Comments on: On facilitation http://davepress.net/2008/02/12/on-facilitation/ Using the internet to make government more interesting Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:06:57 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: The need for community managers | DavePress http://davepress.net/2008/02/12/on-facilitation/comment-page-1/#comment-1241 The need for community managers | DavePress Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:23:37 +0000 http://davepress.net/2008/02/12/on-facilitation/#comment-1241 [...] wrote a while ago about what techniques people can use to facilitate online communities. Here’s the gist so you [...] [...] wrote a while ago about what techniques people can use to facilitate online communities. Here’s the gist so you [...]

]]> By: Dave http://davepress.net/2008/02/12/on-facilitation/comment-page-1/#comment-280 Dave Fri, 15 Feb 2008 20:27:05 +0000 http://davepress.net/2008/02/12/on-facilitation/#comment-280 @emma - yeah, strategy is vital when planning communities, and indeed social media endeavours of any kind. If you just build it, they won't come, resources need to be set aside to ensure people are engaged - it ain't easy. @Matt - that's an important part of the facilitator's role, policing the community. But equally vital is the active promotion of more positive contributions. @emma – yeah, strategy is vital when planning communities, and indeed social media endeavours of any kind. If you just build it, they won’t come, resources need to be set aside to ensure people are engaged – it ain’t easy.

@Matt – that’s an important part of the facilitator’s role, policing the community. But equally vital is the active promotion of more positive contributions.

]]> By: Matt Rhodes http://davepress.net/2008/02/12/on-facilitation/comment-page-1/#comment-269 Matt Rhodes Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:31:15 +0000 http://davepress.net/2008/02/12/on-facilitation/#comment-269 I agree - good facilitation is absolutely critical to a successful online community. People need to understand what the rules are and see that these are enforced when others step out of line. This makes them feel that the community is safe - they know, understand and can see the barriers in action. They also need encouragement that their contributions are important, being read by somebody. This makes them feel that their own presence in the community is important. Facilitation isn't easy but it's critical to success. As Emma puts it - it helps develop conversation from white noise to fully researched and consulted projects. I agree – good facilitation is absolutely critical to a successful online community. People need to understand what the rules are and see that these are enforced when others step out of line. This makes them feel that the community is safe – they know, understand and can see the barriers in action. They also need encouragement that their contributions are important, being read by somebody. This makes them feel that their own presence in the community is important.

Facilitation isn’t easy but it’s critical to success. As Emma puts it – it helps develop conversation from white noise to fully researched and consulted projects.

]]> By: emma mulqueeny http://davepress.net/2008/02/12/on-facilitation/comment-page-1/#comment-268 emma mulqueeny Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:03:45 +0000 http://davepress.net/2008/02/12/on-facilitation/#comment-268 I think that where you are going with this is identifying a glaringly obvious need to develop a comms strategy for online communities. If people know HOW to communicate, WHERE to communicate and WHAT the rules are, they feel more comfortable with beginning, or joining in, a conversation. We are at risk of over-communicating (something I always do as my 'stream of consciousness' does not have an off button - nor an intelligence button). Online communities need direction, and a way to develop conversation from white noise to fully researched and consulted projects. Frankly, I am at a loss about where to start, but would be happy to pitch in if you were keen. I think that where you are going with this is identifying a glaringly obvious need to develop a comms strategy for online communities. If people know HOW to communicate, WHERE to communicate and WHAT the rules are, they feel more comfortable with beginning, or joining in, a conversation.
We are at risk of over-communicating (something I always do as my ’stream of consciousness’ does not have an off button – nor an intelligence button). Online communities need direction, and a way to develop conversation from white noise to fully researched and consulted projects. Frankly, I am at a loss about where to start, but would be happy to pitch in if you were keen.

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