It means you get involved. Technically, our local forms of government are not participatory democracies. Officially, participatory democracy is direct democracy, in the sense that all citizens are actively involved in all important decisions.
It shouldn't if washed with gentle care. Rayon is a cellulose fabric and like most cellulose fabrics, it may shrink when washed. If the manufacturer has indicated the garment should be dry cleaned only, do not push your luck. If it is hand-washable though, you can use the gentle cycle on your washing machine and Woolite to get the job done.
Pure rayon DOES shrink in the dryer. More Info: Viscose rayon, which is rayon that is not woven with another material, has a low wet strength, which makes it vulnerable to shrinking in the wash. Viscose rayon garments are usually labeled as dry clean only. Many rayon fabrics are blended with other fabrics such as polyester and if present in a ratio of at least 30% of the overall garment, it is generally safe to wash and dry.