MindMixer

An online town hall forum, MindMixer gives citizens a space to share ideas, and community leaders a resource to gain ideas and input. It allows anyone to contribute from anywhere with an internet connection, increasing participation in the town planning process by eliminating time and location constraints.

First, MindMixer helps identify the main focus areas by talking to civic leaders about the most common issues brought up in the community. A custom site is then created for the community, allowing leaders to add information about the issues and citizens to learn more, ask questions, and submit ideas. This forum is open anyone with creative, innovative ideas for tackling the pressing topics identified in the community. Citizens can vote on which ideas they think are the most viable for the particular topic, with a rating system completely based on merit. Voters may also give feedback and make comments or suggestions on the submissions. MindMixer then provides ideas, and encourages discussion, for how to implement the ideas generated through the voting process.

MindMixer provides the tools for communities to get the most out of their online collaboration forum:

• site hosting
• site administration and customer service
• user and client email and texting notifications
• project reporting
• reward systems to successful ideas 

To encourage creative, resourceful solutions to community issues, MindMixer gives rewards to the most highly rated submissions. Also to encourage ongoing momentum within communities, MindMixer tracks the most involved citizens and reaches out to these individuals for future planning projects. This tool democratizes the town planning process by allowing everyone to express their ideas and let their voice be heard.