Public Forum: Open Data 2019 Initiative - Round 1

Since its inception, OpenSavannah has been committed to the belief that residents should have easy access to information about their government 24/7.

But not all open data is created equal.

As we've found, while some open data can catalyze awesome civic projects and help restore civic trust, other open data, especially when presented out of context, can exacerbate existing economic, racial, and civic issues.

So, it's important that we, as residents, prioritize what datasets we value most to help inform the City as we begin our fall open data pledge and petition at the municipal level.

This participant-driven event is open to the public, and food and drink will be provided at 5:45 p.m. free of charge.

6 p.m. – Intro and welcome/onboarding
6:10 p.m – 6:15 p.m. – Attendee demographic census
6:15 p.m.-6:35 – "We're Going To Need a Bigger Tent"
6:40-6:50 – Overview of different types of open data and results from most recent mtg. with City re: feasibility.
6:50 p.m.-7:05 p.m. – Open mic discussion (1 min. per person max) lobbying others as to what datasets they should select.
7:05-7:20 p.m. – Voting at voting booths for top 5 most important datasets to you.
7:30 – Announcement of results and posting online! Then we adjourn.

We invite residents from all neighborhoods and public servants to attend.

Join us, won’t you?'

BUT WHY DOES OPEN DATA MATTER?
Open data fuels civic innovation, allows for for more efficient resource allocation, sheds light on city operations, and is a fundamental ingredient of a healthy civic bank account. Only by seeing and understanding how our government works will we be able to empathize with public servants and elected officials, as well as make informed decisions at the voting booths.