May 7, 6 PM
#BTVMayor: How Social Media is Redefining Politics
Maglianero Cafe, 47 Maple Street
Front Porch Forum will be featured on the panel.

May 8
Vermont’s Digital Future Conference
Champlain College
FPF will be on the Connecting Communities panel.

May 15
VBSR 2012 Spring Conference – Creating Pathways for Vermont’s Next Business Generation
UVM Davis Center
FPF is proud to be a conference sponsor.

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Some local officials embrace the enhanced citizen interest that FPF can bring, while others resist or even reject it wholly.  We had a selectboard and town manager withdraw from their town’s FPF in southern Vermont recently because their constituents were using their FPF to raise uncomfortable questions.  They also decided to warn their public meetings at the last possible moment mandated by state law.  In a different community, the town manager is taking a beating via FPF on local budget issues, but he tells me he’d much rather hear from his critics and be able to address their points — which he does via FPF — than not.

We see a similar pattern with citizens.  Most see the value in more local discussion on the variety of topics that FPF engenders.  But others grow frustrated when they read viewpoints that run counter to theirs… and unfortunately a small number quit.  We see this from both the left and right of the political spectrum.  We encourage folks not to retreat into their respective echo chambers, but to stay engaged with their neighbors.  But it’s not simple or easy.

We’re eager to work with local public officials and citizens to help them get the most out of their FPF.  We celebrate where this seems to be working well.  We appreciate Jim, for example, for his FPF posting today…

Thanks to Front Porch Forum for making Hinesburg a more transparent town.

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And, it can bring more heat to the argument.  Generally, FPF staff are hands off and let clearly identified neighbors debate as they like on our site.  But we do step in when political points morph into personal attacks.  We hold the posting and ask the writer to help us keep things civil and consider attacking the topic and not the neighbor.  Often this does the trick, and the author thanks us for saving them the embarrassment of e-fisticuffs on the virtual town green.

But occasionally the anger that was directed at a neighbor swings full around to blast FPF staff.  One of my colleagues compared it to working as a bouncer, trying to break up two fighting bar patrons… when suddenly the customers start pounding on the bouncer.

This happened the other day in Jericho.  And, as usual, we stuck to our approach, stayed calm, and explained our approach.  It didn’t go well… several nasty remarks were tossed our way.  My colleague reported feeling anxious today then, when she spotted an incoming message from the troublemaker.  But lo and behold, here’s what he had to say…

I wanted to take a moment to apologize for the tone of my emails earlier this week. I admit I was over reactive at what I perceived to be an unjustified censorship of my contribution to our forum’s conversation. I do understand the need to keep conversations civil and attempt to make them constructive. I really appreciate all the work you guys do to provide this important service to our communities and I am sorry to have been such a pain in the ass.

Success!  What a champ to take the time to send his thoughtful note our way.  Thanks to him who shall not be named.

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Headed into Town Meeting Day, folks in one Vermont community have been asking selectboard candidates to speak up on their FPF and share their campaign platforms.  In response, one candidate posted…

I hope you’ll vote for me on March 6th for… Selectboard. You can find out more about me and my positions [on my website]. Because I believe that Front Porch Forum is better suited to finding lost cats than it is to political debate, I invite you to contact me with questions or concerns by email or by phone…

Now today we heard from yet another citizen replying…

Front Porch Forum is so much more than a place to post about our “lost cats”.  FPF is like your living room or a place at the dining room table where people can come and discuss whatever is on their minds. Yes, right now there are a lot of political things going on but that’s okay.  Whether you are for or against something, everyone is given a chance to speak.  Everyone’s opinion or points are important.  The forum is a recycling center, a lost and found, a place to advertise your website (including politicians) and a place where people can come together on all levels, help one another, and find solutions.  Thank you Front Porch Forum for being a part of our community.

While each place is different, they all get more value out of Front Porch Forum as more neighbors sign up.

Recruiting new FPF members on Town Meeting Day has proven a great way to boost your own FPF.  Handing out flyers, passing around a sign-up sheet, speaking from the floor about your FPF during the meeting itself… we’ve heard of lots of successful approaches.  In fact, Jeff just sent this note in today…

I would say FPF in Richmond has been a smashing success.  My Town Energy Committee will have a table set up on Town Meeting Day.  While FPF is a little off topic for our group, I see no reason why we can’t have flyers on our table…  FPF has been a wonderful addition to our town and to the state.

FPF is expanding beyond Burlington… we now serve one-third of Vermont.  More than 32,000 members participate in rural areas, suburbs, and cities.  Imagine this level of engagement in every part of Vermont and beyond!  Let us know if you’d like to help bring FPF to your town (just enter your address on our home page and complete the form).

Three cheers for the tens of thousands FPF members in Vermont… and here’s to vibrant neighborhoods in 2012!

A comment was made recently suggesting that Front Porch Forum be renamed the “Cambridge “roundabout” forum” because of the volume of responses the topic elicited.  I vehemently disagree!  I feel that this is EXACTLY why FPF was created.  Stimulating and fostering dialogue among LOCAL residents should be applauded!!!

FPF is an just a modern, electronic version of the conversations that used to take place in the feedstores, general stores, post offices, etc. that were the gathering places for inhabitants of the towns and villages of “old” Vermont.  To simply dismiss these important interactions, whether electronic or face-to-face, is missing a major part of what makes Vermont so unique and such a great place to live in!  Think of FPF as the conversations that take place before, during and after Town Meeting.  It provides those of us that are not fortunate enough to have jobs that allow us to attend Town Meeting and similar venues make our thoughts, ideas and concerns known.  How can this be a bad thing?

Let’s face it, the proposed roundabout will impact virtually all of us living in our town, now and well into the foreseeable future.  It’s probably the biggest point of discussion to hit here since the idea to re-establish a Cambridge High School several years back.  Why would we want to stifle it?  It’s a sign of a healthy, vibrant community!!!  What a great way for our governmental representatives to help to better understand what’s on our minds.

Leaving all of the decisions to our elected officials because they are “in the know” is a recipe for disaster!  Can you say “Iraq”?

So let’s continue to grow and contribute to FPF.  Consider it as an opportunity!

Thanks to e-Vermont for bringing FPF to Cambridge!

I wanted to extend a heartfelt thank you to my neighbors on Dion St who have cleared my driveway on several occasions this winter.  Your random act of kindness is so appreciated, thank you again and again!

It’s heartening to read about these kind actions and the gratitude of the recipients… especially as we head into Town Meeting Day, a time when debate among neighbors inevitably heats up.

Do neighbourhood websites have a positive social impact locally? For those who’ve suspected and long wanted convincing evidence, we think the wait is over.

The report of the Online neighbourhood networks study was launched yesterday during a lively conference in London…

Our study looked at three neighbourhood sites in London. The research shows that they serve to enhance the sense of belonging, democratic influence, neighbourliness and involvement in their area. Participants claim more positive attitudes towards public agencies where representatives of those agencies are engaging online.

We’ve produced a short (4-page) summary, an extended summary, a full report divided into digestible chunks, a selection of video interviews, together a number of other papers, and we will continue to add to these.

We see similar trends with Front Porch Forum in our pilot region.  That is, FPF members report… (1) better connection to neighbors and neighborhood, (2) a more prominent voice in local decision-making, (3) a friendlier environment, and (4) increased civic engagement.

Miscellaneous findings from the UK report…

95% – Feel more informed about neighborhood
92% – Neighbors are helpful if asked for advice
69% – Increased sense of belonging within neighborhood
92% – Useful information gets shared efficiently
82% – People pull together to improve neighborhood
63% – Main source of local news
44% – Neighbors more likely to lend items or exchange favors
42% – Met a neighbor
54% – More likely to see a neighbor you recognize due to website – Active member
14% – More likely to see a neighbor you recognize due to website – Passive member

This collection of materials is worth a close look!