Open communication with communities

[semioticrobotic]

I'm creating a wider space for thinking through this idea, because @robinmuilwijk has expressed an interest in tackling it (thanks, @robinmuilwijk!).

I believe @LauraHilliger suggested something along these lines at our last meeting. In particular, we discussed the need for an article that offered folks inside an organization who lack experience reaching out to and connecting with communities:

• Tips for interacting
• Tips for asking permission
• Tips for gathering awareness

So, @robinmuilwijk, I'm wondering if something like this wouldn't be a place to start:

How (or how not) to engage your community

Introduction and framing

• Open organizations "engage participatory communities inside and out," Jim says, but what's really the best way to do that? What are the consequences of doing it wrong? What are the benefits of doing it right?
• I (@robinmuilwijk) occupy a unique position, because I'm a community manager; I operate at the interface between a for-profit firm and a volunteer commnity.
• I've seen companies engage their communities the right way, and I've seen them do it the wrong way.
• Let me share some tips.

Best practices

• What do know before you engage (and what to do)
• What do know while you engage (and what to do)
• What do know after you engage (and what to do)

(I'm sure Robin can help fill in some of the blanks here, but I know he's eager to have community input.)

[ghost]

Thanks for setting this up @semioticrobotic !

[ghost]

Already got a question. What was the exact idea/question from @LauraHilliger ? I read: "the need for an article that offered folks inside an organization who lack experience reaching out to and connecting with communities".

And the title of a possible article you suggest @semioticrobotic reads: "How (or how not) to engage your community".

How do I see this person, wanting to communicate, where does he/she stand in relation to the organization and community mentioned? Is the community run by that organization, or is it a random community this person want to reach out to?

[LauraHilliger]

I was probably thinking about this from my experience inside Greenpeace. When I started I felt like a different species. I was the only one coming from the open source community and trying to engage in an open way. Luckily for me, I have no problem with the awkward and discomfort that comes from being in this position, but it's because I'm already a believer.

My bull-in-a-china-shop method is more for people with a deep understanding of open (and a serious amount of confidence and possibly required extroversion).

What about people who learn about, say the open definition and maturity model, notice that their organisation could be doing better, but don't have the experience to create change or even gather community to start a little mini movement in the company/org? Do we have advice for them?

[ghost]

Thanks for the input @LauraHilliger , that will give me enough information as to context. I'll work on an outline first and have this checked with @semioticrobotic asap.

[semioticrobotic]

Looking forward to it, @robinmuilwijk!

[ghost]

Note to self; related to connecting with external communities, https://opensource.com/open-organization/18/9/mozilla-open-archetypes