OSEMidMO/CEC: Difference between revisions

From Open Source Ecology
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
=Columbia Exchange Circle=
=Columbia Exchange Circle=
Open Source Ecology, Mid Missouri has picked up a project to map and realize the capacities in skills and knowledge of our urban community of Columbia, Missouri.  It is a project inspired by the intentions of Kip Kendrick, President of the Benton Stephens Neighborhood Association and local community organizer.  The intent is to give citizens in our communities in Columbia the capacity to exchange skills, knowledge and possibly goods in a effort to build economic resilience and to strengthen Columbia economically, socially and financially.  We have met several times and deliberated on several key issues.  Though we intended to go door to door, conducting a community skills assessment similar to the survey drawn up by students at NorthWestern univeristy, other possibilities have emerged.  Below we will document our progresses and make transparent all the goings on of this project.


==Proposed Action Plan==
''Hey, sorry, forgot about this page!  The CEC has morphed substantially into a totally different thing.  I wrote that page months and months ago when I was still cultivating interest. 


Though it is not yet fully developed or decided, we have assembled a rough action plan for implementing this project.
Much has happened since and the system is active.  We are looking to garner task forces to get out the word, to get folks orientated and involved.  Check out "Outreach" and "Publicity" sections for more info on how you can get involved.


'''Conduct an Informational Meeting''' - We wish to conduct a large informational meeting and discussion/deliberation in mid january.  Folks involved have drummed up a bit of interest in the community, and gathering everyone who is interested in being involved or being a part of the exchange community would be instrumental in tailoring the project to the desires and capacities of those who would use it.


'''Assemble a Task Force''' - We also wish to assemble a task force of community members, hopefully crosscutting demographically the citizen stakeholders of the exchange network we will be implementing. We wish to ensure that this effort will train leadership to coordinate the implementation and maintenance of said network.  Herein, tasks can be delegated as necessary and per personal capacity of taskforce members.  We will attempt to recruit members of the task force at meetings of local organizations and associations.
Here is an idea of what its all about in its latest stage:


'''Deliberate on Format''' - We will also make final decisions on the format of this network, and how


==Software==
''Last Updated - --[[User:Dikjosef|Richard]] 16:33, 1 March 2009 (PST)''


Vince Foley has taken on a lot of programming work lately, adapting [[www.oscurrency.org| OSCurrency]], developed by the [[www.austintimeexchange.org|Austin Time Exchange]], to our uses.  It is based on the [[www.insoshi.org|Insoshi]] Social Networking platform, which somewhat resembles a simple version of facebook (they are always adding features though!).  Vince has put in a lot of effort adding and tweaking features, sprucing up the interface and working on content.  Its looking very nice and has been launched as of yesterday.  Check it out at http://www.comoexchange.org .  '''Please only sign up if you are in the Columbia, MO area.'''.  In the future we intend to possibly find ways to extend this software to other nearby regions and bridge our exchanges.  Because it is built in ruby-on rails, on-the-fly changes and tweaks will be easier to implement.  There are some features we look forward to adding down the road, but what we have currently is pretty robust to start with.


==Proposed Information/Exchange Format==
===Features:===
There will be several layers of participation in the project available to members of the network.  A local newspaper (The Columbia Missourian) has offered to host the exchange network.  We originally were interested in building a timebank similar to The Skillshare Network in Boulder, CO, however our interests have expanded into the LETS system.


'''Profile''' - The profile will function as an online survey, open application, and a place for discussion and ratings of the user.  We will publicly encourage people to go to the website, learn about the project, and to at least post a profile.  There will be many options for availability of the information, so that one can choose whether potential employers, entrepreneurs, other members, or the public can view different information.  This information can include skills, interests, and what the member is willing to do in the way of employment, volunteerism, education, exchange, or just helping friends and neighbors.
====Profiles====
Here you select a name, upload a photograph (you can have a few), input a secure email address as your login, and select skills from a list that will go into the skillbank.  We hope to add neighborhood networks to profiles as well.  You also have lots of room for a description of whatever length you desire.  When folks or you visit your profile they can see all this info (except the email), and also what offers and requests you have that are active.  There is no adding or removing friends here, we are all friends automatically!  Also, there is an area to post comments.


'''TimeBank''' - Also, the user can decide whether or not they would want to participate in a timebanking system, and/or a LETS system mentioned below.  How to negotiate the exchange of hours and credits may be a problem, and may necessitate combining the two systems as one LETS for simplicities sake.  Herein, it may be advisable to have a toggle for services and goods, and combined exchanges.


The TimeBank will offer users an opportunity to share their skills in the form of exchanges, workshops and mentoring, and hopefully will add to the general economic resilience of our communities.  In the profiles, a rating system will exist so that the quality of service or the character of the provider can be gauged.
====Balance and Activity====
Also, listed is your balance and total activity.  This is instrumental in gauging how balanced a user is at any point you view their profile.''  For example, if they have 300 marbles in total activity, and they are at -40, then you know that where they stand is fine for the system.  However, you can obviously tell that someone who is at -50 and has 50 in activity has some 'splainin to do.  Users can self monitor the system and ask ''hey, what have you to offer?'' '''  it might just be that they are looking for the right request or are shy about their skills.  This is where we can encourage and foster our community's ability to find ways to help eachother out.  You can see what skills they have to offer and say: ''Hey, I've always wanted to learn how to bake bread!'' and suddenly, that person in 'commitment' has learned of a way to give back to the system.
As this functions, no one is ever in debt.  Vince makes this apparent on the website among the explanatory content.


'''LETS''' - Another option will be a LETS system of credit based exchange.  Functioning somewhat like a barter system, except with the intermediary of a credit system, allowing indirect exchanges to take place.  An interesting parallel which renders LETS a neotraditional system is the colonial general store credit system, which operated in much the same way except with a brick and mortar storehouse and proprietor instead of a website.  Different possibilities exist for the regulation and sensible maintenance of this system and the timebank.  The need may arise that a grant paid staffer will need to be hired to maintain this system, to answer calls, and coordinate other aspects of the project.  The hope is that volunteers, earning credits or hours in the LETS or Timebank, respectively, will be able to manage the system.


'''Community Partners''' - These will be local associations, organizations, businesses and institutions who will source volunteers and employees and participate in exchanges and provide opportunities for people to earn and spend credits and hours.  There is much possibility here to build capacity for the system, and in turn build capacity for these organisations and businesses.
====Exchanging====
Each is a main tab wherein you can explore all of what has been recently offered or requested on the system (everything is transparent here!).  It displays a list with an image and name, title of offer or request, and a foreshortened description.  When you click on the title, it takes you to the offer or request page, with a unique url, and there you can make bids on the offer or request.


'''Phone Buddies''' - For the elderly, those with no time or money for computers, or just for those who choose not to use computers, a system of "phone buddies" can be set up so that hours can be earned by managing and posting for non-computer using members.


== MEETING MINUTES! ==
'''Creating an Offer or Request'''
Going to the offer or request page, all you need to do is click a button and start creating a request or offer.  You can make these as simple or fancy if you want.  You can set a date for how long it is available for, give a cost estimate, and accept multiple bids.  You can also re-edit or deactivate and then reactivate if you like as well.


http://openfarmtech.org/index.php?title=CECmtg-01-15-09


==More Information==
'''Offer/Request bidding and exchange function'''
So when you post an offer or request, folks can bid on the item.  If the poster accepts, then a few confirmations happen on both sides to ensure the transaction is mutual.  During the last two confirmations the amount cannot change.


'''Community Capacity Inventory'''


[[http://www.northwestern.edu/ipr/publications/papers/mcc.pdf]]
'''Reccomendations'''
For every transaction that happens, there is the ability for the bidder to give a thumbs up for the good or service with a short description why. This we hope will give people plenty of room to establish repor among users in the system. These will all be reviewable on the profile as long as the offer is active.


[[http://www.yepp-community.org/downloads/empowerment/ABCD%20-%20The%20Capacity%20Inventory.pdf]]


'''Gift Exchange or Direct Transfer'''
With this, all you have to do is visit someones profile and click 'Transfer Gift Marbles'.  You can send them credits with a short description.  This can be used for many things, such as adjusting a past exchange (that jam was a lot tastier than i imagined! +1), making an informal exchange (+10 for CRT monitor, +10 for 8 hay bales), or just for a gift.


'''Time Banking'''
====Other Useful Features====


[[Time Banking International |http://www.timebanks.org/]]
'''Skills Base'''
Here, a list of parent categories with subcategories is displayed. When you click on a subcategory, all the skillholders (all folks who list that skill or good in their profile) are displayed, as well as recent offer and request activity in that subcategory.  This has a lot of use for everyone regardless of how active they are in the system.


[[Time Bank in Columbia, Maryland | http://www.columbiaassociation.com/content/getinvolved/volunteering/exchange_time_bank.cfm]]


[[SkillShare in Boulder, CO | http://www.skillsharenetwork.org/modules/homepage/]]
'''Messaging'''
An inbox, sent messages, and trashcan, the ability to send messages from peoples profiles all exists.  We figure that this is useful for negotiating and for exchanging information about scheduling and locations. Also, people may be able to use this for direct bartering.


'''LETS'''


'''Organizational Stuff'''
'''Events'''
Here, anyone can create an event with a short description, read about events that are going on, even click on a calendar which shows whats going on that day.  You can set dates and times, and list yourself as attending or not attending. All events are displayed.  We hope to use this feature for informal markets, orientations, potlucks, workshops, etc.  This could become a very useful tool for the community who uses CEC to bring people together to exchange skills, marbles, and to enjoy time together and meet folks in their area.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Participatory_Impact_Pathways_Analysis


http://www.skillsharenetwork.org
'''Activity'''
A list on the side of the page under most tabs displays all posts, events, transfers, comments, new categories created, forum posts, etc.  This way people can easily see whats going been going on lately.  It gives them a chance to catch the hot mustard before it runs out or help organize a potluck. 
 
 
'''Forum'''
This we intend to somehow connect to the knowledge exchange that we will discuss at OSN mid missouri - tools to thrive.  For now, you can create topics, and post beneath them.  The propensity to create multiple topic categories is implicit as well.  For now, we will use this to get feedback, to see what ideas and questions people have, and to exchange knowledge and discuss topics of interest in general.
 
 
==Neighborhood/Area - based Management and Outreach==
''(last updated: --[[User:Dikjosef|Richard]] 16:33, 1 March 2009 (PST))''
 
 
We are interested in cultivating interest by outreach efforts within the community.  A proposed idea is to have neighborhood/area task forces of 3 to 6 people that get people involved, show them the ropes, ensure that they are keeping appropriately balanced and help them to become good members.  From this level of organization, neighborhood familiarity and interdependence can be built via events and exchanges.  The neighborhood task forces can gather for larger meetings and deliberations on new features, system functionality and guidelines.
Message me on CEC if you are interested in starting or joining one of these groups.
 
A possibility is that we could create and distributed packets of fliers, information and ideas for folks who are interested in starting one of these.  More information is coming soon!
 
We hope to get the largest cross-section of the community involved as possible.  The more diversified users are, the more they will have to offer eachother and the more it will offer towards building community.  This gives a unique opportunity to build these important bonds in a time when it matters most.
 
There also exists the propensity to involve columbia's neighborhood associations in the CEC as well.  This could be very important in establishing CEC's presence within the community.
 
 
==Publicity==
 
We need folks to help us to get the word out via fliers, stickers, posters to encourage folks to sign up and attend orientations, as well as organize other CEC related events. Vince is working on a flier right now, actually. Also, we could use some help with media relations.  I have been successful in doing some of this but its not easy.  Below is a link to a radio show I did two months ago on KOPN.  There are plenty of journalists and radio hosts in town chomping at the bit for this kind of stuff, so why not reel them in?  If done the right way, this could spread activity and support for CEC and related endeavours easily.
 
Also, PSAs, Press Releases, social networking activity as well as informal or social marketing are important to.  Nothings better than a little word of mouth in this town.
 
==Links:==
===Software===
[[www.insoshi.org|Insoshi]] - Open Source, Ruby on Rails Based Social Networking Platform
[[www.oscurrency.org| OSCurrency]] - A project to bring community currency features to Insoshi initiated by:
[[www.austintimeexchange.org|Austin Time Exchange]] - The first system to implement OSCurrency
'''
[[www.comoexchange.org|Columbia Exchange Circle]] - Thats us!  Thanks Vince for hosting!
'''
===Press===
[[http://kopn.org/a/showrss3.php?n=../aa/rss/Evening_Edition.xml| Richard on KOPN talking about CEC, OSE, Factor E Farm, and Tools to Thrive]]
 
===Planning===
====Meeting Minutes:====

Revision as of 00:33, 2 March 2009

Columbia Exchange Circle

Hey, sorry, forgot about this page! The CEC has morphed substantially into a totally different thing. I wrote that page months and months ago when I was still cultivating interest.

Much has happened since and the system is active. We are looking to garner task forces to get out the word, to get folks orientated and involved. Check out "Outreach" and "Publicity" sections for more info on how you can get involved.


Here is an idea of what its all about in its latest stage:


Software

Last Updated - --Richard 16:33, 1 March 2009 (PST)

Vince Foley has taken on a lot of programming work lately, adapting OSCurrency, developed by the Austin Time Exchange, to our uses. It is based on the Insoshi Social Networking platform, which somewhat resembles a simple version of facebook (they are always adding features though!). Vince has put in a lot of effort adding and tweaking features, sprucing up the interface and working on content. Its looking very nice and has been launched as of yesterday. Check it out at http://www.comoexchange.org . Please only sign up if you are in the Columbia, MO area.. In the future we intend to possibly find ways to extend this software to other nearby regions and bridge our exchanges. Because it is built in ruby-on rails, on-the-fly changes and tweaks will be easier to implement. There are some features we look forward to adding down the road, but what we have currently is pretty robust to start with.

Features:

Profiles

Here you select a name, upload a photograph (you can have a few), input a secure email address as your login, and select skills from a list that will go into the skillbank. We hope to add neighborhood networks to profiles as well. You also have lots of room for a description of whatever length you desire. When folks or you visit your profile they can see all this info (except the email), and also what offers and requests you have that are active. There is no adding or removing friends here, we are all friends automatically! Also, there is an area to post comments.


Balance and Activity

Also, listed is your balance and total activity. This is instrumental in gauging how balanced a user is at any point you view their profile. For example, if they have 300 marbles in total activity, and they are at -40, then you know that where they stand is fine for the system. However, you can obviously tell that someone who is at -50 and has 50 in activity has some 'splainin to do. Users can self monitor the system and ask hey, what have you to offer? ' it might just be that they are looking for the right request or are shy about their skills. This is where we can encourage and foster our community's ability to find ways to help eachother out. You can see what skills they have to offer and say: Hey, I've always wanted to learn how to bake bread! and suddenly, that person in 'commitment' has learned of a way to give back to the system. As this functions, no one is ever in debt. Vince makes this apparent on the website among the explanatory content.


Exchanging

Each is a main tab wherein you can explore all of what has been recently offered or requested on the system (everything is transparent here!). It displays a list with an image and name, title of offer or request, and a foreshortened description. When you click on the title, it takes you to the offer or request page, with a unique url, and there you can make bids on the offer or request.


Creating an Offer or Request Going to the offer or request page, all you need to do is click a button and start creating a request or offer. You can make these as simple or fancy if you want. You can set a date for how long it is available for, give a cost estimate, and accept multiple bids. You can also re-edit or deactivate and then reactivate if you like as well.


Offer/Request bidding and exchange function So when you post an offer or request, folks can bid on the item. If the poster accepts, then a few confirmations happen on both sides to ensure the transaction is mutual. During the last two confirmations the amount cannot change.


Reccomendations For every transaction that happens, there is the ability for the bidder to give a thumbs up for the good or service with a short description why. This we hope will give people plenty of room to establish repor among users in the system. These will all be reviewable on the profile as long as the offer is active.


Gift Exchange or Direct Transfer With this, all you have to do is visit someones profile and click 'Transfer Gift Marbles'. You can send them credits with a short description. This can be used for many things, such as adjusting a past exchange (that jam was a lot tastier than i imagined! +1), making an informal exchange (+10 for CRT monitor, +10 for 8 hay bales), or just for a gift.

Other Useful Features

Skills Base Here, a list of parent categories with subcategories is displayed. When you click on a subcategory, all the skillholders (all folks who list that skill or good in their profile) are displayed, as well as recent offer and request activity in that subcategory. This has a lot of use for everyone regardless of how active they are in the system.


Messaging An inbox, sent messages, and trashcan, the ability to send messages from peoples profiles all exists. We figure that this is useful for negotiating and for exchanging information about scheduling and locations. Also, people may be able to use this for direct bartering.


Events Here, anyone can create an event with a short description, read about events that are going on, even click on a calendar which shows whats going on that day. You can set dates and times, and list yourself as attending or not attending. All events are displayed. We hope to use this feature for informal markets, orientations, potlucks, workshops, etc. This could become a very useful tool for the community who uses CEC to bring people together to exchange skills, marbles, and to enjoy time together and meet folks in their area.


Activity A list on the side of the page under most tabs displays all posts, events, transfers, comments, new categories created, forum posts, etc. This way people can easily see whats going been going on lately. It gives them a chance to catch the hot mustard before it runs out or help organize a potluck.


Forum This we intend to somehow connect to the knowledge exchange that we will discuss at OSN mid missouri - tools to thrive. For now, you can create topics, and post beneath them. The propensity to create multiple topic categories is implicit as well. For now, we will use this to get feedback, to see what ideas and questions people have, and to exchange knowledge and discuss topics of interest in general.


Neighborhood/Area - based Management and Outreach

(last updated: --Richard 16:33, 1 March 2009 (PST))


We are interested in cultivating interest by outreach efforts within the community. A proposed idea is to have neighborhood/area task forces of 3 to 6 people that get people involved, show them the ropes, ensure that they are keeping appropriately balanced and help them to become good members. From this level of organization, neighborhood familiarity and interdependence can be built via events and exchanges. The neighborhood task forces can gather for larger meetings and deliberations on new features, system functionality and guidelines. Message me on CEC if you are interested in starting or joining one of these groups.

A possibility is that we could create and distributed packets of fliers, information and ideas for folks who are interested in starting one of these. More information is coming soon!

We hope to get the largest cross-section of the community involved as possible. The more diversified users are, the more they will have to offer eachother and the more it will offer towards building community. This gives a unique opportunity to build these important bonds in a time when it matters most.

There also exists the propensity to involve columbia's neighborhood associations in the CEC as well. This could be very important in establishing CEC's presence within the community.


Publicity

We need folks to help us to get the word out via fliers, stickers, posters to encourage folks to sign up and attend orientations, as well as organize other CEC related events. Vince is working on a flier right now, actually. Also, we could use some help with media relations. I have been successful in doing some of this but its not easy. Below is a link to a radio show I did two months ago on KOPN. There are plenty of journalists and radio hosts in town chomping at the bit for this kind of stuff, so why not reel them in? If done the right way, this could spread activity and support for CEC and related endeavours easily.

Also, PSAs, Press Releases, social networking activity as well as informal or social marketing are important to. Nothings better than a little word of mouth in this town.

Links:

Software

Insoshi - Open Source, Ruby on Rails Based Social Networking Platform OSCurrency - A project to bring community currency features to Insoshi initiated by: Austin Time Exchange - The first system to implement OSCurrency Columbia Exchange Circle - Thats us! Thanks Vince for hosting!

Press

[Richard on KOPN talking about CEC, OSE, Factor E Farm, and Tools to Thrive]

Planning

Meeting Minutes:

Retrieved from "https://wiki.opensourceecology.org/index.php?title=OSEMidMO/CEC&oldid=6210"