Community Building | Ghost of Midnight

Successfully Managing Online Community

Posted on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 by Michael • Comments are off for this post

Managing online communities is a tricky business. I’ve seen many stories in traditional media citing examples of people at each others’ throats online. I know some elementary school PTO email groups in our area have turned so nasty that they had to be shut down. Now today I read a blog post by Simmons Buntin on Next American City about how the challenges of managing an online discussion for a planned New Urbanist neighborhood… wow. So even in a place where people move ostensibly to enjoy the benefits of a heightened sense of community, online discussion still turns sour?

Well, this bodes well for the Front Porch Forum model… where this negative stuff is largely absent. We’ve worked hard to nurture civil and constructive discourse among clearly identified nearby neighbors in the 130 online neighborhood forums that we host across our pilot area (Chittenden County, VT).

In fact, today in my role as “community manager,” I had to inject myself into a thread and close it off for only the third time in a couple years and 30,000 postings. The pattern has been the same in each case… a topic about which people feel passionate (dogs, slate roofs and historic preservation, and, recently, illegal drug activity) is introduced in an inflammatory way and people line up to take sides and start blasting each other.

We typically ask folks to keep it civil and constructive and, if they must attack, attack the idea and not people.

These steps and many others add up to only three “flame outs” in 30,000 postings… an amazing batting average so far.

St. Nicholas of Tomatoes?

Posted on Monday, July 7, 2008 by Michael • Comments are off for this post

Wonderful Front Porch Forum posting of the day from Christine in Burlington’s Old North End…

Some of us, including myself, have mentioned problems in our neighborhood this summer. I just wanted to mention a kind act that was done for me. A couple weeks ago I posted a question about worms in my garden soil and mentioned I was trying to grow tomatoes in my yard. A few days later I came home to find some beautiful tomato seedlings on my front steps!! I don’t know who left them for me, but I was so surprised and pleased to receive them! Thank you to whoever gave me the tomatoes! I will be sure to share the tomatoes from these plants and therefore you can know your act of kindness has given happiness to others too.

While on the topic of things we are thankful for, I just want to say how grateful I am for my neighbor Iris, who watches over my home whenever I am not there. She is a wonderful neighbor and has been such a help to me over the years. I always feel more secure knowing she will keep an eye on my place if I am not home.

Hometown Daily Covers Front Porch Forum

Posted on Friday, July 4, 2008 by Michael • Comments are off for this post

Thanks to Sally Pollak who wrote an excellent feature article about Front Porch Forum for the Burlington Free Press yesterday.

Photo credit: Alison Redlich, Free Press

FPF Milestone… 10,000 subscribers!

Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 by Michael • Comments are off for this post

Wow! An amazing 10,000 local subscribers to Front Porch Forum now… out of about 50,000 households in our pilot area of Chittenden County, VT… with 100s more joining every month. And most of those members came to us through word-of-mouth… neighbor telling neighbor.

Any resident of Chittenden County may register at http://frontporchforum.com, while others can go there to join our waiting list. Cheers!

Borrow a car on short notice… no problem

Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 by Michael • Comments are off for this post

Providing less than 24 hours advanced warning, Bonnie in Huntington posted the following the other day…

Hi Neighbors – My car died yesterday, and for the first time in years I’m without car. I must admit it’s liberating, but the only trouble is, that I need to get to work tomorrow, Saturday, June 28. I was wondering if anyone might have a car I would be able to borrow for the day? I leave at 8:30Am and return at 8:00Pm.

I figured this was too much to ask with too little lead time. So I was pleasantly surprised to read her follow-up posting today…

Hi Neighbors – I’d like to thank you all so much, for the overwhelming response to my request to borrow a car for the day.

Work went well, and I got to drive around in Jim H.’s bright yellow Chevy. I was a hit with every teenage boy in Burlington and Shelburne. The car is for sale, if you know anyone that might be interested.

The Huntington Front Porch Forum is a great way for our community to continue to be the very special place it is.

Thanks much, Bonnie

What do neighbors post about?

Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 by Michael • Comments are off for this post

People often ask… “what do the neighbors write about on Front Porch Forum?” Well, it’s challenging to boil it down to a simple list (although it would have to include missing cats and bikes). So here’s a batch of message headlines taken from the last week of postings on FPF’s 130 online neighborhood forums covering Chittenden County, VT…

City Launches New Website!
Another Neighbor Joins Forum
Curious about Private Investigation?
The Ramble July 26th!
Old Windows
Yard Sales June 21, Stolen Bikes
Seeking update on 144 North Union
Democrats Gathering June 21
Police presence
Please Return Plant
garage sale June 21-22
Abandoned Bike
Books on Tape
Traffic Concerns
Jonas Brothers tix wanted
Petra Cliffs day passes
Dogs on Leash in Gilbrook
Disturbing Incident Comment
Day Care Suggestion
Adaptive Sailing Open House June 22
Fisher Cat Question
Stolen Bike
Fresh Air Fund
NEW NORTH END YARD SALES JUNE 21
Seeking Roofer Recommendations
Cat Seeking Loving Home
Cat Seeking Home
Blow up balloons for July 4 parade and fireworks!
South End Farmer’s Market
landscaping/tree service recommended
Forum Publication Timing
SUMMER DAY CAMP
Questions for Bear Experts…
Sing Along June 30
Police and recent vandalism
Sing along
Vinyl Siding
looking for dog sitters
Wildlife Teams Forming
CARD GAMER SEEKING PLAYERS
Pick-Up Frisbee
Animal Shelter Fundraiser June 28
summer tennis update
reliable assistance available
Hot Days, Cool Books
Seeking Cat Sitter
Disappearing Plants
Regarding wreckless driving
Hinesburg Vermont Yankee meeting June 25
Nature Camp spaces available
Black Bear Expert
ride needed to Burlington
seeking tag-along bike
need a babysitter?
missing bike
ONE Farmers’ Market Opens June 24
Drop-In Music
Strange man
House Siding
Events at Your Library
Extra Car seats?
Treadmill for sale
Apartment or house-sitting needed for July-August
Seeking quilting lessons and doctor recommendation
Park at night
Traffic calming on town website
traffic safety: an addition to Bretts smart words
Entertainment Center for Sale
Local Meat for Sale
apartment needed
Help Garden at Boys and Girls Club
kids, police, eggs
Timely Traffic Forum!
Free couch near Young St
Looking for Temp Living Space
Seeking Lawn Mower Sharpening, Loaner
computer desk for sale
Australian Ballot
Champlain College Block Party Invitation
Real Estate Appraisal Questions
Seeking bike loans
Speed Enforcement and Traffic Calming Plan Update
Looking for exercise/spin bike
Burlington Permaculture Updates
Misdelivered package
Weekly Massage Special!
Seeking Diamond from Wedding Ring
Bike Rodeo and Round Up
Seeking Bricks
Race Data Collection Community Forum June 24
Missing Chicken?
Beach and fires
More theft in the ONE
free plants
Seeking Moving company recommendations
Looking for Swing set and Perennials
Seen: Blue and White Parakeet
Regarding Lawn Fertilization Concerns
Urgent: Temporary Home Needed for Cat!
City Website Feedback
Petra cliffs passes gone
Michael Franti/Spearhead ticket for sale
Condo for Rent
Valuable food information
looking for sod recommendations
local foods meeting – seeking farm land
Seeking kittens
Stray Cat – Yours?
Discussion of Budgets
Middle School Theatre Workshops July 21-25
Summer Photography Classes
Seeking Babysitter
City Liability for Storm Damage
Plant Thieves
Children
Seeking computer speakers
Massage School Needs People to Massage!
firewood for sale
bike theft
Free Storm Door
Interior Painter Needed June 29 or 30
moving company recommended
Town Meeting
Seeking tree service recommendations
Volunteers Needed for Senior Games June 28
Farm shares available
Refugee Resettlement Benefit June 29
277 East Allen Project
Traffic Calming Meeting TONIGHT
house for rent
Live Fire Training at UVM canceled
Push Mower Sharpening
Seeking Bike Loan
more on Siding
Summer Project Help Available
Dining Room Set for Sale
seeking Audiologist recommendations
Drug Concerns on Murray St
The Bagel is selling pizza
Five Sisters Teen Filmmaker Wins Top Prize
seeking Tree surgeon recommendation
Seeking Part-Time Administrative Assistant
Face Painter Wanted June 28
Rhubarb for concord grapes
Seeking to borrow water cooler June 28
Local Arts Festival September 7
Street Flooding Issue – Letter to Mayor
Bunk Beds for Sale
Need a house sitter?
Seeking Hiking Area Map
PC repair
McQueen hearing: Cronin report
Yard sale June 27-29
reel mower sharpening
Qigong
SPEED ENFORCEMENT
Two Dream horses for sale
Seeking Painters, Flooring, Movers Recommendations
Appraisal increase!
Carpentry Needed?
FPF History, success, and seeking furniture fix
FUN WITH GOOGLE MAPS
House for Rent in Hinesburg
stray cat
Farmer’s Market website
home cooking delivered
worms composting at South End Farmers Market
Catamount Health Expansions
Volunteers Needed for July 4 Run
seeking dolly loan, dryer offered
Yard Sale June 28-29
Bike theft advice
free dirt
Police Chief Reinstatement
Seeking House Cleaner, Mother’s helper recommendations
Green Lawn Mowing Available
seeking forwarding address…
Linnie’s Event, Murray Street Concerns
Tree Service Recommended
Seeking Tent, Recommending Movie
Seeking Raw Milk Source
Let’s brag about a local adult this time!
Childcare Opening
Teen Police Academy July 7-11
Nature Camps
seeking roofer recommendations, painting and grounds help
FARMERS MARKET WEDNESDAYS
Yard Sales June 28
Cancellation of fire training
Teen Seeking Summer Work
Ethan Allen Homestead offerings
Comcast expansion into Westford
volunteer opportunity June 28
Lake Monsters at Library June 27
July 4 celebration needs your help
Music Nights June 26-28
Library Programs
Neighborhood Garage Sale June 28
Australian Ballot and Town Meeting
Book Sale at Town Hall July 4
PLANT THIEVES
Seeking Rental
TV News Preference Survey
Babysitter, Pet-Sitter Available
New American Farmers Update
Hinesburg House for Rent, Shelburne Qigong
Tag Sale June 28
runaway dog?
Found Cat
FPF History, Restaurant Recommended
Exchange Students Seeking Housing
Garage Sale June 27-29
Found Trash barrel
Free Music and Movies at UVM Saturdays in July
Seeking Firewood Recommendations
joggers thank safe drivers
Melinda Moulton
Soccer Game
Speed Meetings
lumber delivery June 25
Restaurant Recommended More
Soccer Anyone?
North Ave. and 127 Slip Ramp Closure Meeting
seeking summer housing
red lily beetle
128/North Ave Ramp Mtg?
Updates on Siding; Benefits of FPF and Good Neighbors
volunteers needed june 30
Energy message from BED
Decriminalize Drugs
trash burning illegal inside or outside
seeking skin product
Little League Schedule; Lake Monsters Night June 28
Wedding Gown Available
Edwina Gateley Event July 11-12
House Sitter Available
RiverWalk Celebration June 27
tennis lessons
Free Film and Music Series in July
New Business: Big Help
slate, china cabinet offered
North St. 2 br. sublet
Seeking dogs for calendar
Seeking Lost Glasses
Seeking vehicle to buy
Seeking Stolen Bike
Car for Sale
4th of July celebration
Free Family Event on UVM campus
Film and Music Starting July 12
Seeking summer driving students
Neighbor Appreciation
Farmers’ Market list for June 27
Free Kids Toys
UVM grad getting acquainted
Host Families Needed
Half-off Tag Sale June 28
RT 127/North Ave intersection meeting
A Rave for Tommy’s Grill
Bug Repellent
Home Renovation – 47 Catherine
UVM film-music and seeking host families
UVM Summer Film and Music Series – FREE!
Avon Source
seeking host families
2nd Annual North Quarter 3rd of July Parade
Eager to commute
Cancellation of fire training comment
Seeking third housemate
New Farms for New Americans update
Seeking car tires, bike seat, roof coating
Seeking bathtub
House for sale – Open house June 29
Thai restaurant feedback
Massage Barter for help with Move
About Illegal Drugs
best seat in town july 3 fireworks
Obama Event
Winooski Online Survey
Robert and Gigi June 27
Seeking Housing for visiting authors
Communication Committee Meeting July 2
New Aikido Introductory Series
Looking for Apartment Cleaners
Register to vote
Free Film and Music Series
small tricycle in our yard
Documenting Ancient Roads in Milton July 2
Free Computer Storage Media
Thank You and Hunting for Accordion Players
Neighborhood living
Volunteer Needed for Huntington elder
variety of gadgets left on our doorknob
Seeking host families
Police Chief Hearing
Flynn Tour Opens South Burlington Gardens
Homeowners’ Assn. Dues Past Due
Seeking missing cat
Myrtle Street Avant Garden Update
Garage/Yard Sale June 28
Garage Sale June 28
AMBER ALERT – Please Help
Richmond 4th of July Needs You!
Neighbor Joins Forum
Summer Camps at Shelburne Art Center
Chief Back
Sing-Along and Town Meeting
Westford Recreation Summer Programs
Fireworks Safety Tips
PERSONAL ACTION AND GLOBAL CHANGE July 11-12
FLYNN TOUR OPENS SOUTH BURLINGTON GARDENS
Fourth of July Bike Parade
SEEKING LOST CAT – Bright St
Looking to get gravel hauled
Gubernatorial Campaign seeking Volunteers
Wanted: Woman who wanted Great Escape Ticket
UVM Engineering Students Demonstrate Hybrid Car
Gardener available
Huntington’s Disease Walk June 28
Garden Tour and Immigrant Farms
Seeking 2-bedroom apartment
Seeking feedback on possible Westford Park and Ride
Seeking Car for June 28
Apology – City Issues
Traffic Concerns on Laurel Hill
Ward One Commissioners Ask…
Free pool table
In response to drug dealers and courage
Drug addict stereotypes
Garden Tour
Seeking Chairperson for Road Committee
Bike the Lake for CF July 12-13
Trash and Recycling Schedule
CH17 PRODUCER TRAINING FREE
Seeking Missing Calico Cat
Drunken Noodle House
circus tickets for sale
camera for sale
Open House June 29
Neighborhood wildlife
Porch Sale/Give-Away June 29
Break-In on Pennington Dr
Looking for Tennis Partner
Avon Appreciation
Obama T-shirts available
FPF Tech Response
Any babysitters needed?
BIG HELP is HERE!
Fireworks… register to Vote
More Neighbors Join Forum
looking for roofers!
Another Neighbor/Babysitter Joins Forum
Roofer experience
seeking dog supplies
Seeking small tent to borrow
What happened to Huntington River last night?
Free Ice Cream Maker
Found Cat – Yours?
Seeking caregiver
BOOK SALE AT TOWN HALL JULY 4
Winooski Festival Appreciation
Flash Flood Follow Up
big yard sale July 5
looking to borrow a dolly
Pet Sitter Needed
Movies on the Green?
Tech Difficulties and Seeking Pet Sitter
Summer Host Families Needed!
Braun Juicer for Sale
Summer PRACTICAL HERBALISM class offering
Looking for sailboat rental
Need simple (?) chair repair – Help?

“This person is MAD!!!!”

Posted on Monday, June 23, 2008 by Michael • Comments are off for this post

People often ask how Front Porch Forum has grown so rapidly in such a short amount of time… it’s almost all word-of-mouth. Neighbor tells neighbor. Here’s a posting from a South Burlington neighborhood forum today that serves as a good example…

Re the notice about the appraisal increase… one of my neighbors did receive a notice like this. This person is MAD!!!! I am forwarding this to her, and encouraging her to join Front Porch Forum!

While we do see people come on board in reaction to a problem like this, it’s much more common for folks to join because they hear it’s a great way to connect with neighbors and plug into neighborhood news.

Is Front Porch Forum Nationwide?

Posted on Monday, June 23, 2008 by Michael • Comments are off for this post

Front Porch Forum subscribers frequently are surprised to learn that this free service was created right here in our corner of Vermont. It’s no secret… our start-up story has gotten decent local media coverage.

Here’s today’s example from a relatively long-time and active subscriber from Essex Junction…

First of all — will someone please tell me the “once upon a time” of Front Porch Forum. Since I’ve been a member, I’ve been singing its praises to family in Texas and most recently Oregon. But you know what!! I really don’t know where this started and I’m just now barely getting little hints and cues that this actually STARTED in VERMONT!!

Is this true?!! And if so, yet another reason for pride in this little state of ours.

Here I’ve been telling Texans and Oregonians — “Check out your own neighborhood. I’m assuming ‘Front Porch Forum’ is national, if not international.” Sooooo, if it hasn’t been done recently, I’d love to have someone fill in those of us who are in the dark. Or maybe post the “history” on the website under ABOUT US. Thanks in advance.

Second of all — I am indeed reaping the benefits of Front Porch Forum. I’ve established a weekly connection with a high school student who comes over and aids me with certain chores — recycle and trash out, groceries in, other lifting and tugging. He’s pleasant, dependable, willing, and courteous, and also a kindred theatre spirit by way of EHS drama program! He gets paid right away; and when he helped us with unloading and setting up our tag sale, he was able to earn more.

Knight Commission focused on Communities, Information and Democracy

Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2008 by Michael • 1 comment

I’m honored by a recent invitation to be one of a few people asked to address the initial meeting of the new Knight Commission on the Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy… June 24, 2008, at the new Newseum in Washington, DC… to be webcast live.

“The charge of the Commission is straightforward,” says Alberto Ibarg¼en, president and CEO of Knight Foundation. “Articulate the information needs of communities in this democracy; determine where we are today; and propose public policy that will encourage market solutions.”

I look forward to sharing some of what we’ve learned through Front Porch Forum with this august group. The full commission is listed here. And…

The Commission will be led by co-chairs Ted Olson, former Solicitor General of the United States, and Marissa Mayer, Vice President of Search Product and User Experience at Google. Peter Shane, a distinguished law professor at Ohio State University Law School, is the executive director.

The Knight Commission is funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and organized by the Aspen Institute.

Serendipity in the Neighborhood

Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2008 by Michael • Comments are off for this post

Occasionally, someone will post a request on his/her FPF neighborhood forum the same day as a neighbor offers a solution to that request… unbeknown to each other. So the next issue of their neighborhood forum is published with the problem followed by the solution… all neat and tidy. Gotta love it. Here’s today’s simple example on a neighborhood forum with about 400 participating households…

Hi there! We were wondering if anyone might have a twin box frame floating around that they no longer need. We would love to have it for use of our four year old’s new mattress. Thank you very much! Sarah

The item above was posted at 4:00 PM followed at 4:01 PM by…

On the green strip in front of [our home on] Catherine St.: twin size mattress, box spring, and wooden frame; come and get it before the rain comes!

Hope they connected! Rain should be here soon!

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