Our Golden Rule
INCITE EMPOWERMENT
Show People Their Power
This is not a guideline among many. This is the PURPOSE of all Democracy Spark communications.
Every piece of content we create—every article, every guide, every framework—serves one goal: showing people their power. Not just telling them they have it, but making it visible, tangible, and actionable.
Throughout history, grassroots power is the ONLY power that matters. Movements succeed when ordinary people act. They are not waiting for leaders—they ARE the leaders. Our work is to help them see that truth and act on it.
The 10 Principles That Serve the Golden Rule
Every Democracy Spark communication is built on these principles:
Talk About the Aspirational Vision More Than Current Failing - Show what their power can build
Create a Vision People Can SEE - Make the goal tangible and achievable
Give Solutions, Not Complaints - Show them what they can DO
Illustrate What Makes Your Vision Better - Build confidence in the path
Unify - We Need Everyone - Show collective power is unstoppable
Don’t Count Anyone Out - They’re Just Not There YET - Demonstrate the movement’s strength to include
Model, Don’t Just Tell - Prove the vision is possible NOW
Always Build Sentences in the Positive - And Make Them Credible - Help people visualize what they’re creating, grounded in solid sources so bold vision is believable and defensible
Love What You’re Doing and Let It Show - Make participation joyful, not just duty
Hold the Vision, Be Flexible on the Path - Trust people to find creative solutions
Our Standards
All Democracy Spark content meets these standards:
✓ Shows people their power - passes the Golden Rule test
✓ Grounded in credible sources - claims are factual and verifiable with primary sources cited
✓ Provides concrete actions - people know exactly what to do
✓ Written in the positive - builds toward something, not just away from threats
✓ Accessible and clear - serves volunteer organizers, not just professionals
These aren’t just writing techniques. These are core values.
Where This Comes From
Democracy Spark founder Bonnie A Ross brings 18 years of Fortune 100 organizational development experience (Disney Centers of Excellence) to grassroots democracy defense. This framework merges corporate organizational excellence with field-tested grassroots organizing—proven across 8+ states during the largest coordinated resistance mobilization in modern history.
The Golden Rule and 10 Principles represent Bonnie’s commitment that democracy organizing deserves the same level of communications excellence that corporations spend millions to develop. These standards reflect her core belief: empowerment isn’t optional, it’s the entire point.
Every piece of Democracy Spark content—whether it’s teaching others to communicate or communicating directly—embodies these principles. This is how we work. This is who we are.
We don’t just teach empowerment-focused communications. We model it in everything we create.
The Golden Rule + 10 Principles framework is the intellectual property of Democracy Spark and Bonnie A Ross. It may be freely used by grassroots organizations for democracy defense work. For commercial use or republication, please contact Democracy Spark.