Are you headed to South by Southwest 2019 in Austin? Be sure to attend this session…
FrontPorchForum: Social Impact Thru Connecting Neighbors
March 13, 2019; 2-3 PM
JW Marriott, Salon D
Michael Wood-Lewis, Front Porch Forum
Tom Walsham, TWG
More than 75% of households in most Vermont towns use FrontPorchForum.com to communicate among neighbors and increase civic engagement. Operating since 2006, this locally owned social network has successfully helped neighbors connect and build community by rejecting the Silicon Valley addiction-and-surveillance business model. In this session, we will discuss the challenges of increasing impact while maintaining civility, implications of a sustainable neighbor model, and how the dynamics on FPF might inform better real-world dialogue.
Seating is limited to 500, so don’t be late!
Front Porch Forum is seeking a Business Manager to join our growing team.
Front Porch Forum is seeking an Intermediate or Senior-level Developer to join our team of 17 Vermont-based staff.
A recent article in New York Times…
Climate Change Insurance: Buy Land Somewhere Else
In case global warming makes their homes uninhabitable, some millennials have a Plan B: investing in places like the Catskills, Oregon and Vermont.
Buried among several examples of people who think the answer to large-scale catastrophe is striking out on their own is the following gem…
Bruce Riordan, program director for the Climate Readiness Institute at the University of California Berkeley, cautioned that it isn’t realistic to expect to live in a bubble. “Sure, you can grow your own vegetables, but what about wheat and grains?” he said. “And what happens when you need medical attention?”
Mastering surgery would certainly be a lot harder than learning to grow tomatoes.
A better strategy, Mr. Riordan suggested, would be to find a community that is intelligently preparing for whatever climate change may bring. He equated the situation to what California has done about earthquakes: They can’t be avoided, but we can build safer buildings, get better at predicting them and establish systems to care for vulnerable populations when they occur.
This jibes with Front Porch Forum‘s experience. When disaster strikes, the most resilient communities are those full of neighbors who know each other, know what’s going on, and who have a record of helping each other and accomplishing things together.
With election day around the corner, we’ve been witness to many great examples of FPF members offering to help get their neighbors to vote.
“I would love to help a couple of people who either don’t have a car or cannot drive, get to and from the polling booth next Tuesday. This would include pick-up at the person’s home, bringing them to the polling station, waiting for them to vote, and then driving them back home.” • Sonia in Williston
“If you or someone you know needs a ride to the polls November 6th – or needs a ride to Town Hall to get a ballot for early voting – please let me know. I am arranging to assist folks getting a ride.” • Jean in Reading
“When you read the postings in this forum about a hotly contested election for our local State Representative, all of them, no matter who the advocate is supporting, have been reasonable and respectful and I think it reflects well on the quality of the people who live here and the health of our community.” • Howard in Wells
All of us at Front Porch Forum encourage you to vote this election!
Invite your public officials not already involved on FPF to join the conversation!
Thoughtful discussion from Front Porch Forum members allows us to learn and connect with our neighbors.
“I have to admit, my favorite bits of FPF are the disagreements. I think arguments on FPF are really helpful. They bring to the surface issues that we don’t always talk about. Everyone gets a chance to gauge the opinions of their neighbors. It’s not hard to chime in. Every time there’s a chain of discussion posts–about panhandling, or dogs, or pedestrians and drivers, I learn something. For me, it’s good to know just how much I disagree, and why, and who I might occasionally agree with.
Consensus might be best, but disagreement is way better than silence. Thanks, to Front Porch Forum and everyone who takes the time to post their arguments.” • Glen, City Councilor in Montpelier
Neighbors and public officials appreciate having FPF!
“Front Porch Forum is a great conduit to communicate with neighbors and others in the local community. I appreciate Danby utilizing this forum for critical advisories, select board & planning commission transparent agendas & meeting minutes. In Danby approx. 48% of constituents are receiving information through this online venue, and recommend that FPF be elected as one avenue for posting Town official public notices, dates to comply, including dates & times of future foreclosure auctions etc.” • Don in Danby
“You must know by now how much I love and appreciate FPF. You are truly a transformative social media platform.”
• Jeff, Town Energy Coordinator, Richmond
Is your town utilizing Front Porch Forum?
Varying opinions on a topic or issue can be difficult when not approached in a civic manner. Front Porch Forum members weigh in:
“Should we be discussing controversial issues on FPF? If not here, where? One of the problems with our pop culture these days is that we are constantly talking to those we agree with. Our social media echo chambers are really hurting our democracy. FPF is fundamentally different from Facebook. It is a platform where I can talk to my neighbors and they can talk to me. Facebook seems to be a self selecting group which will frequently share ones own views. How can we find common ground if we do not talk to one another? I think the discussion on guns in FPF has been respectful, diverse and informative.” • Jeff in Richmond
Use Front Porch Forum to have civil discussions on tough topics and connect with your neighbors.
Ghost of Midnight is an online journal about fostering community within neighborhoods, with a special focus on Front Porch Forum (FPF). My wife, Valerie, and I founded FPF in 2006... read more