Everything you need to bring sortition to your community. Follow these steps and you'll be up and running in no time.
1
Choose a Communication Platform
Pick how your chapter will stay connected
2
Schedule Meet-Ups
Set a time, place, and cadence
3
Get the Word Out
Post in communities and invite people
4
More Outreach
Contact local organizations for presentations
5
Tabling
Get a booth at local events
6
Checkpoint
Confirm you've hit key milestones
7
Meet with Elected Officials
Bring sortition to local government
8
Submit & Launch!
You're officially a chapter leader
Step 1 of 7
Decide on a Communication Platform
How will your chapter members stay in touch? Pick one to start — you can always switch later!
Use the Sortition USA DiscordRecommended
Signal
Slack
Email
Other
💡Discord lets you plug directly into the national SUSA community and is the easiest way to coordinate.
Pause here and email your progress
Step 2 of 7
Schedule Local Chapter Meet-Ups
Pick a spot and set a rhythm. Consistency helps build momentum.
Once every 2-3 months is recommended to start
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Step 3 of 7
Get the Word Out
Spread the word in your community. Check off each item as you go.
Post in our Discord and tag your state
Post on your local area's Reddit
Post in any local groups you're in (political, faith groups, etc.)
Invite your friends
📋 Template Language — Copy & Paste
Hello everyone, This is an Invitation to a casual get together of the ____ chapter of Sortition USA. If you're already a SUSA member, or a fan of Citizens' Assemblies and Sortition, or just interested in how we might fix our democracy, come join me (___) on: _____ @ ____ pm at _____
SortitionUSA.org (Formerly Democracy Without Elections) is a member-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit that promotes the use of democratic lotteries to bring power back to the people. In a democratic lottery (aka Sortition), everyday people from all walks of life are given a say on the issues that affect them, from redistricting to review of office-holders' performance, from budgeting to policy design and approval. By ensuring that leadership is drawn from a broad cross-section of society, this process creates a more representative and responsive government, one that better reflects the diversity of perspectives in the community. Our vision is a democracy led by the people, for the people, where government decisions are made by residents who bring fresh perspectives and life experiences. Our mission is to engage, inform, and support those who share our vision of a fairer, more authentic democratic process.
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Step 4 of 7
More Outreach
Contact these local organizations and ask to give a short presentation at one of their meetings.
Hello, my name is ____. I'm the leader of our local chapter of Sortition USA, an organization promoting using democratic lotteries. You can read more information about our movement at our website, sortitionusa.org.
We would like to do a presentation to your group if possible. Please let me know if I can attend and do a short presentation at one of your upcoming meetings.
Thank you for considering this request,
_____
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Step 5 of 7
Tabling
Find at least one opportunity to set up a table and talk to people in your community face-to-face.
Local Farmers Market
Local Fair
Block Party
Conference
🎯Tabling is one of the best ways to recruit — people love learning about sortition in person. Bring pamphlets and a sign-up sheet!
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Step 6 of 7
Checkpoint
Before moving on, make sure you've hit these key milestones.
Recruited at least 2 members
Held at least one in-person meet-up
Example: Advocate for 1 Civic Assembly
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Step 7 of 7
Meeting with Elected Officials
Time to bring sortition to local government. Find your local city council, city manager, and community outreach staff. Also consider the planning department.
How to approach the meeting:
Give a short overview of civic assemblies and their benefits
Ask open-ended questions about the representative's concerns or ideas. Take notes on how they respond and whether they offer next steps.
Offer to stay in touch and be helpful with their goals
🤝Email them and politely request a meeting with your group. Focus on listening and building a relationship — don't push too hard on the first visit.
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🎉
You're All Set!
Your Local Chapter Guide has been submitted. We'll be in touch soon to support you on your journey.
Welcome to the movement.
What happens next?
Our team will review your submission
You'll receive a welcome packet and resources
We'll connect you with other chapter leaders in your region
