any unanswered questions could be answered (i.e. ask DM staff link, refer to DM website or other websites such as www.opensecrets.org or www.publiccampaign.org).