Category Archives: How To Use FPF
Organizing a Repair Cafe
We love this idea undertaken by Front Porch Forum members. Doing something good for the environment and building social contacts!
“Do you need something fixed? Come to the first ever Repair Cafe. Start collecting your household items to be fixed at this FREE event. We have fixers willing to work on watches, bicycles, clothing, knitting projects, electric appliances, small office equipment, furniture, small engines, lamps, tools (including sharpening) and electrical gadgets. And we even have someone willing to tutor you with your smart phone!” • Cathy in Charlotte
“One of the “fixperts” reinforced my eyeglass frames. This may save me having to buy a whole new pair of frames (very expensive!). Thank you. What a wonderful event!” • Lucy in Plainfield
“I was fortunate to have a loose jacket zipper secured, a broken hoe handle extracted, a few pair of earrings brought back to life and iPhone issues resolved. I witnessed holes in sweaters and coats mended; a chainsaw, sewing machines and lamps fixed; and blades sharpened and that was just in the short hour I was there. What a great event to connect with community members while bringing back to life items that would have been needlessly discarded.” • Judy in Charlotte
Here’s how you can do the same in your neighborhood:
STEPS:
- Post to organize several neighbors to volunteer making repairs. Suggest the idea of a “Repair Cafe” and seek a place to hold the event.
- Post an announcement two weeks prior to the event to invite neighbors in need of repairs AND to encourage volunteer help.
- Post a reminder message three days before.
- Choose the “Event” category so that your posting also shows up in the FPF Community Calendar.
- Check the share box to include neighboring towns.
“Repair is possible, and often not that difficult, with a little bit of community support.” — The Repair Caf© Foundation
Boosting attendance at local events
Event organizers find using FPF for promotion increases attendance:
“The turnout was the best yet. We asked a lot of the attendees as they were leaving where they heard about the show and many said Front Porch Forum. Thanks for you support and sponsorship, it did really help us get the people through the door.” • John with Made in Vermont Marketplace
“2017’s Open Farm Week event saw increased reach through partnership marketing with the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing and Front Porch Forum, drawing visitors from Vermont and beyond to the many participating farms throughout the state.” • Reported in the Bennington Banner
Post your event on FPF or contact us to learn how to broaden your reach at localbiz@frontporchforum.com!
Great Local Key to Communication
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?
Picked up this morning after posted yesterday
Looking to sell or give-away household items…. or a car? Some success stories:
“Kitchen Aid Mixer & Toddler Bed Sold. Thanks for ALL the interest! Thank you to Front Porch Forum!” • Elizabeth in Danville
“FPF came out at 4:30 ish and by 6:00 I had 6 people contact me about the carpet!” • Gerry in Fayston
“The flooring is gone. Picked up this morning after posted yesterday. Way to go FPF.” • Noah in Montpelier
“Subaru sold! Thanks for ALL the inquires. Amazing the Power of FPF!!!” • Ginny in Stowe
“I’ve never received bogus calls or offers from anything posted here on FPF. Can’t say that for Craigslist!”
• John in Barre
Are you using Front Porch Forum to move some items?
Shout Outs to local business people
Front Porch Forum members regularly ask and receive recommendations.
“Through 
FPF I’ve met some wonderful people with services to give. I am grateful to have met Bev who cat sits for me, and Pete who does contracting work. Pete and Bev are honest and reliable, who I can trust in my home at any time. Thanks FPF for helping me to meet such wonderful folks.”
• Meg in Williston
“Thanks to Bennington Front Porch Forum, Allison came into my life. Allison came to our home for a mini photo session and the experience was one-in-a-million. We’re lucky to have an amazing photographer in our community!”
• Jessica in Bennington
“Looking for someone who can do just about anything, is a problem solver and is a lot of fun as well? Amanda helped with gardening projects, cleaning, cleaning gutters, installing heat cables on the roof and assisting with a party we held last October. If it can be done, she will do it.” • Sandra in Underhill
FPF as a discussion tool
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.
Revitalizing downtown Randolph
Residents in Randolph are making great use of Front Porch Forum to stir up ideas regarding their downtown! It all started with one post…. and numerous responses later, the community held a brainstorming session and created a survey to set some goals to stimulate business in their downtown.
“Lets see if we can get a list, through discussion, on what types of business people might like to see downtown. Lets list anything that we can dream up” • John in East Randolph
“I appreciate how much everyone has engaged in this discussion, you all have wonderful ideas and we should really think about getting together to have this discussion in person. It seems like the energy is there and that’s the most important ingredient.” • Trevor in Randolph
“Gratitude for all the thoughtful discussion going on. Front Porch Forum is alive–and so is Randolph!” • Josie in Randolph Center
We can’t wait to see what develops!
Downsizing with the help of neighbors
“Another use for Front Porch Forum: downsizing! I recently cleared out a shed by posting on FPF and giving the objects away for free. The lawn mower, rain barrel, etc were spoken for within minutes and people came to pick them up within a couple of days. It was so easy!” • Paige in Ferrisburgh
The items you no longer need could be just what your neighbor is looking for…. remember to post about items you’re looking to sell or donate on FPF!
Suggestions beyond your own neighborhood
Reasons to scroll to the bottom of your FPF newsletter!
“When the first snows came this year I was desperate to find someone to clean our driveway, after 25 years the company that had done it could no longer do it. I got no response from posting it on our Front Porch Forum so I started looking at other neighborhoods. Joe A. from the neighboring neighborhood had someone and was recommending them highly. Joe was so helpful he actually brought the man to our house… I couldn’t help but give Joe a big hug, I had never met Joe! The man Joe suggested turned out to be very good…don’t just read your own forum get to know your surrounding neighborhoods as well.” • Shohreh from South Burlington
Read the “News from Neighboring FPFs”
How to use FPF to help your neighbors
STEPS:
- Post to organize several neighbors to volunteer at your local soup kitchen or community meal.
- Post an announcement two weeks prior to the event to invite neighbors in need AND to encourage volunteer help.
- Post a reminder message three days before.
- Choose the “Event” category so that your posting also shows up in the FPF Community Calendar.
- Check the share box to include neighboring towns.
Front Porch Forum examples:
“Pies for People is back! We are seeking volunteers to help roll out pie crust for holiday pies for our neighbors. These pies go to the Food Pantry, free community dinners, schools and nursing homes. A home made pumpkin pie is something everyone should be able to experience for Thanksgiving! If you’d like to help, please sign up” • Allison in Craftsbury
“Every year, in Brattleboro, for 40 years, there has been a community dinner where people can gather for a free meal. This year continues a great tradition. There is an opening for someone (can be more than one) to play some music to contribute to the meal’s general environment.” • Breeze in Williamsville
“Nobody in town should go hungry, especially at the holidays. To make this happen we really need your help! We are collecting food to feed local families in need. Please help us by bringing in a grocery gift card or item listed. Your generosity is affording every local family the opportunity to have a warm and hearty Thanksgiving together.” • Marianna in Stowe
About Blog
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
Post Categories
- Uncategorized
- PDF2009
- Calendar
- Northeast Kingdom
- podcast
- Big Tech
- Peer Rental
- Events
- Localization
- PDF2007
- Web Traffic
- Google AdSense
- Pay It Forward
- Elections
- berkmansunlight
- Maps
- Video
- Upstate New York
- Coupons
- Wildlife
- Mobile
- Viral Marketing
- Raffle
- Crisis Response
- Donations
- Lost & Found
- Gratitude
- Best of FPF
- Real Estate
- College Students
- Social Responsibility
- Orton Family Foundation
- Start ups
- Make It Your Own Awards
- Online Civility
- Clay Shirky
- Newspapers
- How To Use FPF
- Humor
- Online Classified Ads
- Peer Reviews
- Politics
- Community Management
- Economic Development
- Local Reviews
- Case Foundation
- Borrow and Lend
- Neighborhood Watch
- Good Government
- Small Business Advertising
- Citizen Journalism
- e-Vermont
- Democracy
- Local Search
- Knight Foundation
- Burlington
- MacArthur Fellows
- Civic Engagement
- Social Media
- social capital
- Social Networking
- Vermont
- Neighborhood
- Community Building
- Local Online
- Front Porch Forum