Joseph PorcelliChief Executive Neighbor
Neighbors for Neighbors, Inc.
A nonprofit 501c3
857-222-4420@NeighborTweet
JosephPorcelli.com@JosephPorcelli
WHAT IS NEIGHBORS FOR NEIGHBORS?
501c3Boston18 Networks
ENABLES PERMISSION TO CONNECT
Provides multiple entry points / lowers barrier to engage
Network says it is OK to reach out
PROVIDES SOUNDBOARD FOR VOICES
Honors those who did the work before and empowers those doing the work today
Network lets anyone share and everyone listen
CREATES SPRINGBOARD FOR ACTION
Moves people from discussion to making things happen
Network lets anyone create and everyone participate
NEIGHBORS FOR NEIGHBORS
HISTORY & FUTURE
2004: Started organizing in response to crime March 2008: Started Jamaica Plain (Boston) pilot social network September 2009: Launch with Boston Mayor 2010: Your city or town…
BUILD A TOOL FOR EVEYONE
Make it easy for everyone to collaborate Enable others to self organize without centralized leadership Reduce frustrations and increase satisfaction
HOW WE ARE UNIQUE
Neighborhood centric Community generated Connect neighbors to each other where they are Connect neighbors and government to each other
KEY DIFFERENCES
Facebook and Twitter- People you already know
- About anything in the world
- Online
Facebook and Twitter- People you already know
- About anything in the world
- Online
Neighbors for Neighbors- People you may not know
- Only about neighborhood
- Online and Offlline
Neighbors for Neighbors- People you may not know
- Only about neighborhood
- Online and Offlline
PLATFORM: BUILT ON “NING”
Robust Features: Almost everything we wanted without having to build it or pay hefty fees
Allows control of brand: Customizable to our look and feel
Hosted Solution: We focus on building the network, they focus on building the platform
MAYOR’S LAISON
Approach people: meet residents where they are
Post blog: neighbors read
Reply and Comment: builds individual relationship by leaving comments on walls
Send blast to entire network: reach everyone immediately
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BOSTON POLICE SUPERVISOR
BENEFITS
Monitor: what people are saying and not necessarily reporting
Build Trust: be known as a resource and ally
Facts: ability to communicate the facts and dispel hearsay.
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EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS - CERT
Barriers: lack of relationships
Goal: engage with many using little time or resources
Neighborhood Solution: instant access to thousands from a trusted source
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NEIGHBORHOOD ZONE GROUPS
CrimeReports.com: get data and organize
Members/Neighbors: meet near neighbors
Discussions: block parties, yard sales, potlucks
Targeted: send messages to specific zones
BEECHER PARK
2005 2009
PEOPLE LOVE IT
“This is awesome”
Compare last three months to the same period last year 407% increase in visitors 543% increase in pageviews
Explosive expansion Grew from 1 to 18 neighborhoods Expansion only limited by capacity
GOVERNMENT & COMMUNITY TOGETHER
Provides multiple entry points / lowers barrier to engage
Honors those who did the work before and empowers those doing the work today
Moves people from discussion to making things happen
NEXT STEPS
Our Vision: The Neighbor Movement Create partnerships with governments and community groups to connect and empower neighborhoods everywhere
Your Vision… We want to plan, build, implement, train and manage networks for your communities
Joseph PorcelliChief Executive Neighbor
Neighbors for Neighbors, Inc.
A nonprofit 501c3
857-222-4420@NeighborTweet
JosephPorcelli.com@JosephPorcelli