Category Archives: Knight Foundation
Best bang for Vermont business advertising buck?
Mary Meeker’s annual state-of-the-Internet presentation summed up neatly the difference between where people spend their time and attention versus where businesses spend their advertising budgets. See the chart below based on research from Kleiner Perkins.
Front Porch Forum advertisers are a happy lot who tend to be pleasantly surprised by the results they get via FPF’s internet and mobile advertising compared to their older strategies. Learn more about FPF advertising here.
“Amazed by FPF members and their willingness to help… “
“I continue to be amazed by FPF members and their willingness to help. It really is the modern day equivalent to the group at the country store. I asked for information on moving boxes. I was deluged with offers and ideas. Thanks, all of you.”
• Brian, Waterbury Front Porch Forum
#THISisJournalism highlights Front Porch Forum
Andrew DeVigal & Mike Fancher report today…
It was a presentation months in the making.
Titled “T
HIS is Journalism,” the presentation carried enormous expectations as the ending plenary to our conference that asked that very question: What is Journalism? Luckily, we had help from many whose tweets illuminated emerging forms of journalism in unexpected places.
Earlier this year, the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication‘s (SOJC) Agora Journalism Center launched the #THISisJournalism social media campaign and website. #THISisJournalism is a collection of transformative projects that challenges our definition of journalism while also serving the functions of journalism to enhance public knowledge and enrich civic life…
They go on to share summaries of a many new online services that contribute to journalism today, including Front Porch Forum.
Calais Community Root Cellar
“As you may remember from previous Front Porch Forum posts, the Calais Vermontivate team won first place in the community division. This means we earned $1,000 toward our mission of building a community root cellar. We will soon be working on the design for a root cellar in the basement of the Maple Corner Community Center. We don’t know yet how big it will be, but, it would help to know — who will want space here to store your roots? Send me an email to let me know if you want to participate.”
• Ginny, Calais FPF
Squabbling college town… can it become positive model for students?
“I read our FPF updates with enthusiasm and at times curiosity. I live on Main Street in the heart of the beaten path to and from off-campus student activities. I have lost flags, and other decorations to midnight five-finger-discount perpetrators. Yet, I refuse to brand ALL students as impish, hooligans, and ne’er do wells.
“Our college has myriad examples of kind, considerate and cooperative students: Mentor Programs, Meals on Wheels, etc. I am also a faculty member… Our students are reaching out regularly to become more involved with OUR community as we incorporate more Civic Engagement into our curriculum.
“You can’t expect to solve a problem with a school without taking into account the problems in the community. There is substantial divisiveness, tension, and squabble among and between us. There is a history of bullying and strong-arm behavior in our politics. If you believe that students don’t see it, then GOD BLESS YOU!!!
“I would like to have the community welcome new students as they arrive for the first time to our town. I have spoken to several folks about making this idea happen. We have a BEAUTIFUL town and caring people in it. Why not model the behavior we would like them to embrace as a standard?”
• Robert, shared recently with neighbors on his local Front Porch Forum
100,000 Front Porch Forum members in Vermont!
We’re excited to announce that Front Porch Forum now has 100,000 members across Vermont. More than one-third of the households in the state participate in their local FPFs. Thanks to all who have helped achieve this milestone.
To share FPF with other Vermonters, please send them to FrontPorchForum.com to check it out and sign up.
FPF’s mission is to help neighbors connect and build community. We do that by hosting a statewide network of online neighborhood forums where Vermonters post about lost pets, borrowing ladders, recommending plumbers, sighting moose, reporting break-ins, discussing school budgets, and much more.
Reckless drivers endangering lives… Vermont discussions heating up
The following Front Porch Forum posting sparked a lively local discussion about texting while driving…
“The past few days while entering and leaving Cambridge Elementary School I have witnessed several drivers texting while leaving the school. We all know it is against the law, but more importantly, there are children who are walking and biking to school and “you” are putting their lives at risk. The text you are responding to is not more important than their lives. Pick up and drop off times at CES is a very busy time and drivers need (and have the duty) to be alert. School officials can only do so much, we are all responsible for the safety of every CES child!”
• Sean, Cambridge FPF
Another Vermonter in Plainfield took a more direct tack…
“Speeding on Laird Pond Rd- Please Stop or I Will Throw Rocks at You… A red truck with a cap came barreling down Laird Pond Rd this afternoon right around bus drop off time 3:30 and sped by my son and honked loudly. He was off to the side, he was not in the way. He is a student walking home from school. Lots of children walk this road every day. Speeding on this road at this time, or any time is unacceptable. I’m serious about the rocks.”
• Erin, Marshfield Plainfield FPF
Given recent tragedies on Vermont roads, these conversations are as important as ever. Local FPFs are a good place to raise these concerns and gauge neighbors’ feelings as well.
Foster child overwhelmed by neighbors’ care
“Many, many thanks for the fabulous response many of you gave to our foster child’s search for a bike. K is overwhelmed by his sense that so many people out there care and we are excited that he’ll have a bike to ride this spring (it is spring, right? As an Englishwoman, the seasons have me a little confused!!) We feel fortunate to live among you all – and thanks also to Front Porch Forum for allowing this kind of communication and community-building to take place.”
• Zoe, Underhill FPF
Above and below are a handful of the postings we get every day on Front Porch Forum. What will you post to your neighbors?
“I’ve enjoyed your comments on Front Porch Forum. They remind me of how messy and important free speech and citizen journalism are to a functioning democracy.”
• Bill, Hinesburg FPF
“Golden Retriever Found! I knew I could count on FPF. Thank you everyone for the phone calls and assistance. Lulu is home and although she looks pretty guilty, she had an eventful day! Thank you!!”
• Alison, Bristol FPF
“Hi – I’m looking for someone to roll my yard to help smooth out the bumps. I can contact lawn services in town, but FPF seems to be a better place to start. If you’ve hired someone to do this for you, and were happy with the work, i’d really appreciate the recommendation. Thank you!”
• Mary, Montpelier FPF
“My pet sitting business is a success! ‘Found you on FPF’ is the first thing I hear when a new client comes my way.”
• Deb, Middlebury FPF
Great response to post on yard clean-up… Many people responded and I’ve got someone to help. Thanks FPF! What a great way to connect!”
• Anne, Bristol FPF
“Just wanted to let you know that Andy and I secured housing in Essex this afternoon! Yippeee!! Thank you again for your help! The owners found out about us through your FPF posting – we probably never would have found an opportunity like this otherwise.”
• Karen, Essex Center FPF
Need local survey respondents?
A Burlington business reached out to the community with a survey this month and got more than 500 responses. They used social media, their own popular e-newsletter and Front Porch Forum to get the word out. Here’s where they got their respondents:
45% Front Porch Forum
40% Company’s e-newsletter
8% Facebook
7% Twitter
Free fishing rods and meeting a neighbor
“I love Front Porch Forum — our pair of free fishing rods were picked up this morning by a neighbor, who I hadn’t previously met, while she was out on her walk. Her two little boys couldn’t be happier.” Posted by Linda on the Appletree Point FPF in Burlington yesterday.
People get great direct results when they post on their local FPF, such as when they unload an item they no longer need. But it’s the connection to neighbors — see Linda’s story above — that carries more weight over time.
Front Porch Forum’s mission is to help neighbors connect and build community… one lost pet, plumber recommendation, borrowed ladder, or pair of free fishing rods at a time!
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
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