Network Sites

Introduction

We are a nation increasingly on the go. Our communications are more mobile, our food consumption, take-out. Our citizens connect globally through technology yet often feel disconnected from their neighbors. People sleep in one community and work in another. And our neighborhoods are paying the price.

Residents are less connected—to each other and to their local institutions. New neighbors don’t know what, where or how to get involved. And many say they lack the tools to frame common concerns, to talk about their differences—and to celebrate both.

Social Capital Inc. (SCI)® has been working for the past five years to strengthen the social fabric in local communities. Given the growing in interest in civic engagement and building bridges among diverse groups, SCI is seeking communities interested in replicating its successful Community Connector programs.

Based on SCI’s successful community building programs in Dorchester, Lynn and Woburn, we will partner with interested communities to replicate the following bundle of SCI Community Connector programs.

Civic eBlast

SCI distributes a weekly civic e-newsletter to over 2,220 residents of our 3 flagship communities.  This publication highlights community events, volunteer opportunities and other civic news; and also encourages usage of the community portal.  76% of subscribers responding to a survey indicated that they increased their civic participation as a result of SCI, and 77% have an increased feeling of belonging in their community.

Civic Welcome Wagon

Highlighted in a Boston Globe editorial (12/9/06) as a program being considered for replication by the Patrick Administration, SCI’s Civic Welcome Wagon has greeted over 1,000 new Woburn residents.  Through this program, volunteers personally deliver a community guide to new residents, welcoming them while providing them with valuable civic information.

Community Portal

SCI has developed a community portal website that includes a searchable database of services, a community calendar, and social networking features including blogs and community bulletin boards that allow residents and organizations to connect with one another.

Features include:

  • All community members can post content—a website not just for the people but of the people!
  • Searchable database of community services.
  • Blogging as a tool for citizens to express themselves and discuss issues. Blogs can also be used to provide an easy to update web presence for community organizations.
  • Community calendar that can be updated by local organizations and individuals.
  • “Feeds” from other local websites.
  • Photo and video sharing.
  • Polling of community members.
  • Community members can create personal profiles and connect with neighbors (similar to other social networking sites).
  • Easy-to-use interface and content moderation.
  • SCI will work with community to determine how to best manage content including how to handle inappropriate content.

More Than Just A Website

SCI is a nonprofit organization doing this to further our mission of connecting citizens to strengthen communities.  We seek to partner with communities interested in increasing civic engagement and social capital and working closely with them to achieve that goal. We anticipate visiting the community an average of once per week during the three month start-up phase.

Customization
based on community input on design and features.

Training and ongoing technical assistance
to local site leaders and community members.

Civic eBlast
SCI will work with community to adapt template for weekly civic email and train on how to use this email system as part of strategy to promote site usage.

Join the Network
Network Sites will be joining the network of SCI communities working to increase civic engagement and social capital. There will be virtual and in-person opportunities to share ideas and strategies directly related to the website as well as the broader process of community building.

What We Provide

  • Templates for community portal site, the weekly civic eBlast, and the print version of the community guide.
  • Management of the data collection process for the community guide and portal.
  • Initial production of the community portal site and community guide, with input from local partners.
  • Training and ongoing support for operation of community portal and weekly eBlast.
  • Web hosting for community portal.
  • Creation of system for identifying new residents and matching them with volunteer greeters.
  • Training and support for ongoing operation of Civic Welcome Wagon.

Local Lead Partner Provides

  • Approximately $8500 plus printing costs in Year 1 (actual costs calculated based on population).
  • Recruits and supports local volunteers, hosts quarterly newcomer events, and communicates with SCI.
  • Local program coordination, average of 20 hours/month of staff and/or volunteer time (we anticipate much of the work can be done by volunteers but will require a staff contact to coordinate). More time will be required in the first 2-3 months of start-up, which could be achieved through a short-term Community Connector committee.  Tasks involve updating website, publishing weekly eBlast and coordinating volunteers.
  • Volunteer greeters—approximately 10 volunteers at 1 to 2 hours per month needed for community of 40,000.

Background on SCI

Over the past five years, SCI has established itself as a leading organization in the field of civic engagement and currently operates flagship programs in Dorchester, Lynn and Woburn.  During the past year, SCI engaged over 7,800 individuals in civic activities, and reached a total of over 22,000 through our programming.  Our work has been featured in The Boston Globe, Commonwealth Magazine, the National Civic Review and hundreds of local news stories.  We have presented on social capital and civic engagement at conferences from Boston to Singapore.  Our SCI Dorchester and Woburn Youth Council programs have both received national recognition as Daily Points of Light.  SCI is a founding member of the Commonwealth Civic Roundtable.