do any Time Banks have a blog?

someone recently suggested to me that our Time Bank start a blog. I am interested in learning more about an idea like this...including whether any current Time Banks have one, how they are used, and if any issues of confidentiality might be a concern?

Conceptually, I could see having a blog for our timebank because it seems like each and every day there is some info we would like to get out to all members, and this would be a quick way to do it - instead of using the broadcast feature of Community Weaver. However, the first problem would be getting anyone to read it. When I do a broadcast, I know that each member with email has gotten a note with the info. On a blog, it could just sit there unread forever. And, as usual, we only have a little over 60% of our members with email or computer access, which again limits access to the blog.

As for security, you'd have to be very careful with posting member information, or even event information since the blog is mot likely in the public domain. You could use first names and initials, but for me I'm sure I would slip and put a name or address in it.

BUT --- I would like to think each timebank getting it's out SECURE web area on the timebanks server would allay these problems. Access could be only to those who login to the proper timebank and then have access to that timebanks information. This would allow not necessarily a blog, but just a place for your own web pages with all the info you wanted to post to your members (only).

Unless your members have RSS readers or visit your blog every day, I would not recommend using it as a tool to get information out to them.

A blog is more of a site to be used for public shout-outs. To keep the community around you - businesses, government, press - abreast of your activities. Think of it as a self-promotion tool the non-Time Banking world.

Depending on the software tool used, each post on your blog is added to a feed and syndication services can be pinged to alert them that there is a new post on your feed. These feeds are then picked up by Technorati.com, Google Reader and other similar services. Additionally, users can subscribe to your feeds and thus are alerted to new posts on your blog.

Try out Google Reader and Bloglines to get a feel for RSS readers if you have not used these before. Also perform searches on Technorati to see how information is disseminated via blogs.

This is only scratching the surface when it comes to the power of blogs. In the ultimate analysis, a tool is only as powerful as the use you put it to and that applies to blogs, too.
_________________
Manisha
http://www.timebanks.org/ :: TimeBanks USA

Would anyone care to comment on using

1) an email list serve either as an announcement (one to many) or as a discussion group (many to many)

2) using either Google or Yahoo groups

3) Forum Board tech method.

Any of the above seems better then a blog at keeping TimeBank members in the information loop

We are currently using Google groups at www.tbmw.org see "News and Chat" in the center right column, and are considering all options.

Cheers,
Tony

I would recommend Google Groups.

Hello,
At the Mid Maine TimeBank (www.midmetimebank.org), we do keep a blog on our homepage that automatically links to our Page on Facebook so that they are both up-to-date regularly. Our TimeBank continues to use many methods of communication including the Community Weaver Alert system, the Blog on our website and our presence on social networking sites including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
By using a combination like this, we ensure that all of our members stay up to date with all of the important information from our TimeBank!
Ryan-

Author	Message	Add Your Reply
do any Time Banks have a blog?
Barbara Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Posts: 28 Location/Time Bank: Lynn, MA	Dated: Fri Jun 08, 2007 11:41 am Subject: do any Time Banks have a blog?
	someone recently suggested to me that our Time Bank start a blog. I am interested in learning more about an idea like this...including whether any current Time Banks have one, how they are used, and if any issues of confidentiality might be a concern?
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kdep Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Posts: 25 Location/Time Bank: Allentown, pa	Dated: Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:11 am Subject:
	Conceptually, I could see having a blog for our timebank because it seems like each and every day there is some info we would like to get out to all members, and this would be a quick way to do it - instead of using the broadcast feature of Community Weaver. However, the first problem would be getting anyone to read it. When I do a broadcast, I know that each member with email has gotten a note with the info. On a blog, it could just sit there unread forever. And, as usual, we only have a little over 60% of our members with email or computer access, which again limits access to the blog. As for security, you'd have to be very careful with posting member information, or even event information since the blog is mot likely in the public domain. You could use first names and initials, but for me I'm sure I would slip and put a name or address in it. BUT --- I would like to think each timebank getting it's out SECURE web area on the timebanks server would allay these problems. Access could be only to those who login to the proper timebank and then have access to that timebanks information. This would allow not necessarily a blog, but just a place for your own web pages with all the info you wanted to post to your members (only).
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Manisha Moderator Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Posts: 334 Location/Time Bank: Louisville, Colorado	Dated: Wed Jun 13, 2007 12:47 pm Subject:
	Unless your members have RSS readers or visit your blog every day, I would not recommend using it as a tool to get information out to them. A blog is more of a site to be used for public shout-outs. To keep the community around you - businesses, government, press - abreast of your activities. Think of it as a self-promotion tool the non-Time Banking world. Depending on the software tool used, each post on your blog is added to a feed and syndication services can be pinged to alert them that there is a new post on your feed. These feeds are then picked up by Technorati.com, Google Reader and other similar services. Additionally, users can subscribe to your feeds and thus are alerted to new posts on your blog. Try out Google Reader and Bloglines to get a feel for RSS readers if you have not used these before. Also perform searches on Technorati to see how information is disseminated via blogs. This is only scratching the surface when it comes to the power of blogs. In the ultimate analysis, a tool is only as powerful as the use you put it to and that applies to blogs, too. _________________ Manisha http://www.timebanks.org/ :: TimeBanks USA
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TonyB Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 91 Location/Time Bank: N.E. Ohio	Dated: Fri Feb 20, 2009 7:46 pm Subject: considering all options
	Would anyone care to comment on using 1) an email list serve either as an announcement (one to many) or as a discussion group (many to many) 2) using either Google or Yahoo groups 3) Forum Board tech method. Any of the above seems better then a blog at keeping TimeBank members in the information loop We are currently using Google groups at www.tbmw.org see "News and Chat" in the center right column, and are considering all options. Cheers, Tony
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Manisha Moderator Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Posts: 334 Location/Time Bank: Louisville, Colorado	Dated: Thu Feb 26, 2009 2:04 pm Subject:
	I would recommend Google Groups.
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nryan.toothaker Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 8 Location/Time Bank: Waterville, Maine	Dated: Tue Mar 23, 2010 1:55 pm Subject: We Blog!
	Hello, At the Mid Maine TimeBank (www.midmetimebank.org), we do keep a blog on our homepage that automatically links to our Page on Facebook so that they are both up-to-date regularly. Our TimeBank continues to use many methods of communication including the Community Weaver Alert system, the Blog on our website and our presence on social networking sites including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. By using a combination like this, we ensure that all of our members stay up to date with all of the important information from our TimeBank! Ryan-
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