Building Local Groups Online

Open Future Limited has experience building Street Lists in New Zealand.  People are unsure about engaging in new activity online.  Most people tend to avoid online social networks rather than embrace them.  When asked directly about an online social network for their street or their own block, people think that's a "good idea" but most of them are not prepared to actively engage in a way that makes it happen.  

On the other hand they are willing to be passive members and to "see how the group develops", which is all the help you need to get started.  Below is a process for starting your own Street Group.  There are many possible tools and methods, but we will suggest a fairly simple process that we know works.  We hope you choose to use the process we are developing, and to be connected with the Street Groups that Open Future Limited is supporting.  However, you are free to do whatever you like, and you are free to use whatever process you choose to establish your own independent groups.

Areas:
The first problem is to identify the area you intend to cover.  Our present thinking is that one group covering 200 houses is getting too big, and that 30 houses is getting too small.  For much of New Zealand the post codes of NZ Post, provide some established areas that people know, that seem to provide suitable administrative areas.  Each post code covers 2 or 3 suburbs as described by real estate agents.  That's another way to define an area.

Streets or Blocks?:
A street, particularly a main road is a significant social barrier.  A street group tries to cross that barrier.  A block group is better connected over the back fence.  People in a block group can't easily see each other.  However, from a geographic point of view, a block is easier to define.  Open Future Limited recommends Street Groups with the advantage that you have sight of all the houses included.  

Software:
Open Future Limited has successfully used Online Groups, to run street groups.  There are many software options.  We feel that open source alternatives should be the first consideration for community projects.  There are usually many local volunteers who will help you with the details.

Making a Start:
Try to find some like minded people to support your effort.  A small team will make the job so much easier.  There may already be some sort of organisation of local people operating in your area, perhaps for many years, but off-line. Consider an alliance with those groups.  They might need your help to be more effective online.

Test your Software Solution:
Make sure you know how your software works.  You'll need to explain to many people how to register as a member of the group, and how to leave the group if they choose to do so.  Make sure you understand the process yourself.  

Preliminary mail Drop:
Drop a leaflet at every home telling them what you plan to do and explaining that someone will call and explain the process to them.  Give enough detail, so that those who are keen and skilled can register themselves immediately.  You might find you have 2 or 3 unexpected allies right on your doorstep.  

Door knock EVERY Home:
Get face to face with people.  Don't worry about trying to SELL the benefits of joining the Street Group.  BE the person they would want to talk to, talk to them, be a friendly neighbour.  
         "What we need is to carry on this discussion online.  I can send you an invitation?  What email address should I send that too?  What name do you want to use."
Encourage the use of real names.  Nicknames are fine, but real names convey a sense of trust which neighbours appreciate.  

Do Some Practical things:
Make a request for tools for a project, or offer produce from your garden.  Organise an "Instant Picnic or BBQ" - How about a playdate for kids at the park?
         "It's a nice day, this afternoon at 4pm I'm taking my Gas BBQ over to the park. My family, our two children, Jennifer (10) and Brian (8), my wife Mary and myself.  We'll have a small cook-up.  Why don't you join us?  
This might not be entirely spontaneous, but if two families plan it and one or two other families arrive, it's a success.  Engage with the established residents.  For them online connection is new and perhaps suspect.  They already know a lot of people.  Do they want this change in their lives?  It's a real question for some.

Training:
In your door to door work you may have found people who need help to be more active online.  Offer to help them.  You might also need help yourself in training to be a coordinator.  Contact John S Veitch, at Street Groups (NZ) or join the Locals Online List at E-Democracy.com.

Online Chat:
It's really hard to beat being online with other people in real time.  Online Chat is an ideal way to help people who are reluctant starters.  Once you've engaged in a chat with 20 or more people you'll want to do it again.  Try to establish a regular Weekly Chat Time

ORS
The Chairman of Ecademy, Thomas Power, thinks the Internet is driven by three forces.  
Open
Random
Supportive
Understanding these forces will stop you worrying about things you have no control over.  

Open
What happens on the Internet is public, searchable, and perhaps always available.  You can't both hide and also be present.  People are choosing more and more to use real names rather than nicknames or nom-de-plumes.  They are choosing to communicate more openly because openness works.  People are entirely free to come and go.  Each of us is the result of past choices.  With a "click" we make choices about our futures.

Random
Because of openness and randomness, the conversation will go where it needs to go.  You DON'T have Control: You might try to guide it.  But control remains with the members.  Your group will be as good or as bad as the conversation that develops.  Randomness will in time bring an issue to your door, and then you'll discover what value the group has.  

Supportive
Group forming is very easy.  Building strong effective groups is very hard.  In the beginning at least most people will choose to remain silent.  You need 3 to 6 people who are willing to keep some small conversation going on, even one letter a week will do.  Try to achieve small practical things.  Try to demonstrate good leadership.  Good leaders are hard to find.  Online Groups are an excellent place to practise.  You won't always be right, learn to listen.

The Internet is social.  The ordinary social rules of the community apply.  Very seldom do people need to be told what those rules are, or when someone has abused them.  In our experience abuse is rare.  

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Open Future Limited is currently actively seeking partnerships that will provide Street Lists with funding and managerial backup.  If you have thoughts about that please contact John S Veitch.

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