Hey Neighbors!

My name is Joseph Porcelli and I am the Founder and Chief Executive Neighbor of Neighbors for Neighbors, Inc and I’d like to personally welcome you to our networks. 

Our neighborhood-centric social networks serve as a soundboard for voices and a springboard for action.

We built these networks because we saw a need and felt compelled by what we’ve accomplished in Jamaica Plain where we got our start, to share this online tool that drives offline engagement with the rest of our neighbors accross the city.

This has not been an easy task, but thanks to our army of volunteers, our wonderful present and past board, our friends at City Hall, BPD, and OneIn3 and the folks at Ning, we’ve  pulled it off – and with out funding.

Our networks connect you to your neighbors and resources as well as help you discover common interests and issues and organize around them.

The idea for this network came from the organizing I did in Jamaica Plain where Neighbors for Neighbors got started in 2004, and my work as an organizer for Boston Police. All the effort and time I had to spend in each neighborhood to get a new initiative off the ground seemed wasteful and unnecessary. I wanted to be able to go to one place, find out who was doing what, find the connectors and go. I also found time and time again that everyone wants to make a difference – they just need to be offered a chance to do so – or a place to transform their ideas into action. That’s why we’ve built these networks!

Mayor Thomas Menino wisely reminds the community that we need to work together. Now each neighborhood has a place to go to work on what ever inspires them to take action.

As a collaborative workspace, the network serves as the in-between of you, your neighbors, community groups, neighborhood associations, elected officials and civil servants, public agencies, and anyone who lives, work, and plays in your neighborhood.

The success of these networks depend on you using them – please blog, post events, participate in the forums, start and join groups, post videos, photos, and music, and give us feedback on what’s working and what’s not.

Do keep in mind that the network are a work in progress and will change and evolve over time. You, the community, are the leaders – tell us how we can support you!

Also, we are working hard at finding a technology that accurately translates texts into other languages. We hope to have this process completed ASAP – if you have a suggestion please leave a comment. 

I am hoping you’ll be inspired and want to contribute to the possibilities the network will provide your neighborhood.

Below are the roles we hope will appeal to you. For each neighborhood we need two lead organizers and a handful of network advocates.
 
The lead organizers … 
- Conducts Neighborhood Assessment – who are the assets and what are the gaps.
- Develops Strategic Relationships – with connectors and key stakeholders.
- Builds the team of Network Advocates – to support day to day operations.

Network Advocates…. 
- Newsletter Editors: Send the good. 
- Community Reporters: Discover and share. 
- Community Managers: Welcome and guide. 

If you’re interested in learning more information about these roles, please join the network advocate group for your network.

I look forward to meeting you and seeing what you create and the difference you will make. 

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Joseph Porcelli – 857-222-4420 – jporcelli@neighborsforneighbors.org 
www.neighborsforneighbors.org – twitter.com/neighbortweet
www.josephporcelli.com – twitter.com/josephporcelli