[COMM-ORG] query: Neighborhoods, E-Block Clubs

[Discussion list for COMM-ORG]

[ed:  please feel welcomed to copy COMM-ORG with responses to Steven's 
query.]

From: Steven Clift <slc at publicus.net>


Greetings,

I'm Steven Clift - http://stevenclift.com

I am putting together some recommendations on local participation for a 
foundation. I've been heavily involved in non-partisan "e-democracy" 
efforts to host community wide discussions of local public issues for 
over a decade. Examples: http://forums.e-democracy.org

I am particularly interested in learning about local online neighborhood 
forums and block clubs using online tools to communicate and further 
their work. Examples from less well off areas are of particular 
interest. Any examples?

If you were looking for online tools to assist the formation of "block 
clubs" what do you think people would actually use? The kinds of things 
that would complement the still required shoe leather work.
(I was quite impressed by Obama's neighbor to neighbor site where 
volunteers could generate local walking or calling lists and I wonder 
how a tool like that could be used locally instead of just nationally.)
Also, while assume a number of you work with neighborhood/resident 
associations, is anyone aware of an online network for neighborhood 
association leaders/professionals/activists or other "places" where such 
folks trade lessons, experiences, and advice.

Please also reply to: clift at publicus.net

Sincerely,
Steven Clift

P.S. E-Democracy.Org has a grant to open online neighborhood forums in 
two low income/high immigrant areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul. We are 
looking for a St. Paul community organizer with strong connections in 
the SE Asian community to assist the launch of our Greater Frogtown 
Forum. Any recommendations? More http://e-democracy.org/nf