For event details see: http://seattleneighbors.eventbrite.com
For post event SEATTLE exchange, join: http://www.facebook.com/groups/seattleneighbors/
For national exchange, join Locals Online: http://e-democracy.org/locals
We plan to share some video from the event.
2. Welcome
Overview and Seattle Neighbors Online Surf
Introductions - Seattle Share-a-thon
Numbers – Who’s Missing Intro
Micro Break (if time)
In-Depth: Outreach, Inclusion, and
Engagement in St. Paul and Minneapolis
Closing Questions, Discussion, Connections
3.
4.
5.
6. Social connections, family-friendly
Safety and crime prevention
Mutual benefit , sharing stuff
Greater voices and civic engagement
Social capital generator
Openness and inclusion (if done right)
= Stronger communities
Resources: Block Activities, Block Connectors,
Locals Online, Soul of the Community
7. Two-way online “groups” at core
Connecting at two primary levels:
Block-level, neighborhood crime watch
▪ Very Private, Covering ~100 households, typically
resident-only, often “cc:” e-mail chains
Neighborhood/Community-wide
▪ Public , Semi-Public (request to join), or Private -
Covering hundreds to thousands of households
8. 27% of adult Net users (22% overall) use
“digital tools to talk to their
neighbors and keep informed
about community issues.”
Source: Neighbors Online study from PewInternet.org, 2010
9. “Joiners” – 10.5% of adult Net users
members of neighborhood e-mail lists, forums, or
social network site groups
Includes 7% on e-lists/forums or ~10 million
folks across ~20,000 to 40,000 online spaces
– DC, Seattle, Mpls, etc. have deep history
Source: Neighbors Online study from PewInternet.org, 2010
10.
11. Seattle must have the most placeblogs per capita!
Editor in center with “news” models vs. groups
12. West Seattle Blog’s
Forums
Most successful
media-sponsored
local online forums
in the world??
Local web-based
“forums” in U.S. rare,
popular in UK
13. Imagine a shared e-mail box for
your neighborhood:
neighbors@inyourarea.org
14. From our directory:
YahooGroups mostly, Admiral - 123 members
“forum host” is crucial Alki Beach- 185
Ballard - 110
Few are “public” - hard Beacon Hill
to “see” the Hillman City - 192
awesomeness your Georgetown - 557
area is missing Greenwood - 420
Montlake - 946
Talk2 Seattle.Gov North Ravenna
Dozens! Mostly nhood Squire Park - 330
assoc work??? Can’t tell South Park- 759
how active
15. Moms/Parents E-Lists
Seattle has a massive
network ~20
MUST live in a certain area
Biggest – Ballard 1705, N
Beacon 1876, Madrona
2785, Magnolia 903 …
Seattle “Dads” 1
16. Hillman Brighton
moved from
YahooGroups
Host likes pictures
in Member
Directory
Few FB Groups for
Seattle Nhoods?
17. This Week in Seattle Free trees
Missing bike School walk
Chickens
“foro de discusión” –
Seeking Spanish-
Gunshots
speaking folks
Free stuff Voter registration
City council Nickelsville
Folk club Bikes for books
Food forest
Suicide prevention
Spanish lesson guy
Strawberry plants
Neighbor needed for
Nhood meeting school project
18. Green Lake blog
moved to
EveryBlock
Everyblock
serves ~20 major
cities, started as
local data to map
site, added
community
19. Private residents-only
“social network for
your neighborhood”
Venture funded, partnering
with some governments
Mostly small groups, but can
cover thousands of residents
(no access for local business,
community orgs, elected
officials by design)
20. #bainbridge
Very social
“Organic”
Tags launched
during crisises
21.
22.
23. Everyone Neighbors Online
Name
Group Members
Neighborhood/Place
Which one
Top question?
Which tech platform
How long a member
Diverse Voices Most recent example
Social Media Important or useful
Which community(ies) example
Current online efforts
24.
25. Neighborhood E-Lists/Forums – 7% Overall
15% of online households over $75K – 5 times higher!
3% of online households under $50K
3% Latino
2% Rural …
8% Blacks and Whites
9% Women, 5% Men
Of 22% of ALL adults who “talk digitally with
neighbors”: Only 12% under 30K, Over 75K 39%
Source: Neighbors Online study from PewInternet.org, 2010
26.
27. 1994 – World’s first election information web site
AND Minnesota Politics two-way e-list
1998 – Minneapolis and St. Paul Issues Forums –
“online town hall” model
2005 – UK grant to pilot, Bristol and Oxford asked
for neighbourhoods in ’07
2008 – Minneapolis neighborhoods get started
Mixed classic “neighborhood e-list” with PUBLIC online town hall with
neighborhood watch, Freecycle, Craigslist (non-selling), community
news and bulletin board for areas with 5,000 to 15,000 residents
28. Goal to build civic engagement and raise diverse
voices NOT being met by all volunteer start-up
activity … foundation to build on
2010-11 – Ford Foundation - pilot Inclusive Social
Media effort – deep engagement in Cedar Riverside,
expanding to Frogtown (note 60 page evaluation)
2012-14 – Knight Foundation – scaling to 16
Neighbors Forums reflecting diversity with outreach
and active forum engagement to reach ~10,000
daily participants
29. Series by Eric Fisher
Red is White, Blue is Black,
Green is Asian, Orange is
Hispanic, Yellow is Other, and
each dot is 25 residents.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38. 1.Create online spaces for neighbors to
connect with each other in the ways that
they want.
2. Make sure these spaces are as
representative as possible of the
neighborhoods themselves.
3. Create opportunities for people who do
not usually have a voice in their
neighborhoods, to have a voice.
39.
40. “Local” online public places to:
share information, events, ideas
discuss neighborhood issues
gather diverse people in an open place
take action and promote solutions
Our neighborhood-level Issues Forums are powered by
two-way group communication
We host over 40 neighbors/community forums in 17
communities across 3 countries today
41. Public (vs. private groups)
Open access (vs. invite only)
Publicly searchable archive
(vs. member only access)
Local scope
Encourage strong civility
Must use real names, accountability
43. City Hall
Local Media
Neighbor #1
Coverage
N
E Neighbors
Your I Local Biz
Networks G Forum
H Join the Online
B Forum
O
R
S
In-person
Conversations Shared on
Facebook
45. Being local means we can easily meet
and act together
Community garden effort launched
“It’s cold” discussion results in winter wear drive to
help recent immigrants
Sexual assault response by “Mom”
and 400+ rally on a cold winter
night, community brainstorming
48. Topics like: • Helping neighbors
Community news • Local history
Crime and safety • New small businesses
Crisis response • Landlord issues
Schools and parks • Local
Service provider
environment/recycling
recommendations – • Questions of every kind
home repairs, child – “What was that
care, etc. noise?”
49. Community/cultural events
Neighborhood meetings
Local news, photos, video
Free stuff (selling is rare/not promoted)
Elected official updates
Lost or found pets
In any language
Bi-lingual announcements encouraged
50. Via the web:
e-democracy.org
Or beneighbors.org
▪ Directory starting in Twin Cities
▪ Join via Facebook Option Available
51. Via simple paper sign-up sheets
Sign up at local events, by neighbors, or
when doorknocked.
52.
53. Pilot expansion methods across multiple
neighborhood/forums
Special outreach to diverse communities in
Minneapolis and St. Paul:
▪ Latino
▪ Native American
▪ East African
▪ African American
▪ Hmong/SE Asian
54. Face-to-face outreach, paper signup sheets,
and a personal approach are by far the most
successful recruiting methods
Building trust is essential. Knowing that
“someone like me” is on the forum makes a
difference.
Personal invitations and direct support help
people get started with posting.
54
55. Partnering with respected neighborhood event
organizers creates opportunities to participate
in community activities and offer people the
chance to sign up for our forums.
Understanding people’s needs and helping find
ways for those needs to be addressed through
the forum smoothes the path for their
participation and continued involvement.
Ford foundation funded, 2010-2011
57. Members: Forum provides new information and
alternative viewpoints
Elected officials pay attention to forum posts
Community organizations who actively participated
found it relevant and rewarding
Range and depth of conversations dependent on
forum members’ willingness to share opinions, ask
questions, and seek input
58.
59. Goal: Recruit and engage 10,000+ Saint Paulites
by 2014
Focus outreach on highly diverse, immigrant
and low-income communities online
Knight Foundation funded, 625K 3 year grant
(through end of 2014)
Applied Ford lessons
60.
61. Utilize grassroots community organizing
techniques to bring a diversity of neighbors
onto the forums.
Bring in around 3000 new members over the
summer and begin building relationships in
Saint Paul communities.
Hire ~10 multi-lingual outreach team
members working 15 hours a week
62. 1.Create online spaces for neighbors to connect
with each other in the ways that they want to.
2. Make sure that these spaces are as
representative as possible of the neighborhoods
themselves.
3. Create opportunities for people who do not
usually have a voice in their neighborhoods, to
have a voice.
62
66. 1. Research and set goals.
2. Intensive recruitment and training
66
67. 1. Research and set goals.
2. Intensive recruitment and training
3. Utilized shared access tools to manage
logistics increasing mobility and capacity of
team (Google Docs, etc.)
67
69. 1. Research and set goals.
2. Intensive recruitment and training
3. Utilized open access tools to manage
logistics increasing mobility and capacity of
team
4. Lots of on the ground outreach!
69
70. 1-7 people at 39 different community events
yielding 692 new members.
15 people attended 12 community meetings
yielding 76 new members.
Staff went to 28 community locations, oftentimes
libraries and recreation centers, yielding 340 new
members.
We covered 10 Neighborhood Night Out locations
yielding 182 new members in a single night.
74. 1. Research and set goals.
2. Intensive recruitment and training
3. Utilized open access tools to manage
logistics increasing mobility and capacity of
team
4. Lots of on the ground outreach!
5. Remembering to think long term about
empowerment and voice.
74
76. 1. Surname analysis shows 30%+ of targeted
forums appear to be from racial/ ethnic
communites.
2. We launched neighbors forums in 16 of 17
Saint Paul neighborhoods.
3. Saint Paul neighbors forums virtually
doubled from 2,863 on June 4 to 5,609 on
September 11, resulting in 48.96% of the the
total Stp membership being new!
77. 200% increase in St. Paul (blue)
memberships since Jan 1.
Mpls (red) all volunteer “organic”
word of mouth growth
78. 1. Build up local volunteer capacity in forum
engagement developing deep relationships
in community - goal:
Forums that better reflect the diversity of
neighbors in the “virtual room.”
2. Ensure partnerships to be mutually beneficial
3. Execute an intense forum engagement plan
78
79. Do you work with minority/low income/
immigrant populations?
Are you interested in building up a network
that allows more neighbors to connect with
each other?
79
81. We’d love to connect with you more!
Corrine.bruning@e-democracy.org
612-229-4471
OR
~ Steven Clift - clift@e-democracy.org
On Twitter @edemo
More: e-democracy.org/contact
81
82.
83.
84.
85. Digital inclusion for community engagement leverages
other key efforts
Engagement
Digital Literacy
Online and Computer Skills
Technology and Broadband Access
86. All kinds of
neighbors can be
connected online
60 Pages:
e-democracy.org/evaluation
Free in-depth
webinar
87. Someone needed help.
The Wheel of Cheese
Frantic online forum request:
“Is anyone flying to Seattle in
next 12 hours? I am stuck out
of town. Can you take a wheel of cheese to the national
competition? Ours went missing. Homeland Security won’t
let us overnight replacement.”
Neighbor replies, “I am a former airline employee and I’ve
been looking for a reason to go to Seattle. “ Cheese makes
it in time.
Read more – on Powderhorn Neighbors Forum – Photo CC jojomelons via Flickr
88. “Community life” exchange builds
audience for inclusive civic discussions
“Little Mekong” branding for Asian business
promotion on University Ave
Triple homicide - Who can we trust to keep us safe
after a tragedy in East African grocery? Police? More
guns? Led to off-line discussions with local teens.
Vigil proposed, hundreds gather.
Also: Cats indoors or outdoors?, Airplane noise, etc.
89. You
Everyone welcome
Residents, local workers, business owners
People who “serve” the community
Local governments, non-profits, etc.
Outreach essential:
Diverse communities: http://e-democracy.org/inclusion
100 members for strong opening
1050 members on largest forum today, ~25% households
90. Volunteer-driven, Non-profit
(Pictures of some of our awesome volunteer Forum Managers and contractors )
Local scope key
“Public life” openness not “virtual
gated communities”
Government can access us
Unlike Facebook which is blocked by many organizations
Open source technology, sharing
We use GroupServer.org tech out of New Zealand
91. Post announcements and events – reach
hundreds for free
Monitor the community agenda, advocate and
organize locally
Answer questions, share info
Connect people to your programs
Encourage your members/clients/etc. to join us
92. Neighbors Forums promote:
Community building
Neighbors helping neighbors
Sharing/reusing things very locally
Engagement with government and
accountability
And much more
93. Civility matters
Real names build trust
No name calling
Post just 2 times a day (on most forums)
spreads participation, retains audience
Facilitated by local volunteer “Forum
Manager,” rules are enforced
Major contrast with often anonymous,
nasty online news comments
94. Online advantages
24 x 7 – Anytime, anywhere convenience
Engage people unable to attend meetings,
with limited mobility, two jobs, children
Less intimidating for some – open and
accessible “ice breaker” into public life
Local approach coupled with in-person
activities increases value and trust – Online
only would be a major disadvantage
95. Join your local Neighbors Forum today!
Every community needs a vibrant local online place
that makes your part of the world a better .
The lowest cost model for effectively building real
community and civic participation available today(?)
Start a forum. You can make this happen in your
neighborhood. If you don’t who will?
Contact us:
http://e-democracy.org/contact
team@e-democracy.org @edemo - Twitter
Tel/Text: +1-651-400-0880
96.
97. Yes, we reach people “where they are” via
many channels and technologies
Our “unified” integrated public forums
Facebook Page – Forum excerpts
Twitter – Topic headlines
“Blog” style Web Feed – Full-text
E-mail and web options – Most accessible, required to post
E-mail key to active “bridge building” and
mobile use – old-fashioned but EFFECTIVE
98. Stat tuned for more knowledge sharing
Inclusive Social Media Lessons, Evaluation
How to Start a Forum - Detailed
Forum Manager How-to Webinar
Follow our blog for updates:
http://blog.e-democracy.org
Key existing resources
http://e-democracy.org/if - Guidebook and more
http://e-democracy.org/webinars
99. Our neighborhood-level “Issues
Forum”:
24 forums across St. Paul and Minneapolis
▪ Many new forums - join our funded start-up campaign now
25 start-up forums in Christchurch, New Zealand
▪ Created for post-quake recovery by two volunteers
5 in the United Kingdom
▪ Where our “neighbourhood” level work started
11 “city-wide” online town hall “Issues Forums”
▪ Extensive details: http://e-democracy.org/if
▪ City-level forums provide place for city-wide issues and politics
▪ Includes five Greater Minnesota towns
100. Request one: Recipe
http://e-democracy.org 100 start-up members
http://tcneighbors.org 1 local volunteer “Forum
We technically set it up Manager” –You?
Paper sign-ups at
Outreach essential community events
E-mail outreach, e-letter
10+ forums in start-up signed by initial members
mode Friendly round of virtual
introductions with real
people using real names
Lessons/training from: to build trust
http://e-democracy.org/if
101. Strong “critical mass” launch is key to success
Need mix of local institutions – parks, officials,
places of worship, community groups AND everyday
residents
Forum Manager plays crucial role – needed to
“seed” forum with announcements until community
groups begin to do it themselves
~10% of households across forum area is a magic
threshold for “self-generative” community life
Forum facilitation prevents difficult topics from
turning into “flame wars” – one blow out can kill a
forum
102. Post via web
Login at http://e-democracy.org
Click on desired forum
New Topic :
▪ “post a new topic” - “Topics” tab
▪ Fill in text box, press “Start”
▪ Add files (PDF, Word, etc.)
Existing Topic:
▪ Login, read topics
▪ Text box at bottom
103. Connect your neighbors and neighborhood?
Make your community better? Improve civic
engagement?
Raise diverse voices? Share local information?
Do all this cost-effectively leveraging volunteers?
If yes, here is an introduction on Neighbors Issues
Forums from E-Democracy.org
104. Read via e-mail
or web
Daily e-digest
option - topics with
direct links
Text, files, photos,
YouTube videos
105. Post via e-mail
“place”@forums.e-democracy.org
e.g. mpls-phillips@forums.e-democracy.org
Post via web
Login at http://e-democracy.org
Visit desired forum and post
Post/attach files easily (Photos, PDF, Word, etc.)
106. Dozens of companies are getting into
the neighbor connecting business
Visit the local social media directory
Join the Locals Online community of
practice to join people from .org, .coms,
and many independent free spirits