Building Community with Technology National Conference on Community Volunteering and National Service June 9, 2002 Building Community Technology Partners, Inc. Randal Pinkett, Ph.D.

Building Community Technology Partners, Inc. Helping non-profits use technology to build community, support community change strategies, and improve their organizational effectiveness.

Agenda I.Introduction II.Principles of Building Community with Technology III.Conclusion

Agenda I.Introduction II.Principles of Building Community with Technology III.Conclusion

Introduction n Is technology a component of your volunteer/service activities? n Does your organization have a technology plan and strategy? n Does it address both: –Internal efficiencies? –External effectiveness? n Are you aware of organizations in your area with a strong technology capacity?

Agenda I.Introduction II.Principles of Building Community with Technology III.Conclusion

Building Community with Technology Principle #3 Demonstrate Relevance Clearly Principle #6 Emphasize Outcomes Instead of Access Principle #7 Integrate Online with Offline Principle #4 Spread Technology Costs Principle #5 Strategically Build Community Online

Building Community with Technology Principle #3 Demonstrate Relevance Clearly Principle #6 Emphasize Outcomes Instead of Access Principle #7 Integrate Online with Offline Establish an “audience” Establish an “audience” Capture the late majority Capture the late majority Highlight benefits clearly Highlight benefits clearly Principle #4 Spread Technology Costs Principle #5 Strategically Build Community Online

Background n Camfield Estates, Roxbury, MA n 102 units, approximately 300 residents n Predominantly African-American (75%) –32% Hispanic / 68% Non-Hispanic n Camfield Tenants Association (CTA) n Participant in US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) “Demo-Dispo” Program

Overview n Camfield Estates-MIT Creating Community Connections Project A model as to how individuals, families, and a community can use technology to support their interests and needs

Context n Camfield Estates-MIT Creating Community Connections Project INFRASTRUCTURE: - State-of-the-art computers & software - State-of-the-art computers & software - High-speed Internet - High-speed Internet - Comprehensive training - Comprehensive training - Neighborhood technology center - Neighborhood technology center - Web-based community building system - Web-based community building system

INTRODUCTORY COURSES SPECIFIC ASSET-MAPPING PRE-ASSESSMENT & AWARENESS SPECIALIZED COURSES GENERAL ASSET-MAPPING ASSET MOBILIZATION COMMUNITY TECHNOLOG Y COMMUNITY BUILDING POST-ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION Project Methodology

INTRODUCTORY COURSES SPECIFIC ASSET-MAPPING PRE-ASSESSMENT & AWARENESS SPECIALIZED COURSES GENERAL ASSET-MAPPING ASSET MOBILIZATION COMMUNITY TECHNOLOG Y COMMUNITY BUILDING POST-ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION June 2000 Project Methodology Surveys, Interviews & Marketing

INTRODUCTORY COURSES SPECIFIC ASSET-MAPPING PRE-ASSESSMENT & AWARENESS SPECIALIZED COURSES Activity-Based & Theme-Based GENERAL ASSET-MAPPING ASSET MOBILIZATION COMMUNITY TECHNOLOG Y COMMUNITY BUILDING POST-ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION September 2000 Project Methodology

INTRODUCTORY COURSES SPECIFIC ASSET-MAPPING PRE-ASSESSMENT & AWARENESS SPECIALIZED COURSES GENERAL ASSET-MAPPING ASSET MOBILIZATION COMMUNITY TECHNOLOG Y COMMUNITY BUILDING POST-ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION January 2001 Project Methodology

Participation September 2000 January 2001 Round I: ?? of 66 families

Participation September 2000 Round I: 33 of 66 families (50%)

Participation September 2000 January 2001 Round I: 33 of 66 families (50%) Round II: ?? of 80 families

Participation September 2000 January 2001 Round I: 33 of 66 families (50%) Round II: 41 of 80 families (51%) 8 families

Participation September 2000 January 2001 Round I: 33 of 66 families (50%) Round II: 41 of 80 families (51%) 8 families Non-Participation Health-related condition Too many responsibilities Lack of relevance

Participation September 2000 January 2001 Round I: 33 of 66 families (50%) Round II: 60 of 80 families (75%) Non-Participation Lack of relevance Too many responsibilities Health-related condition 27 families

Building Community with Technology Principle #3 Demonstrate Relevance Clearly Principle #6 Emphasize Outcomes Instead of Access Principle #7 Integrate Online with Offline Principle #4 Spread Technology Costs Principle #5 Strategically Build Community Online Open source technologies Open source technologies Application service providers Application service providers Content management systems Content management systems

INTRODUCTORY COURSES SPECIFIC ASSET-MAPPING PRE-ASSESSMENT & AWARENESS SPECIALIZED COURSES Creating Community Connections (C3) System GENERAL ASSET-MAPPING ASSET MOBILIZATION COMMUNITY TECHNOLOG Y COMMUNITY BUILDING POST-ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION January 2001 Project Methodology

Creating Community Connections (C3) System INTRANET Resident Profiles Web-Based Calendar of Events Discussion Forums Lists Chat Rooms File Storage EXTRANET News and Announcements Organization and Business Database Geographic Information System (GIS) Maps Personalized Web Portals Surveys and Polls Job and Volunteer Postings Site-Wide Search

Building Community with Technology Principle #3 Demonstrate Relevance Clearly Principle #6 Emphasize Outcomes Instead of Access Principle #7 Integrate Online with Offline Principle #4 Spread Technology Costs Principle #5 Strategically Build Community Online Involve community members Involve community members Start small Start small Scale infrastructure Scale infrastructure

INTRODUCTORY COURSES SPECIFIC ASSET-MAPPING PRE-ASSESSMENT & AWARENESS SPECIALIZED COURSES GENERAL ASSET-MAPPING Broad Community Boundaries ASSET MOBILIZATION COMMUNITY TECHNOLOG Y COMMUNITY BUILDING POST-ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION June 2000 Project Methodology

INTRODUCTORY COURSES SPECIFIC ASSET-MAPPING PRE-ASSESSMENT & AWARENESS Individual Skills & Abilities SPECIALIZED COURSES GENERAL ASSET-MAPPING ASSET MOBILIZATION COMMUNITY TECHNOLOG Y COMMUNITY BUILDING POST-ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION Project Methodology November 2000

Camfield Catchment Area

Building Community with Technology Principle #3 Demonstrate Relevance Clearly Principle #6 Emphasize Outcomes Instead of Access Principle #7 Integrate Online with Offline Principle #4 Spread Technology Costs Principle #5 Strategically Build Community Online Determine outcomes Determine outcomes Make it personal Make it personal Use technology as a tool Use technology as a tool

Mini-Case Study Diane Atkins, Senior & Longtime Resident “From Staunchest Opponent to Greatest Proponent”

Diane Atkins Reluctance to Resonance “When we moved back I heard we were going to get computers. I didn’t care why. And I told CTA and MHFA that I didn’t want one. I almost figured it as an intrusion because I am always sick. I was really disgusted with it all.” – Diane Atkins

Diane Atkins Reluctance to Resonance “I got my first session and I was amazed! I couldn’t believe it! It was so fascinating! I get my second session and I’m getting , which was totally blowing my mind. And I’m saying, ‘Oh my God, this is incredible.’ ” – Diane Atkins

Diane Atkins Reluctance to Resonance “So now I type it in. It looked OK. And I sent it. I had the nerve. It’s like I was covering my eyes. I was so afraid someone would say, ‘What’s this jerk?’ And someone replied, ‘Thanks Edna.’ I was so happy I didn’t know what to do! I got up and did a dance like those football players! When you are sick there is not much to celebrate.” – Diane Atkins

Diane Atkins Reluctance to Resonance “And also what I found is I’m not as stupid as I thought I was. I could learn it. I did learn it.” “I knew nothing. I don’t feel illiterate anymore, which I did. Embarrassed. All of those things. But I used to hide behind it and just say, "Oh, I don’t want to be bothered. But you need it. You do.” – Diane Atkins

Diane Atkins Reluctance to Resonance “I would have never wanted a computer. I didn’t see anything in it. Now I wouldn’t know what to do without it. I believe I am better physically and mentally because of the computer. [It] is better than all of my medication combined.” – Diane Atkins

Building Community with Technology Principle #3 Demonstrate Relevance Clearly Principle #6 Emphasize Outcomes Instead of Access Principle #7 Integrate Online with Offline Principle #4 Spread Technology Costs Principle #5 Strategically Build Community Online Online enhances, but does not replace face-to-face Leverage the benefits of both

INTRODUCTORY COURSES SPECIFIC ASSET-MAPPING PRE-ASSESSMENT & AWARENESS SPECIALIZED COURSES GENERAL ASSET-MAPPING ASSET MOBILIZATION COMMUNITY TECHNOLOG Y COMMUNITY BUILDING POST-ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION Project Methodology January Present

Asset-Mobilization n Youth (and Seniors) –Black History Month Presentations –Bake Sale Flyers n Community –Camfield Newsletter –Residents List Messages –Calendar of Events Postings n Safety/Security –"Security Tips and/or Issues” Discussion Forum Updates n Employment –"Jobs" Discussion Forum Submissions –Local Business Signs/Notices –CISCO Academy

Agenda I.Introduction II.Principles of Building Community with Technology III.Conclusion

Conclusion n Support capacity building to an even greater extent than technology n Encourage and foster relationships between CBOs, CTCs and TA providers n Integrate technology with community building holistically

INTRODUCTORY COURSES SPECIFIC ASSET-MAPPING PRE-ASSESSMENT & AWARENESS SPECIALIZED COURSES GENERAL ASSET-MAPPING ASSET MOBILIZATION COMMUNITY TECHNOLOG Y COMMUNITY BUILDING POST-ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION August 2001 Project Methodology

Building Community with Technology Building Community Technology Partners, Inc. Randal Pinkett, Ph.D.

INTRODUCTORY COURSES SPECIFIC ASSET-MAPPING PRE-ASSESSMENT & AWARENESS Surveys, Interviews & Marketing Individual Skills & Abilities SPECIALIZED COURSES Activity-Based & Theme-Based Creating Community Connections (C3) System GENERAL ASSET-MAPPING Broad Community Boundaries ASSET MOBILIZATION COMMUNITY TECHNOLOG Y COMMUNITY BUILDING POST-ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION June 2000 September 2000 June 2000 January 2001 August 2001 Project Methodology November 2000

Camfield Estates-MIT Creating Community Connections Project VIDEO CLIP