How the Internet Enhances Community

 

Introduction

 

In the past few years, the Internet has become an essential part of our everyday lives both as individuals and as members of a community.

 

Contemporary information technologies, available to our personal use, also give our communities an opportunity to share information and responsibility with a larger number of people.

 

When building a website for a community, we are faced with many choices and countless tools available for inclusion. It is therefore crucial to analyze the needs of the specific community, and clearly define a purpose for its website.

 

Every community is special. This should be reflected in the community's website: in the information displayed online, and in the tools available for users.

 

One should keep in mind that a community website has two parts: an internal zone, restricted for community members, and an external zone for the larger public. The scope of each zone largely depends on the website's purposes, as well as on the community's needs.

 

We illustrate here some common purposes and usages for community websites that we have built through the years.

 

Website Purposes

In most cases, community websites serve more than one purpose:

 

Display and distribute information

Active community websites distribute valuable information to members of the community. Information can be distributed in a variety of ways, including auto send, newsletters, and mailing lists. Password-protected section in the website can include confidential information for authorized users. Through the website, information becomes accessible and easy to find.

 

Online Services

Community websites may include tools for processing members' service calls and requests for using shared resources. An organizational calendar, for instance, allows members to see when a public space is available, and then book it for an event.

 

Dialog

Community websites, when managed sensibly, can become platforms for discussions. Forums and talkbacks allow community members to exchange ideas and have a dialog. Since all users can state opinions on the website, it reflects rather reliably the diversity in the community.

 

Documentation

Community websites can document experiences shared by community members, and invite members to participate in various events. Children pictures, Kibbutz celebrations videos, cultural events, council meetings, holidays, committee meetings, sports events, etc. In some cases the website also serves archival and commemorational needs.

 

Marketing

Sometimes, community websites serve external purposes, like recruiting new residents, or promoting community entrepreneurships and small businesses.

 

Success Indicators

 

A community website's success depends on several things. We highly recommend addressing all of them before commencing the work.

 

Customization

Content and tool should be customized to the target users. New community needs should also be constantly identified, and implemented on the website.

 

Basic Web Services

Important services available on the website greatly enhance its importance to the community. Members visit the website every day to use a certain service, and at the same time receive significant materials, provided by the administrator.

 

Updates

Users visit websites often, if they are updated on a regular basis. A website that wasn't update will slowly (or rapidly!) lose visitors. Updates must be relevant to life in the community.

 

Content Management

To enable all of the above, a content manager must be appointed for the website. A content manger is responsible for adding relevant materials to the website. This is not a technical function, and only requires basic technical skills. The content manager must have the time to do the job. We highly recommend a person involved in the community. The task involves 4-16 hours/week, depending on the website's size and traffic.

 

Steering Team

We recommend building a team that will occasionally set website policies and determine development needs. The team should be small enough to be efficient. We suggest team meetings once every two months.

 

Basic Tools

  

Tool	Description	Purposes
Magicpage Info Pages	Create and manage informative web pages, dynamic menus and web forms. Use an uploader to add files to the website.  Add all types of data and create  pages like meeting protocols, brochures, etc.	Display and distribute information, marketing
Talkbacks	Add a component allowing users to respond to documents, and discuss articles.	Dialog
Administration System	Add users, and set user permissions for tools. Set passwords for sections to authorized users.	Display and distribute information
Search Engine	Use a fast and smart search engine to find information on the website. View links to pages containing the search words.	Display and distribute information
Hamster	Create and manage databases online. Import and export data to an electronic sheet. SQL database. Create databases for registrations, pictures, documents, etc.	Display and distribute information, online services, marketing, documentation
News Box	Add dynamic news boxes anywhere on the site.	Display and distribute information
News and Updates	Let users know what's new on the website, and send updates to subscribers. This is one of the primary tools to deliver information in a regularly updated website.	Display and distribute information

 

Customized Systems

 

Tool	Description	Purposes
Organizational Calendar	Add a community calendar, and manage resources. See events by categories in a monthly, weekly or daily view. Allocate location and resources to event (authorized users), and make community resources accessible to all.	Display and distribute information, online services, documentation
Classifieds	Quickly add the latest information from the community. Allow any authorized user to add, edit, and delete ads.	Display and distribute information
Yizkor	Use a memorial system: a binder of web pages, dedicated to the deceased of the community. Display personal information and photos. Add pictures, documents, films, audio files, etc.	Documentation
Resolutions and Guidelines Database.	Archive all guidelines, protocols and resolutions this Hamster database. Includes a search engine, allowing community members to find information easily.	Display and distribute information
Service Calls	Manage service calls. Allow community members to open calls for predefined services (electricity, plumbing, gardening, etc.), and receive status updates. Authorize a service manager to view and prioritize calls. Create reports about calls' status, and analyze the quality of various services in the community, or address irregularities.	Online services
Car Usage Scheduler	Use a scheduler to manage efficiently the shared vehicle resources in the community. Make information about car availability accessible to all community members. Allow authorized users to handle their own car needs from any web browser.	Online services
Electronic Bulletin Board	Add a news box to facilitate work with the electronic bulletin board in the community's video channel.	Display and distribute information
Contacts	Manage phone numbers and email addresses. Includes a search engine and a component to create mailing labels and email distribution lists.	Display and distribute information
Forum	Add a smart forum system for discussions. Display discussions in tree view (hierarchical) or grid view (linear).  Start closed, open, or read-only discussions.	Dialog
Polls	Create and manage polls. Set questions, optional answers and a segmentation of responses.	Dialog
Voting System	Vote in the kibbutz discussion from any web browser. Suitable for a kibbutz that broadcasts meetings on a private video channel, and wants non-participant viewers to vote, thus increasing the number of decision-makers in the community.	Dialog

 

Successful Community Websites

Kibbutz Mishmar Haemeq

Kibbutz Dafna

Kibbutz Gat

Kibbutz Hatzerim

Kibbutz Shamir

Kibbutz Gan Shmuel