Do stuff with and for your neighbors

I'm moving to DC. Who wants a seat at the leadership table?

Dear Neighbors,

For the last year, I've been working and commuting back and forth to Washington, D.C. I did not want to leave the neighborhood and city that I love.

In D.C., I've been running a consulting firm that does digital communication and engagement for government agencies (check out one of our recent projects -> http://community.fema.gov.) I've also written a blog post called "How I came to do what I love" which chronicles my community career.

At first the travel was not so bad. But this year I've been commuting on average 3 to 4 weeks per month. I am exhausted. The intensity of travel has led me to conclude that moving to DC is best for both myself and my dog Jenny. So, I'm sad to say it, but I am moving to D.C. tomorrow.

So what is is going to happen to Neighbors for Neighbors?

First, the Board and I are fully committed to support the next round of leadership.

Here is what we envision the next round of leadership looking like:

Option A: You the neighbors run Neighbors for Neighbors
Option B: A nonprofit or business takes over the running Neighbors for Neighbors.
Option C: Something else? Suggest it...

Here is what the board and I need from you and by when:

By Friday 9/9 - We need Volunteer Webmasters to spend 15 minutes per day (about 2 hours per week) to approve members and contribute content via Facebook and Twitter.
By the end of October - We need to have a plan in place on who or what organization is going to take over.

What if no one steps up or no organization wants to take over? We'll shut down this Network on December 31, 2011.

Tell us what you think, share your ideas, and let us know if you are interested by leaving a comment below.

Thanks,

Joseph Porcelli

Tags: Boston, Joseph Porcelli, Leadership, Volunteer, Washington DC

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Comment by Angie VM on September 1, 2011 at 7:03pm: Hi Joe,

You will be missed but I wish you the best in DC. I'm sure Jenny will appreciate being in one place and with you all the time.

As to the Options... I think A would be good but I like Brett's idea too. JP Neighbors for Neighbors and that's it, with some people paying attention to the groups and maybe thinning out all the extra inactive ones.

Comment by Pam Kristan on August 31, 2011 at 11:03am: Joseph, we love you, and wish you the very best wherever you may be. Deep thanks to you for all you've given your neighbors. I, for one, will miss the hotdogs at Halloweenie. Vaya con Dios.

Comment by chris on August 30, 2011 at 8:30pm: Hi Joe - We've met face to face a least twice, and I think you have my cell phone # (exchanged at Canary Square). Great work with this website and best of luck to you in DC

Chris

Comment by Rob on August 30, 2011 at 7:45pm: Dude,

Really good working with you. May you move forward to great things. I got so active in Egleston I had to forgo

Neighbors for neighbors. But I will always remember the basketball court net change, and my garbage group.

Thanks for your hard work and your an inspiration to community active people here and wherever you go. Thanks for making JP congenial.

Comment by Laura Cuozzo Guarnotta on August 30, 2011 at 7:08pm: Hi Joe,

You will be truly missed. Thank you so much for all you've done for our community. I've always appreciated your sound advice and caring for others. Wishing you great success your next endeavor!

Best, Laura

Comment by Lisa Vaas (Moderator) on August 30, 2011 at 5:23pm: I've never had the pleasure of meeting you, Joseph, but I've appreciated all your work on this forum. I could spare 15 minutes/day to help run it. Please let me know how to step in and help out.

Comment by Matt Lau on August 30, 2011 at 4:58pm: Joseph, congrats and great job running this site. I like option A, I'm sure we'd have enough volunteers to help run the site but how do we cover operating costs?

Comment by Carol T on August 30, 2011 at 4:21pm: Hi Joseph. I am so sorry to see you leave but at the same time, I am excited for you. You have been the best Chief Neighbor. Who ever replaces you has big shoes to fill. Best of luck in your new endeavor. You will be missed. God bless and stay safe.

Comment by Brett on August 30, 2011 at 4:09pm: Here's a suggestion for Option C.

A return to what Neighbors For Neighbors used to be a few years ago: A JP-only group that helped connect people to their fellow neighbors and informal interest groups / community organizations Doing Good, via neighborhood socials and bi-annual expos. Every time the subject of NfN comes up with fellow JPers, people mention missing those events and wonder what happened to them.

Thinning the herd of inactive groups would be good, too- there's so many groups on here that haven't seen activity in months or a year, and I think it probably distracts from the groups that are gettin' good stuff done (even if it's only having fun.)