Fundamental to our effort is the requirement that every participant in a formal policy investigation be willing to sign a contract governing his or her acceptance of the rules of engagement.  The primary goal of our contract is remove efforts to substitute emotionally comfortable ideology for data backed factual investigation.  Below is the basic text of the contract

IDP Public Policy Investigation Contract:

 Issue: 

Whereas: 

1.  The above listed issue is an important public issue.

2.  The purpose of this gathering is to allow all interested parties willing to abide by the rules of engagement set forth below to explore the thinking of other persons about this issue.

3.  No finding or conclusion shall be drawn as an official function of this gathering.  No winner or loser will be determined in any manner. The purpose of the gathering is to allow each participant to explore their own thoughts on the issue and make inquiries of other persons regarding positions they do not agree with and/or do not understand.

4.  No person shall be allowed to participate in this gathering without accepting the terms of this contract and signing this contract to acknowledge that acceptance.

Further the below signed accepts and will abide by the following personal rules of engagement:

a.  I will at all times be civil and respectful of others thoughts and words.

b.  I will refrain from accusations or name-calling.

c.  I will respect the decisions of the moderator, and will leave the gathering if the moderator(s) determine I am not abiding by these rules of engagement. 

d.  I will not raise my voice to talk over others.  I accept that raising my voice will be deemed to be an effort to dominate, not communicate.  If I feel I cannot control my emotions I agree to step outside the meeting until such time I can control my emotions.

The below signed hereby agrees accepts and agrees to abide by the terms of this contract.

Name_______________________________       Date_____________________



For downloadable pdf versions of the contract with the guidelines please use the contact form at this website