Comments on: Nonprofit 2.0 and the architecture of participation http://www.nonprofittechblog.org/nonprofit-20-and-the-architecture-of-participation?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nonprofit-20-and-the-architecture-of-participation Confessions of a Non-Profit Executive Director Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:36:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Ginny http://www.nonprofittechblog.org/nonprofit-20-and-the-architecture-of-participation/comment-page-1#comment-36628 Ginny Wed, 25 Jul 2007 22:57:39 +0000 http://www.nonprofittechblog.org/nonprofit-20-and-the-architecture-of-participation#comment-36628 Thanks for the quick response. I did a lot of research on Intranet 2.0 tools... as Clearspace was being developed. My impression was that the organization has to be clear that it supports that transparency. They can't say they do, but then turn around and punish someone for being open (within reason, of course). Most that have been using it seem to like it. Kind of levels the playing field and lets you take advantage of all the players, not just those visible at the top. Anyway, take a look at Clearspace. I'm fairly familiar with it b/c I did a bit of writing for Jive Software (how I make more of my living). I'll take a listen to the audio when I have a bit more time... But I'm with you on transparency. I'm trying to get there. Just started a blog for myself: www.mylittlenonprofit.blogspot.com. Want to make sure I'm respecting my organization with my openness (I have a sense of humor that would get me in trouble if I let it out). That's the line I walk. Once I figure out how to connect my Clearspace blog with my web site (just need time to figure it out), you'll see it out on the naphit.org site. Thanks again for your thoughts! Thanks for the quick response. I did a lot of research on Intranet 2.0 tools… as Clearspace was being developed. My impression was that the organization has to be clear that it supports that transparency. They can’t say they do, but then turn around and punish someone for being open (within reason, of course). Most that have been using it seem to like it. Kind of levels the playing field and lets you take advantage of all the players, not just those visible at the top.

Anyway, take a look at Clearspace. I’m fairly familiar with it b/c I did a bit of writing for Jive Software (how I make more of my living). I’ll take a listen to the audio when I have a bit more time… But I’m with you on transparency. I’m trying to get there. Just started a blog for myself: http://www.mylittlenonprofit.blogspot.com. Want to make sure I’m respecting my organization with my openness (I have a sense of humor that would get me in trouble if I let it out). That’s the line I walk. Once I figure out how to connect my Clearspace blog with my web site (just need time to figure it out), you’ll see it out on the naphit.org site. Thanks again for your thoughts!

]]> By: Allan Benamer http://www.nonprofittechblog.org/nonprofit-20-and-the-architecture-of-participation/comment-page-1#comment-36624 Allan Benamer Wed, 25 Jul 2007 22:40:56 +0000 http://www.nonprofittechblog.org/nonprofit-20-and-the-architecture-of-participation#comment-36624 I'm loving that Clearspace tool right now! Signed up for a demo tomorrow. However, you're right. It's not the technology that will bring participation. I think people are generally speaking pretty smart about participation. If there's even one iota of possible punishment for people who speak out, then there's no way it will happen. If you're not used to being transparent, then people will sniff that out and start shutting down. I noticed on your org's website that you don't have a blog. That's a first sign of lack of openness. I really suggest you take a look at the approach we're implementing. We recently attend a roundtable in Boston. We really tried to make it as open a conversation as possible. <a href="http://www.socialmarkets.org/media/EthosRT_2007_07_17_AllanBenamer_JeffTuller.mp3" rel="nofollow">Download it here.</A> If you notice, there's only one place where I said "no" but it was coming from my values system, not coming from a need to control the conversation. And I think it's those interpersonal things that really stand out. Once people see that, I don't doubt that they will really participate. I’m loving that Clearspace tool right now! Signed up for a demo tomorrow.

However, you’re right. It’s not the technology that will bring participation. I think people are generally speaking pretty smart about participation. If there’s even one iota of possible punishment for people who speak out, then there’s no way it will happen. If you’re not used to being transparent, then people will sniff that out and start shutting down.

I noticed on your org’s website that you don’t have a blog. That’s a first sign of lack of openness. I really suggest you take a look at the approach we’re implementing. We recently attend a roundtable in Boston. We really tried to make it as open a conversation as possible. Download it here.

If you notice, there’s only one place where I said “no” but it was coming from my values system, not coming from a need to control the conversation. And I think it’s those interpersonal things that really stand out. Once people see that, I don’t doubt that they will really participate.

]]> By: Ginny http://www.nonprofittechblog.org/nonprofit-20-and-the-architecture-of-participation/comment-page-1#comment-36618 Ginny Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:59:58 +0000 http://www.nonprofittechblog.org/nonprofit-20-and-the-architecture-of-participation#comment-36618 I've run this non-profit for the leaders in public health IT for almost 4.5 years, with a year and a half off in the middle. I recently received 100 user licenses, plus hosting, from Jive Software for Clearspace, their Intranet 2.0 offering. It's an awesome tool, but it does not solve the problem of getting people to participate. In the business world, where your pay is bound to your ideas and participation, it must be easier to get participation. These tools give folks a chance to have their ideas heard and to be noticed. In the non-profit world, where you rely on volunteers, the incentives are not quite so apparent. Any ideas for how to get participation? Especially when your members are already working 10-12 hour days? I’ve run this non-profit for the leaders in public health IT for almost 4.5 years, with a year and a half off in the middle. I recently received 100 user licenses, plus hosting, from Jive Software for Clearspace, their Intranet 2.0 offering. It’s an awesome tool, but it does not solve the problem of getting people to participate. In the business world, where your pay is bound to your ideas and participation, it must be easier to get participation. These tools give folks a chance to have their ideas heard and to be noticed. In the non-profit world, where you rely on volunteers, the incentives are not quite so apparent. Any ideas for how to get participation? Especially when your members are already working 10-12 hour days?

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