The presentation discussed building and nurturing global online communities. It outlined four core stages to launching an online community platform: catalyzing/creating, launching, enhancing and expanding, and transforming and transitioning. Special considerations for global online communities include different comfort levels with technology, technical options in different areas, and bandwidth challenges. The presentation provided case studies and tips, emphasizing making platforms accessible, empowering moderators, and balancing online and offline attention.

1. 2012 Association International
Conference
Building and Nurturing
Global Online Communities
May 1, 2012 2:45p.m.
Bonnie Koenig and
Amy Sample Ward
#asaeintl

2. Who we are
Amy Sample Ward Bonnie Koenig
Membership Director President
NTEN: Nonprofit Technology Network Going International
Who are you?

3. Why an Online Community?
Engagement

4. Why an Online Community?
Asynchronous

5. Why an Online Community?
Offline

6. Your Organization
In order to be successful as an organization
supporting a community, you must have:
– Culture to listen and follow

7. 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

8. 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

9. Building the Community
Four core stages of launching an online
community platform:
• Catalyzing / Creating

10. Building the Community
Four core stages of launching an online
community platform:
• Catalyzing / Creating
• Launching

11. Building the Community
Four core stages of launching an online
community platform:
• Catalyzing / Creating
• Launching
• Enhancing and Expanding

12. Building the Community
Four core stages of launching an online
community platform:
• Catalyzing / Creating
• Launching
• Enhancing and Expanding
• Transforming and Transition

13. Building the Community
Throughout all 4 stages,
you must incorporate:
• Feedback from all stakeholders (full circle)

14. Building the Community
Throughout all 4 stages,
you must incorporate:
• Feedback from all stakeholders (full circle)
• Adaptation (of your plan, tools, message)

15. 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)

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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...)

19. Special aspects of online global
To influence each element, you should:
• match functionality to the content members want to
use/access

20. 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

21. 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.

24. Case Study: TechSoup Global

25. Case Study: NetSquared

26. Case Study: NTEN

27. Case Study: NTEN

28. 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

29. Discussion
In your association, are you:
• Currently supporting an online community?
• What are your struggles?
• What are your successes?
• What are your questions!

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

31. Contact Information
Bonnie Koenig
President
Going International
(773) 233-5755
bonnie@goinginternational.com
http://www.goinginternational.com
Amy Sample Ward
Membership Director
NTEN: Nonprofit Technology Network
415-397-9000
amy@nten.org or amy@amysampleward.org
http://amysampleward.org