About, Ethics & Governance
Our mission, independence guarantee, Code of Conduct, and privacy standards.
About the AZparticipate Initiative
AZparticipate was founded by Kent Benson, a resident of Southern Arizona. At 85 years old, Kent brings decades of programming and artificial intelligence experience, alongside a lifelong commitment to civic responsibility. Kent has no formal political background or partisan ties; his sole goal is to empower ordinary citizens with a credible, structured voice.
Why Focus on Retirees and Ordinary Citizens?
Retirees possess a lifetime of professional experience, wisdom, and—crucially—the time to follow public issues carefully. However, many civic tools today are either noisy social media petitions or partisan fundraising operations.
AZparticipate is different: we don't hold endless meetings or ask for money. We provide concise, fact-checked one-page briefs that let citizens pick up the phone or write a 3-paragraph letter that commands the respect of congressional staff.
Independence Guarantee & Non-Affiliation
Strict Independence Notice
AZparticipate is an independent, non-partisan constituent organization. It is NOT affiliated with, sponsored by, authorized by, or financed by Representative JoAnna Mendoza, the Mendoza for Congress campaign, the U.S. House of Representatives, or the United States Government.
- We never use official congressional seals, emblems, or logos.
- We never speak on behalf of the Representative or their staff.
- We never send automated messages or robo-calls on anyone's behalf.
- Every member contacts the office as an individual constituent exercising their constitutional First Amendment right to petition the government.
Code of Conduct
Credibility is our highest asset. Congressional staff listen to AZparticipate members because our communications are consistently accurate, constructive, and courteous. All members agree to uphold these non-negotiable principles:
1. Accuracy Over Outrage
Factual claims in our Issue Briefs must carry verifiable source links (e.g. Congressional Research Service reports, Congressional Budget Office scores, or statutory bill text). We never circulate unverified rumors, partisan hyperbole, or speculative conspiracy theories.
2. Respect for Congressional Staff
Staffers in Washington and district offices are dedicated public servants who work long hours, do not set policy, and frequently endure verbal abuse from frustrated callers. Treat every staff member with patience, professionalism, and kindness. Hostile, profane, or abusive behavior results in immediate account suspension.
3. Authentic Individual Voice
Never send robot-generated text or copy-paste identical form letters. Use our talking points as a factual foundation, but always frame your message in your own words with your own local Southern Arizona story.
4. Constructive Internal Deliberation
Issue Team members may hold different perspectives on policy solutions. Internal team discussions must remain courteous, evidence-focused, and centered on what best serves the people of Arizona's 6th Congressional District.
5. Zero Tolerance for Harassment & Doxxing
Never publish private contact details of congressional staff, volunteers, or fellow members. Threats of violence or personal harassment will be reported to law enforcement immediately.
Privacy Policy
We believe that civic participation should never require sacrificing your personal privacy. Our privacy architecture adheres to strict data minimization principles:
Our Privacy Principles
- Minimal Data Collection: We collect only your name, email address, and ZIP code. Providing a street address is completely optional.
- Constituent Verification Only: If you provide a street address, it is used strictly to verify that your residence is within the legal boundaries of AZ-06. We store the verification status, never publish your address, and never sell or rent your information to political campaigns or commercial brokers.
- Zero Secrets in Git: All API credentials, email service keys, and database configs are protected via Cloudflare encrypted secrets.
- Zero Personal Data in Google Drive: Our public Google Drive folder is strictly for public policy documents, research papers, and CRS reports. No member data is ever uploaded to Drive.
- Your Right to Delete: You may request complete deletion of your account, action history, and contact details at any time by emailing the administrator.
Contact Administrator
Have a question about the project, want to suggest an Issue Team topic, or wish to help organize in your neighborhood?
Get in Touch
Administrator: Kent Benson
Email: kent.benson@gmail.com
District Focus: Arizona's 6th Congressional District (AZ-06)
For questions regarding the open-source template or adapting this project for another congressional district, please include "Template Inquiry" in your subject line.
Send Email to Kent Benson →