2012 Association International Conference

Building and Nurturing Global Online Communities

May 1, 2012 2:45p.m.

Bonnie Koenig and Amy Sample Ward

#asaeintl

Who we are

Amy Sample WardMembership DirectorNTEN: Nonprofit Technology Network

Who are you?

Bonnie KoenigPresidentGoing International

Why an Online Community?

Engagement

Why an Online Community?

Asynchronous

Why an Online Community?

Offline

Your Organization

In order to be successful as an organization supporting a community, you must have:

– Culture to listen and follow

Your Organization

In order to be successful as an organization supporting a community, you must have:

– Culture to listen and follow– Staffing to support community engagement

Your Organization

In order to be successful as an organization supporting a community, you must have:

– Culture to listen and follow– Staffing to support community engagement– Permission to take action

Building the Community

Four core stages of launching an online community platform:

1.Catalyzing / Creating

Building the Community

Four core stages of launching an online community platform:

1.Catalyzing / Creating2.Launching

Building the Community

Four core stages of launching an online community platform:

1.Catalyzing / Creating2.Launching3.Enhancing and Expanding

Building the Community

Four core stages of launching an online community platform:

1.Catalyzing / Creating2.Launching3.Enhancing and Expanding4.Transforming and Transition

Building the Community

Throughout all 4 stages, you must incorporate:

• Feedback from all stakeholders (full circle)

Building the Community

Throughout all 4 stages, you must incorporate:

• Feedback from all stakeholders (full circle)• Adaptation (of your plan, tools, message)

Building the Community

Throughout all 4 stages, you must incorporate:

• Feedback from all stakeholders (full circle)• Adaptation (of your plan, tools, message)• Sustainability (for yourself and community)

Special aspects of online global

There are 3 main considerations for using an online platform with a global community:

• Different comfort levels with online interactions among members of association

Special aspects of online global

There are 3 main considerations for using an online platform with a global community:

• Different comfort levels with online interactions among members of association

• Different types of technical options / programs

Special aspects of online global

There are 3 main considerations for using an online platform with a global community:

• Different comfort levels with online interactions among members of association

• Different types of technical options / programs• Challenges in different parts of world (bandwith, etc...)

Special aspects of online global

To influence each element, you should:

• match functionality to the content members want to use/access

Special aspects of online global

To influence each element, you should:

• match functionality to the content members want to use/access

• match language needs to platforms that can support it

Special aspects of online global

To influence each element, you should:

• match functionality to the content members want to use/access

• match language needs to platforms that can support it• identify goals early on to help prioritize functionality

options, adoption metrics, etc.

Case Study: TechSoup Global

Case Study: NetSquared

Case Study: NTEN

Case Study: NTEN

Our Tips

To help your efforts be most successful, we suggest:

• Make it simple• Platform should be accessible (easy to use)• Moderators / empower people• Online-offline attention• Time• Partnerships

Discussion

In your association, are you:

• Currently supporting an online community?• What are your struggles?• What are your successes?• What are your questions!

Resources• http://amysampleward.org/2010/05/07/guest-post-on-online-community-report-sustainable-

community-building/

• http://amysampleward.org/2009/08/06/online-community-building-gardening-vs-landscaping/

• http://amysampleward.org/2011/05/18/crowdsourcing-vs-community-sourcing-whats-the-difference-and-the-opportunity/

• http://www.goinginternational.com/american-academy-of-pediatrics-helping-babies-breathe/

• http://globalscale.wikispaces.com

Books & Collections:We Are Media: http://wearemedia.org Social by Social: http://socialbysocial.com

Contact InformationBonnie KoenigPresidentGoing International(773) 233-5755bonnie@goinginternational.com http://www.goinginternational.com

Amy Sample WardMembership DirectorNTEN: Nonprofit Technology Network415-397-9000amy@nten.org or amy@amysampleward.org http://amysampleward.org