The world is a small place.
Since 2007, we've hosted a regional politics discussion forum covering
Christchurch, New Zealand. It is software from Christchurch that hosts
this neighborhood forum. When things break, people in Christchurch fix
it.
So, we've spent the last week working with our volunteers in NZ to set
up a 20+ neighborhood network of forums. See:
http://neighbours.cc
This one just opened: http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/cc-sumner
The real challenge we have now is spreading the message on the ground.
Turning the "egg" into a "chicken" where neighbor to neighbor
communication online assists community recovery, builds community and
make a practical difference in the lives of everyday people requires
us to convince people one at a time to sign-up (on paper in-person and
online).
So you are the key.
What we need are compelling stories about how this works in the real
world and could work for Christchurch.
If this forum has benefited you, an organization you work with, or if
you have something to say about its value, drop us a quick e-mail to:
<email obscured> OR http://e-democracy.org/contact
Subject: Forum Testimonial
Please mention your main neighborhood forum. If you want your comments
about a forum be anonymous (not attributed to you publicly), please
let us know.
Thank you for being a part of E-Democracy.org.
Steven Clift
E-Democracy.org
P.S. Virtual volunteers welcome: http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/chch-team
P.S.S. Here is a sample of just 24 hours of activity across our network from:
http://pages.e-democracy.org/Christchurch_Neighbours_Forums_FAQ
What will be discussed?
Local issues and announcements. Ultimately it is up to you.
You have to believe it see it.
Meaning, until initial members form a critical mass and take a leap of
faith that online engagement with your neighbours is a good and very
useful thing, we won't see it in action.
With over 20 existing Neighbours Forums across E-Democracy.org
building real community everyday, here are examples from a recent 24
hours of activity across the entire network:
* Discussions about:
o Lack of a pharmacy in a low income neighbourhood
o City responsivenes to fixing a pot-holed street
o Reuniting a found dog with its owner to keep it from going
to the pound
o Recommendations on a good auto mechanic
o Planning approval for local student housing
o Recycling and garbage incineration
o About how "local" charities canvassing for donations door
to door are
o Where to get great service for kitchen appliances
o Where to get violin lessons for their children
o Changes to liquor store spacing restrictions and schools -
started by a city councillor asking for input
o Why a local coffee shop went out of business with many
thanks for years of service
o Light rail construction
o Parking
o Ceiling plaster work recommendations
o Neighbors helping neighbors in tough economic times
* Announcements about:
o An awarded pedestrian safety grant
o A community theatre event
o Local food shelf donations
o Gathering photos of local business
o A video about the online response after the collapse of major
bridge
o A job creation policy conference at a local college
o A dog park fence contract opportunity seeking
neighbourhood contractor bids in a low income area
o Primary school fundraiser
o A video from a community event written in the second most
spoken language for the area
o Local news headlines from a community media website
o A new local photo of the day website
o An internship opportunity in a local arts organisation
o A community forum with the Mayor
Steven Clift - http://stevenclift.com
ย Executive Director - http://E-Democracy.Org
ย Follow me - http://twitter.com/democracy
ย New Tel: +1.612.234.7072
Since 2007, we've hosted a regional politics discussion forum covering
Christchurch, New Zealand. It is software from Christchurch that hosts
this neighborhood forum. When things break, people in Christchurch fix
it.
So, we've spent the last week working with our volunteers in NZ to set
up a 20+ neighborhood network of forums. See:
http://neighbours.cc
This one just opened: http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/cc-sumner
The real challenge we have now is spreading the message on the ground.
Turning the "egg" into a "chicken" where neighbor to neighbor
communication online assists community recovery, builds community and
make a practical difference in the lives of everyday people requires
us to convince people one at a time to sign-up (on paper in-person and
online).
So you are the key.
What we need are compelling stories about how this works in the real
world and could work for Christchurch.
If this forum has benefited you, an organization you work with, or if
you have something to say about its value, drop us a quick e-mail to:
<email obscured> OR http://e-democracy.org/contact
Subject: Forum Testimonial
Please mention your main neighborhood forum. If you want your comments
about a forum be anonymous (not attributed to you publicly), please
let us know.
Thank you for being a part of E-Democracy.org.
Steven Clift
E-Democracy.org
P.S. Virtual volunteers welcome: http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/chch-team
P.S.S. Here is a sample of just 24 hours of activity across our network from:
http://pages.e-democracy.org/Christchurch_Neighbours_Forums_FAQ
What will be discussed?
Local issues and announcements. Ultimately it is up to you.
You have to believe it see it.
Meaning, until initial members form a critical mass and take a leap of
faith that online engagement with your neighbours is a good and very
useful thing, we won't see it in action.
With over 20 existing Neighbours Forums across E-Democracy.org
building real community everyday, here are examples from a recent 24
hours of activity across the entire network:
* Discussions about:
o Lack of a pharmacy in a low income neighbourhood
o City responsivenes to fixing a pot-holed street
o Reuniting a found dog with its owner to keep it from going
to the pound
o Recommendations on a good auto mechanic
o Planning approval for local student housing
o Recycling and garbage incineration
o About how "local" charities canvassing for donations door
to door are
o Where to get great service for kitchen appliances
o Where to get violin lessons for their children
o Changes to liquor store spacing restrictions and schools -
started by a city councillor asking for input
o Why a local coffee shop went out of business with many
thanks for years of service
o Light rail construction
o Parking
o Ceiling plaster work recommendations
o Neighbors helping neighbors in tough economic times
* Announcements about:
o An awarded pedestrian safety grant
o A community theatre event
o Local food shelf donations
o Gathering photos of local business
o A video about the online response after the collapse of major
bridge
o A job creation policy conference at a local college
o A dog park fence contract opportunity seeking
neighbourhood contractor bids in a low income area
o Primary school fundraiser
o A video from a community event written in the second most
spoken language for the area
o Local news headlines from a community media website
o A new local photo of the day website
o An internship opportunity in a local arts organisation
o A community forum with the Mayor
Steven Clift - http://stevenclift.com
ย Executive Director - http://E-Democracy.Org
ย Follow me - http://twitter.com/democracy
ย New Tel: +1.612.234.7072
