A Word About Our Community Reviews
Reflecting our deep admiration for the dedication, hard work and positive
social missions displayed by each organization we examine, CoreWeb "Reviews"
are written in a methodical, comprehensive manner using CoreWeb community
building principles as a framework for evaluation.
Should you find yourself in disagreement with, in support of, or with questions regarding, any aspect of the reviews, please tell us! Post a comment,
generate a conversation, contact us -- we welcome your feedback and would love to hear from you! If we don't know about the full breadth of your efforts, educate us, and we'll make sure to modify the review appropriately.
This open process is meant to provide constructive feedback and best practices among all the organizations we review. Growing a community of supporters is challenging, so learning from each other is a laudable goal!
Ratings are added to the end of each posted review as a quick-recap of the strengths, potential assets, and areas of improvement the author identifies at each site. The reviewer creates the ratings with a focus on the question, "How successfully does an organization layout a path towards boosterism?" By analyzing the community-building tools that are implemented by each organization, the reviewer creates the ratings informally, after re-reading the review, and noting the aspects of community building were best in class, had potential, or needed attention at each site. Each rating is supported by a simple graphic that reflects these evaluations:
Highlight particularly high-functioning, community-building aspects of online communitites
Point out good ideas that have potential, but need a bit of work
Outline aspects of a site where there seems to be a disconnect online when working towards a larger goal
What is a Joiner?
We were hoping you would ask! A booster is an individual who takes on a more sizeable role within an organization by engaging in activities that support a group's mission with a "multiplying effect". Boosters typically write blog entries or start forum threads, organize volunteer efforts, facilitate fundraisers, connect local and online communities for events and speak publicly in support of an organization. The activity of a booster allows an organization's energy to grow at an exponential rate.
What is a Booster?
We were hoping you would ask! A booster is an individual who takes on a more sizeable role within an organization by engaging in activities that support a group's mission with a "multiplying effect". Boosters typically write blog entries or start forum threads, organize volunteer efforts, facilitate fundraisers, connect local and online communities for events and speak publicly in support of an organization. The activity of a booster allows an organization's energy to grow at an exponential rate.
Further discussion:
The Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center seems like an amazing place. After poking around the website, I felt like I really got a feel for the space, the opportunities found there, and the functions it performs- for students, corporate staff and visitors alike. As I wandered around the site looking for pathways that a supporter could take towards greater engagement, I was excited to find a few initiatives. Most importantly, Thompson Island has a large, prominent banner encouraging supporters to fundraise for them at FirstGiving. Thank you! So many nonprofits use FirstGiving tools, but then fail to post them to their site when this is a wonderful, simple way for boosters to show support! Also intriguing was the Young Professionals Network, which seems to be a rather new initiative that aims to formalize and encourage support from young professionals in the Boston area. I took a peek through some photographs from their first day, which seemed like a lot of fun. I only wish there were some stories to read about people's experiences.
Recommendations:
My biggest recommendation for the Thompson Island site is to try and make the online space more about the people who enjoy the island. I would have loved to read stories about student experiences in programs, from new or seasoned instructors, or even from corporate employees who participated in a team building day. Just as I mentioned above that I got a great feel for the place itself, I did not get the same about the community of people within that space. Putting these stories online would be a powerful tool to add to pages such as the donations page or as a way of encouraging more advocacy about the organization.
