The staff at FPF was touched to rediscover this 2006 Seven Days article titled “Front Porch Forum Encourages Neighborliness — Online and Off.” It’s heartening to see how far Front Porch Forum has come over 14 years.
The article explains how FPF got started. At the time it was written, co-founder Michael Wood-Lewis compiled e-newsletters alone.
“Though Wood-Lewis is currently working on FPF as a volunteer, he sees his time as an investment. He’s hoping that as the service expands, he’ll be able to find local businesses to sponsor it.”
Now the organization has a growing staff of 22. It’s been put to use in communities all over the state, and now serves parts of New York and Williamstown, Massachusetts. The look and feel of the Email Forum has been redesigned and members can now also read their Forum via mobile app and the website.
Check out the full piece for an awesome throwback (complete with a MySpace reference!)
Technology and the way people use it has the power to unite people or pull them apart. Ethan Zuckerman and Chand Rajendra-Nicolucci of Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University took a closer look at platforms that bring communities together on a local level, only to find that some designs work better than others.
Platforms that operate more like social media, where individuals can post whatever they want instantaneously, can lead to heated, attacking commentary, false accusations, or misinformation. This kind of content may cause civil discourse to devolve and it may disrupt the establishment of ties within a community.
On the other hand, Front Porch Forum is an example of a local platform that has systems in place to help keep conversations civil and community-minded, fulfilling its mission of helping neighbors build community. From Rajendra-Nicolucci and Zuckerman’s piece:
“That organic growth was key to maintaining one of the key differences between FPF and Nextdoor: proactive moderation. FPF uses a team of moderators that review each post to make sure it adheres to the site’s code of conduct (which bars personal attacks and behavior “counter to its community-building mission”) before it’s posted. That helps to keep the discussion friendly and constructive… We believe a platform that takes governance seriously, is designed for a specific purpose, and has ties to the communities it serves can be successful anywhere.”
The authors also share the criteria by which they evaluate various platforms. These platforms operate on a local level broken into neighborhoods, towns, or city blocks.
“Getting local social media right is important. Local platforms present an opportunity to strengthen social capital and civic life. At their best, they can keep residents informed about local issues, encourage civic organizing and action, and facilitate new connections and greater understanding.”
Read the full article on Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University’s blog here.
Go to FrontPorchForum.com and experience the newly upgraded FPF website! Each Forum issue is easier to find, search and read. You can also browse and search postings from neighboring communities! And posting is simpler too.
Now you can read your daily Forum via email, website or mobile app… your choice. Customize your email and notification preferences by logging into your account at FrontPorchForum.com
Front Porch Forum is working everyday to fulfill the mission of helping neighbors connect. The Web Forum redesign is intended to make FPF even more accessible, highlighting member postings, local businesses and nonprofits, and events that allow neighbors to join in common interests. Other recent steps we’ve taken to improve our service include:
We continue to work to bring value to Front Porch Forum members, and look forward to announcing our next series of upgrades and new features ““ stay tuned!
By the way… did you see FPF mentioned in The New York Times and Forbes recently? Click here to see this and more.
It’s not too late! The Dairy Assistance Application and Agriculture and Working Lands Applications are now live. The deadline to apply for these funds, part of Vermont’s COVID-19 Agriculture Assistance Program (VCAAP), is Oct. 1, 2020. These grants are intended to stabilize agricultural businesses and organizations based on their lost revenues and expenses related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Learn more here.
If you have neighbors in your community who could benefit from this information, or other helpful info to share, post it on your neighborhood FPF!
Did you know FPF has a mobile app? Compose a posting, search the archive, and more… all in one place!
“Wow! Hyped about the app keep up the incredible work, team. Love Front Porch Forum, always find what I’m looking for using it ” • Zach in St. Albans, Vt.
“Downloaded the app instantly! I’m so happy there is an app now. Its aesthetically pleasing, easy to use, and elegant in it’s simplicity – great work to all of you who developed it and my sincere gratitude!” • Melissa in Rutland
“Get the App…best thing since sliced bread. I will now be able to keep up with it daily. Thank you FPF“ • Tammy in Morrisville, Vt.
“FPF has come of age! Love the ease of mobility when I want to check out other forums.” • Paul and Rosie in Burlington, Vt.
“Thank you! What a delight to use!” • Mary in Starksboro, Vt.
“Great idea about the FPF app! Just downloaded!” • Rebecca in Berlin, Vt.
“Took me about 30 seconds to upload and sign on. Looks like a great way to get this daily information.” • Marie in Shelburne, Vt.
Ready to get the mobile app? Find it in the Apple® and Google Play® app stores.
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