Your proposal is created by discussing and answering the questions in each step. You will answer these questions using the discussion and answer window shown below.

• The discussion is carried on in messages just like the way you use email. You can view the conversation threads in the top right pane.
• A conversation is threaded when you can see how one comment is a reply to another comment. Threads allow you to focus on specific discussions.
• The beginning of each comment is displayed in the top right. Click a comment to see the whole comment in the lower right pane.
• Your goal is to discuss each question and develop answers to it. The answers are displayed on the left side.

How do I add a comment to the discussion?

• To reply to another comment or an answer, click the Reply with a comment button under the comment or answer in the lower right panel.
• To add a comment about the question itself, click the Add a comment button near the top of the discussion window.

• The comment form will open.

• Type your comment. Comments are limited to 1500 characters in length.
• Try to keep each comment focused on one issue - this makes it much easier for others to respond to specific issues and it allows the conversation to go deeper.
• Add variety to your comments: besides sharing facts and opinions, dig deeper by asking questions, think broader by trying to synthesize the various ideas in and beyond your team's discussion, and play the devil's advocate when appropriate.
• Click the Submit button to add your comment to the discussion.
• You will have 30 minutes during which you can edit or delete your comment by clicking the edit button under the comment in the lower right panel.

How do we develop answers?

• Any team member can suggest an answer to the question.
• All team members are expected to discuss and rate their agreement with the answers.
• Once an answer has been suggested, any other team member can edit the answer.
• Don't be shy! Suggest an answer. Your teammates will discuss it and help refine it.
• There are a few simple rules about editing team answers:
1. Edit an answer to improve it - but don't change its meaning.
2. If you disagree with an answer, add your own answer instead of changing an existing one. The team can discuss and rate both of them.
3. If an earlier author overrides your edits, please post a new answer; don't fight over an existing one by re-editing each other.
• A complete revision history is maintained for each answer so the team can follow how the idea evolves and also discourage malicious edits.
• Only answers that at least two team members agree with will be included in the proposal.

How do I add an answer to the discussion?

• To add an answer to the question, click the Suggest an answer button near the top of the discussion window.
• To add an answer in reply to another comment or an answer, click the Reply with an answer button under the comment or answer in the lower right panel.

• The answer form will open.

• Type your answer. Answers are limited to 500 characters in length.
• Try to keep each answer clear and concise.
• Remember, these answers will make up the body of your proposal - your audience is more than just your team mates, your audience is also the public. (Once your proposal has been completed.)
• Click the Submit button to add your comment to the discussion.
• Answers can be edited by any team members at anytime.

How do I rate an answer?

• To rate an answer, click a number in a green circle below an answer.

• Each answer has five circles, numbered one to five.

• Use the circles to indicate how much you agree or disagree with an answer.
• #1 corresponds to Strongly disagree.
• #5 corresponds to Strongly agree.
• The red check mark shows your current rating for this answer. If there is no check mark, you haven't rated this answer yet.
• You can re-rate an answer at any time.
• Team members are strongly encouraged to rate each answer, and to occassionally review their ratings in case the answer, or their understanding, has changed.
• The row of numbers below the circles shows how your team has rated this answer.
• Only answers that at least two team members agree, or strongly agree with, will be included in the proposal.
• If no one agrees with an answer, it can be deleted.
  1. Delete an answer by clicking the Edit button under the answer in the lower right panel.
  2. Click the Delete button in the lower right corner of the edit form.

How do I edit an answer?

• To edit an answer click the Edit button under the answer in the lower right panel.

• The answer form will open with the answer in it.

• Make your edits to the answer. Answers are limited to 500 characters in length.
• When you edit an answer you should be improving it, don't change the meaning.
  1. If you disagree with an answer, add your own answer instead of changing an existing one.
  2. If an earlier author overrides your edits, please post a new answer; don't fight over an existing one by re-editing each other.
• A complete revision history is maintained for each answer. The team can see how its ideas evolved, as well as expose inappropriate edits.
• Click the Submit button to add your comment to the discussion.

How do we know when we are finished?

• Below the answers we ask the question "Are you ready to move on?" This question is only displayed when there is at least one answer.
• When you are satisfied that the team has thoroughly explored the question and developed good answers, Click the Yes, I'm satisfied with this work button.
• If you aren't satisified, click the No, we should do more work here button.

• Don't just say you're not satisfied, do something about it!
  1. Reply to other comments and ask questions.
  2. Post a question to the team.
  3. Suggest a new answer or help improve an existing answer.
• When the majority of the team members are satisfied with the answers, you can move onto the other questions and then the next step.
• Each question is an important part of developing your team's understanding, proposal, and the case for its idea. These are all critical to developing a strong proposal, so don't be tempted to take shortcuts.

Keeping up with the discussion

• Each step and each question will display a call to action for you that alerts you to new comments and answers.
• Each morning you will receive an email report that contains all of the comments and answers that were submitted by your team during the previous day.
• You can reply to any comment in the daily email report by clicking the Reply link below the comment.
• Whenever someone replies to your comment, you will immediately receive an email notification. You can reply directly to this email just as you would to any other email. Your response must be typed at the top of the reply email.

A few more thoughts about developing a proposal:

• Your team proposal is automatically compiled from your team's answers.
• Other parliamentarians, and the public, will read your proposal, but not the comments.
• Always keep your audience in mind when creating and refining your answers.
• The best proposals are well reasoned and supported by persuasive ' arguments that others can understand and accept.
• Keep an open mind, if you jump straight to a preconceived solution you're unlikely to develop your best proposal, nor a convincing and persuasive argument.
• Add variety to your comments: besides sharing facts and opinions, dig deeper by asking questions, think broader by trying to synthesize the various ideas in and beyond your team's discussion, and play the devil's advocate when appropriate.
• Creating your team's answers is a collaborative process that depends on everybody's participation - Read the answers, rate them, and help refine them.