> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://democracy-distributed.gitbook.io/democracy-distributed-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://democracy-distributed.gitbook.io/democracy-distributed-docs/contribute/get-involved.md).

# Get involved

DD is an early, open project, and we're always looking for feedback and for people to help build it.

## Tell us what you think

DD starts from a simple idea: the way governments and groups make decisions and spend money feels distant and hard to follow, so most people tune out. DD's answer is one shared way to record how any organization works, so anyone can see how it all connects, and a way for people who care about the same things to find each other and act together.

We'd love to hear what you think, whether it's "I'd use this", "I'd do it differently", or "here's what's missing". Feedback shapes where DD goes next. Use the **Feedback** link at the bottom of any page. See [Suggestions and feedback](/democracy-distributed-docs/contribute/suggestions-and-feedback.md).

## Why volunteer with DD?

* **It matters to you.** You care about how decisions get made, in your city, your community, or your workplace, and you'd like to help make that visible.
* **You want experience in a field.** Each team below is a real domain with real work you can point to, from research and design to marketing and data.
* **You want to shape something from the start.** DD is early, so ideas and effort can change its direction.

## Two ways in

### Quick help

A few minutes to an evening, no commitment:

* **Share what you know:** a source, a correction, or local knowledge about your city or neighbourhood
* **Pick up a small task:** [email](mailto:ajaymatharoo11@gmail.com) to ask what's open

### Join a team

An ongoing role, with work you can point to. These are the areas where DD needs help. If one interests you, we'd love to talk.

| Team                           | What it does                                                                          | Example work                                                                   |
| ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Data & Research**            | Finds, loads, and links public data such as budgets, council decisions, and contracts | Add 2025 Toronto data; bring DD to a second city                               |
| **User Research**              | Learns who DD is for and what they actually need                                      | Interview residents, journalists, or community groups; synthesize what we hear |
| **Design & UX**                | Shapes how DD looks and feels, across WikiGov and POD                                 | Improve the org page; sketch POD's group workspace                             |
| **Marketing & Communications** | Tells DD's story and brings people in                                                 | Write posts; run social channels; prepare hacknight pitches                    |
| **Community & Onboarding**     | Welcomes volunteers and keeps the team connected                                      | Run onboarding; buddy new volunteers; organize meetups                         |
| **Partnerships**               | Builds relationships with journalists, community groups, and other projects           | Reach out to newsrooms; find community groups to pilot POD                     |
| **Documentation**              | Keeps these docs clear and current                                                    | Improve a page; write a guide                                                  |
| **Engineering**                | Builds the platform                                                                   | *Code isn't public yet. Talk to us if you're interested.*                      |

## DD runs on DD

DD aims to run the same way it asks every organization to: its teams, roles, decisions, and money in the open, on its own platform. DD is meant to be the first POD group, and as the tools come online, this page is meant to become DD's own organization page on DD.

## Say hello

The best way to reach out right now is email: [**ajaymatharoo11@gmail.com**](mailto:ajaymatharoo11@gmail.com). Tell me a bit about yourself and what caught your interest, or just send your feedback.

If you'd rather chat, you can also find DD on the Civic Tech Toronto Slack in [#proj-democracydistributed](https://civictechto.slack.com/archives/C09A5S6B7QE) ([join the Slack](https://join.slack.com/t/civictechto/shared_invite/zt-4bf2j3rf8-LV5FBBR4U0R6nKIHmIcitw)). It's quiet for now. I'm sometimes at Civic Tech Toronto's Tuesday hacknights ([civictech.ca](https://civictech.ca)), so email first if you'd like to meet in person.

Nobody is expected to know how everything works on day one. We'll find a small, well-defined first step together.