Future of the Changeblogger Network: Keep it or Delete it?

[Britt Bravo]

Hello Changebloggers!

With my busy schedule, I'm finding that I don't have time to properly grow and cultivate this social network.

I need to know from you:

1. Should we keep it or delete it?
2. If we keep it, what would you like to see happen with it?
3. How can you help grow and maintain it?

Things I would like to see from the Changeblogger Network:

1. Online and offline social and skill sharing events.

2. Badges with one of the wonderful logos my friend Elizabeth designed for us:
http://changeblogger.ning.com/forum/topics/2285848:Topic:2766

3. Customized site design that incorporates the logo.

I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Britt
www.brittbravo.com

[David Collin]

I hate to say it, but without some facilitation I think Changeblogger will need to be scrapped. Members don't seem to have found common ground for discussions or projects through self-organization. If you had time you could do some matchmaking by suggesting some members check-out others with similar issues.

I think these days we tend to get over-subscribed. We'd like to participate but we've already got too many other irons in the fire, so to speak.

David

[Nancy Gallant]

Hi Britt and Changebloggers ~

Good question! You are right to want to try to focus on the many good things you are already involved with... And, it is so hard to sift through the many wonderful causes and organizations on the net ~ not a bad problem to have, eh?

All that said, I think it makes sense to consider working within an existing site that has already built momentum... Immediately, SocialActions came to mind and Change.org . I had it in my head that both had the ability to create subgroups within them and was going to suggest creating a Changeblogger subgroup within one of those established and active groups. Upon quick check, however, I don't see the subgroup option that I had imagined. I'd love to hear your thoughts on that, Britt, as I believe you know the folks at SocialActions (and that is what I take changeblogging to be about ~ creating change through social actions, facilitated by the internet).

To use an oft-overused cliche ~ it's all good ~ which is a pretty optimisitic outlook during these troubled economic times ~ times laced with opportunity for positive change toward conscious capitalism, IMHO ~ but that's a topic for another day!

It'll be interesting to see the response to this question.

: ) Nancy

Time Well Spent
www.twsblog.wordpress.com

[Cami Walker]

Hi Britt and Changebloggers,
Having built an active social network with nearly 4,000 members, I can attest to the amount of time and energy it takes to make a site like this successful. I had to put out a call for assistance some time ago and there is now a team of 16 volunteers who help keeps our network growing and running smoothly.

I wish I could say I have time to step up and serve this network myself because I think it's a great idea in theory. But the reality is I have trouble juggling everything that's already on my plate, which is true of many of us, I'm sure.

I like the idea of forming a group on an established site.

Cami
http://www.29Gifts.org

[Nancy Gallant]

Hi Again ~

I found the group that I was thinking of that has subgroups ~ At first glance, it seems all nature-y (not that there is anything wrong with that as I am a born-again environmentalist myself)... but a look at the groups page shows a lot of caring little niches that are covered...

See what you think:

http://connect.bioneers.org/groups

Also, the set up must be via Ning, by the look of it, so folks would already "get" the format...

[Qui Diaz]

Hi folks. Britt, thanks for involving everyone in this decision. It takes no small amount of smarts (and guts) to shift gears.

I think it would be great if we could all find a way to continue to band together as a team. A rising tide lifts all boats, and with very little effort Britt has elevated Changebloggers as an important blogging niche.

Here are two ways we can all help keep things afloat:
- Display the Changeblogger badge on our blogs. (Is it finalized/available for use?)
- Become better acquainted with each other and expand our blog convos with one another. Are we up for a Changeblog Carnival or something more suitable?

Finally, Geoff Livingston and me would really like to further the visibility of this community, and have a cool idea for doing so. We've talked with Britt and Beth Kanter about creating an index of cause-related blogs (a la the AdAge 150 - http://adage.com/power150/), but would love your input, too. Bloggers would be asked to self-elect themselves for the list through a web-based form. All we'd ask from the community is to A) submit your blog, of course! B) share the list w/ those who might find it useful.

Geoff and I would like to do this as a gift to the community as part of some of our other efforts (we're writing a book on "Social Media for Social Good" w/ Beth, among other things), so we would front the costs to build and maintain the list. It's certainly not intended to replace the Changeblogger network, rather supplement/elevate the community which already exists.

Does this resonate? Would it be helpful to you?

Thanks and Happy Friday!
Qui

[David Collin]

Good ideas, Qui. I'd be willing to participate in some way. I guess we all need to take some piece of doing a little bit more.

Qui Diaz said:

Hi folks. Britt, thanks for involving everyone in this decision. It takes no small amount of smarts (and guts) to shift gears.

I think it would be great if we could all find a way to continue to band together as a team. A rising tide lifts all boats, and with very little effort Britt has elevated Changebloggers as an important blogging niche.

Here are two ways we can all help keep things afloat:
- Display the Changeblogger badge on our blogs. (Is it finalized/available for use?)
- Become better acquainted with each other and expand our blog convos with one another. Are we up for a Changeblog Carnival or something more suitable?

Finally, Geoff Livingston and me would really like to further the visibility of this community, and have a cool idea for doing so. We've talked with Britt and Beth Kanter about creating an index of cause-related blogs (a la the AdAge 150 - http://adage.com/power150/), but would love your input, too. Bloggers would be asked to self-elect themselves for the list through a web-based form. All we'd ask from the community is to A) submit your blog, of course! B) share the list w/ those who might find it useful.

Geoff and I would like to do this as a gift to the community as part of some of our other efforts (we're writing a book on "Social Media for Social Good" w/ Beth, among other things), so we would front the costs to build and maintain the list. It's certainly not intended to replace the Changeblogger network, rather supplement/elevate the community which already exists.

Does this resonate? Would it be helpful to you?

Thanks and Happy Friday!
Qui

[Nathan Ketsdever]

>>>>>Finally, Geoff Livingston and me would really like to further the visibility of this community, and have a cool idea for doing so. We've talked with Britt and Beth Kanter about creating an index of cause-related blogs (a la the AdAge 150 - http://adage.com/power150/), but would love your input, too.

Agreed.