HELPING ONLINE CORONAVIRUS SUPPORT COMMUNITIES TO
CONNECT MORE LOCALLY, BE MORE EFFECTIVE & HAVE A GREATER IMPACT
here's why we're here!
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To bridge the gap between online communities and the people in physical neighbourhoods they want to support.
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To provide resources to existing or potential online community group leaders so they can have a greater impact in 'the real world'
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To create a global community for online community group leaders so they can connect with, support and learn from each other.
So...what brings you here?
The story behind the project
In this interview, Kate Christiansen explains what the CoronaCommunities Project is about and why she started it.
So, you want to join an existing community but may not be sure who to talk to or where to start.
You're in the right place. The CoronaCommunities Project has created a map so you can check to see whether there is a registered Corona Community Group in your area. This updates in real-time so if your neighbourhood isn't there yet, make sure you sign-up for updates.
That's fantastic to hear! Congratulations on taking the initiative to set up a community during this challenging time.
You probably want to reach and have a positive impact on as many people as possible. To do this, people first need to be able to find you. The CoronaCommunities Project enables you to make your online community 'local' by showing people the physical neighbourhood that you serve. And, it doesn't matter whether you have an informal WhatsApp group with 30 people or a private Facebook Group with 5000 people - everyone is welcome.
You can also join the CoronaCommunities Project Online community where you'll connect and share ideas with other community leaders like you. This can help you have an even greater impact on the people you've set out to support.
Excellent! You have an established online community that was set up for something else but you think you could use it to support members during the Coronavirus.
The chances are that Coronavirus conversations are already alive and kicking in your group, even though they are completely unrelated to the group's core purpose. You might be looking for some strategies to help people have constructive Coronavirus conversations, without changing the purpose of the group.
The CoronaCommunities Project enables you to connect with other group leaders who are facing the same challenge. You will also have access to practical resources that you can share in your group. Remember to check-out the CoronaCards. These give some structure without taking the spontaneity out of the conversation.
You want to feel like you're making a difference and focus on doing something positive.
The cool thing about setting up on online neighbourhood to support people during the Coronavirus is that you get to choose how big or how complex you make it. You also get to choose whether you do something simple on WhatsApp or go for a Facebook Group or use SLACK.
The most important thing is that you've thought things through BEFORE you start. That's why now is the perfect time for you to become a member of the CoronaCommunities Project . It's free to join and you will have immediate access to resources that help you think things through and set yourself up to succeed.
Also, the online community will enable you to connect with people who have "been there, done that". You can learn from their successes and mistakes.
You're a member of an existing community and it has untapped potential to support people through the Coronavirus pandemic.
You will find the CoronaCards helpful starting point. These are free to download and you can share them in your online community. Also, sign-up for the CoronaCommunities Project updates because each issue will contain a practical idea you can implement immediately.
One of the biggest impacts you can have is to share the URL of this page with the manager/ owner of your online community.