e-democracy.org Neighborhood Forums Online Creating inclusive neighborhood forums – grant proposal update

e-democracy.org Agenda 1. Meet and Greet 2. Quick Overview –Digital Justice Grant, securing community partners – Kris Nelson 3. Small Groups – What is your vision of inclusive neighborhood forums online? 4. Report Back –Creating “our” vision 5. Outreach Interviews to Diverse Communities – Mahi Palanisami 6. Presentation –Learning from the best forums, what’s next – Steven Clift

e-democracy.org Quick Overview Digital Justice Grant Drafting in progress Gathering input Seeking commitments for community partners See:

e-democracy.org Small Group Questions 1. What words come to mind when you hear “neighborhood forum online”? 2. How might you or those you know use such a forum? 3. What would make a neighborhood forum attractive or useful to immigrants, low income residents, or communities of color? 4. What is your small groups vision for a successful and inclusive neighborhood forum? –To present

e-democracy.org Outreach Interviews Online survey ~45 responses Contact list developed, 40 people - emphasis on immigrant produced digital content and Internet access or training centers reaching low income –Invited to this meeting and … –Up to 10 in-person interviews on proposal/idea of neighborhood forums Interview highlights from diverse communities

e-democracy.org Learning from leading online neighborhood forums?

e-democracy.org What are neighborhood forums online? Based on geographic place where people live Source: Cleveland-Park, DC NHood Forum Source: Highland Park Community, Pittsburg

e-democracy.org How do they work? discussion lists mostly Some web forums newsletters are not forums, good starting point Most failed forums lack participation, is key for success

e-democracy.org Visualizing neighborhood forums City Hall “Secondary Networks” forwards NHood Org Personal Networks Local Media Coverage Librarian NHood Paper Arts Group City Councilor Neighbor #2 Local Biz Neighbor #1 City Staff Neighborhood Leader Renter Forum Manager Neighbor #200 Police NeighborsNeighbors NHood Forum GroupServer s posts web view Subscribe once Commitment secured Post via /web New Resident

e-democracy.org Examples Two major varieties –Neighborhood “life” - larger includes coffee shop bulletin board style announcements “who can recommend a good local plumber?” along with “my house was broken into last night” and local development/involvement discussions –Neighborhood organization agenda/politics “charter” restricted to more formal neighborhood planning and development issues –Our vision - Local “charters” can say what is in/out and blend models as desired

e-democracy.org Cleveland Park, DC Format: YahooGroups Members: Posts: ~20/day Recent topics (24 hours): –Coin sorting bank –Mover recommendations –Volunteer request –Tutors –New deli review –Local candidates –Road work update –Bus public safety incident –Mugging prevention –Curfew questions Notes: The largest and most active neighborhood forum in the world. Acts like a combination of Craigslist, Freecycle, and an E- Democracy style “Issues Forum”

e-democracy.org Highland Park, Pittsburg Format: Mailman List Members: Not sure Posts: ~100 posts/month Recent topics: –Stuff for sale –Cleaning help –Burglary update –Plumber –Car windows smashed –Jazz event –Found keys –Looking for daycare –Suicide prevention speaker Notes: Good charter, “Messages must be about Highland Park, including its residents, organizations, businesses, and the park; or of specific interest to its residents, including issues relating to surrounding/connected communities such as the redevelopment in East Liberty.” –Explains volunteer forum management process

e-democracy.org Dimond NHood, Oakland Format: Web Forum (PHPBB) Members: 107 registered Posts: Lower volume, can see “views” Recent topics: –Neighborhood events –NHood Meeting Agenda –NHood super clean-up –Earth Day photos –Local elementary schools Notes: Shows web forum format. They also host list. When registered can see what’s new to you.

e-democracy.org Lessons from others Extremely local aspects of Craigslist, Freecyle –Nhoods are more green-friendly, local economy boosting –Donation/pledge idea to local community groups

e-democracy.org Start One 1. You – A leader 2. Team – 2 – 5 people in the neighborhood to help promote 3. Charter – What’s in/out of scope 4. Technology – Set up on –“open source” GroupServer tool combines list and web forums

e-democracy.org Start One 5. Partners – Formal/Informal –Diverse community groups, neighborhood associations, etc. 6. Promotion - Online 7. Recruitment – In-person, 1 by 1 8. Outreach – Group by group 9. OPEN with 100+ founding members 10. Facilitate - Seed, feed and weed

e-democracy.org GroupServer – /web Easy to find –Next to Mpls Issues Forum, other Nhoods or web - your choice Technology enhancements –Share through open source –Proposal to add “Publicness” options

e-democracy.org Sample Forum Entering reply here

e-democracy.org Sample Forum – View

e-democracy.org Grant Drafting - Edit this page We are using a wiki to collaboratively edit our grant proposal – join us.

e-democracy.org What’s Next Secure community partner commitments Finalize “Digital Justice” ~30-40K grant proposal – Coming weeks Explore more grant opportunities Start forums now where volunteers step forward See: