Difference between revisions of "Starting a neighbors forum"
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* Your contact information, | * Your contact information, | ||
* The name of your city and neighborhood, with information on the estimated population of the geographical area you seek to cover, and | * The name of your city and neighborhood, with information on the estimated population of the geographical area you seek to cover, and | ||
| − | * Your plan to recruit your first 25 members/supporters. | + | * Your plan to recruit your first 25 members/supporters with a sense of your time line. |
2. Once you have submitted a simple spreadsheet ([https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AtkNsX36XQLDdFBLN01teU5ydlBqTXdxdF9MX3FUSXc&usp=sharing Google Doc sample]) with the names and email addresses of your first 25 members, we will technically set-up your forum and provide you access. | 2. Once you have submitted a simple spreadsheet ([https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AtkNsX36XQLDdFBLN01teU5ydlBqTXdxdF9MX3FUSXc&usp=sharing Google Doc sample]) with the names and email addresses of your first 25 members, we will technically set-up your forum and provide you access. | ||
Revision as of 15:09, 22 March 2013
Back to About Forums
Here is a simple guide to successfully launching an online community forum with E-Democracy.org.
Background
- A "neighbors" forum is the most local version of our Issues Forum model. It combines inclusive "community life" exchange with civic engagement on very local public issues.
- Forums do not launch themselves. "Build it they will come" simply doesn't work. We've found it takes 100 members to successfully launch an active forum.
- Our shared technology platform is the easy part. We set it up for you once you've recruited 25 supporters to help you recruit. This is a pilot space that officially "opens" when you've reached 100 members.
- If you volunteer to lead a forum, it is free to host a forum with us and gain access to our useful peer-to-peer support network. We do hope your participants will donate and we are experimenting with forum sponsorship.
- We do accept funding to help a community get going. A community foundation or major donor is welcome to step in to speed up outreach.
How To
1. Email contact@e-democracy.org to tell us you are interested in starting a forum, providing:
- Your contact information,
- The name of your city and neighborhood, with information on the estimated population of the geographical area you seek to cover, and
- Your plan to recruit your first 25 members/supporters with a sense of your time line.
2. Once you have submitted a simple spreadsheet (Google Doc sample) with the names and email addresses of your first 25 members, we will technically set-up your forum and provide you access.
3. Recruit 100 initial members - This is where you should focus your attention:
- In-person outreach works best. Adapt our paper sign-up sheets and email invites to your forum and circulate at community events, table at farmers market, etc. THIS WORKS.
- Adapt our other print materials including the promotional poster and hang where you can. Feel free to make your own flyers.
- Circulate your invitations via email, Facebook, etc. inviting others to join. This works better as you open and demonstrate critical mass.
4. Open with a friendly round of introductions (before opening to everyday postings) sets a positive tone.
5. See our Forum manager resources to help you run your forum. In particular note the detailed Forum manager position description.
E-Democracy.org has extensive older details on how to Start A Forum and a collection of Forum manager resources for self-help.
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