AGENDA

2:30 pm   Welcome remarks from Peggy and Bowo

A brief history of WiserEarth and the Editors' Group

2:45 pm   Introductions

In attendance: Peggy, Angus, Bowo, Deborah, Mike, Honore, Timonie, Frank, Kerry, Bedy, Roger, Eric

3:15 pm   Reflections on WiserEarth by Peggy and Bowo

See Powerpoint here (2.4 MB)

3:40 pm   Open table discussion

We all shared our concerns, thoughts, ideas for the future: see copies of all the comments here.

4:00 pm   Break

4:15 pm   Open table discussion

Details below

5:45 pm    What’s next & closing remarks

6:00 pm   Break and four-square!

6:45 pm   Food / networking (~ 8:30pm )

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4PM OPEN DISCUSSION
For fast skimming, check the major subtopics! The group discussion topics were selected before the break by Editors, by way of Post-It Note.

Points and questions we discussed are listed below. Not all views were shared by all participants.

WE Role of Editors

Major subtopics: condensing titles, working based on passion, role of Editors' group page, defining tasks more concretely, mundane tasks, barriers to entry, renaming group

•    We may need to streamline the role of Editors and merge some of the many titles.

•    Hardly any editors are visiting the WE Editors Page, so what is the purpose of that page? Is it a working group or a page to bring visibility for new potential editors?
•    Better communication: internal messaging system is not working out. Should we consider a listserv? Are Editors receiving internal messages? Is there a way to reply to those internal messages without having to log in to WiserEarth each time?
•    Watch list is too overwhelming.
•    Role of Editors: Monitoring content under a specific topic (that an editor is interested in) sounds more appealing. How do we figure out the AoFs that drive the most activity on WiserEarth?

•    Some Editors are not sure what being an Editor means.
•    For the site to work, Editors need to be involved, even in the more mundane tasks such as flagging spammers, editing new org profiles...

•    Should there be a call for volunteers specifically to monitor spam? Some people love to do this.
•    What is the role of AoF Editors?
•    Suggestion to merge AoF group with Editors.

•    Is the Editor role really the role we have been discussing? It does not feel like the right terminology: are we more like Facilitators?

Recruitment
Major subtopics: quality vs. quantity, recruiting from outside, level of experience required, clarify roles/solve issues before further recruitment, powers of editors

•    Quantity/Quality: we currently have 42 editors, around 25% of them are active

•    Do we need to actively recruit them or find those who are already active on the site?

•    The most effective Editors are already self-motivated.
•    Go outside of WiserEarth and look for leaders in their field. Encourage them to showcase their knowledge and events on WiserEarth (Deborah has tried to invite and it is too complex at the moment)

•    Define/finalize Editor roles more concretely before recruiting new Editors.
•    Is the bar too high to join the Editors Community?
•    We do not want to have just anyone join, we want a certain level of experience and knowledge of WiserEarth...
•    The rules of acceptance feel dry rather than inspirational.
•    Do we need all the editors to have the same “power” in terms of being able to moderate spam, etc? Do some not want or need that capability?

Technical Issues

Major subtopics: ease of use, communication, info-sharing, content-adding, connections/networks, mentors/training, empty groups/finding activity, joining, legibility

•    Adding information: it is challenging to add multiple organizations as a batch
•    Adding an event, selection of time and AoF is difficult
•    Lack of interactivity: there is no way to see the active stuff on WiserEarth
•    Be able to join easily
•    Groups: shorter click process for active users who want to go to their active groups (my group drop down)
•    Font is too small
•    Greater connection among people, groups, organizations based on keywords
•    When I go to an event, where are the people?
•    Copying and pasting on wikipages is not easy
•    Importing from a mailing list or emails should be easier
•    Welcoming: on Second Life, there is an angel (a volunteer mentor) welcoming you and showing you around
•    Watch list: too overwhelming, too much
•    Want information that I am interested in to come to me, linked more closely to e-mail

•    Posting and sharing: Sharing info from outside to within WE and within WE back out should be easier
•    Dead groups: what can we do about these? Can we remove them from view so people do not become discouraged?

Note on technical issues: Honore and Angus will actively solicit Editor feedback in site design and processes, and welcome Editor participation in focus studies and user testing.

Engagement of WiserEarth Editors

Major subtopics: passions, simplification, weekly task

•    Would be great to have a "Weekly Task" from Bowo

•    Editors want timely and bite-sized tasks, simplified, sent via message.

•    Let’s focus on the key strength: what are the editors’ passions? Can we build upon those, have each editor working actively on their favorite area, networking and adding content?

Further thoughts to ponder

Major subtopics: rewards, inactivity, training, monitoring hotspots, defining success, editors in foreign languages

•    What to do with inactive Editors?

•    How do we want to reward Editors?

•    How can Editors monitor "hotspots" or activity on site, then report them to rest of the community?

•    How should we deal with Editors in other languages (localization of Editor's role)?

•    What are some training tools/tutorials that Editors would want to use? Videos, simplified FAQs, messaged tips, etc?

•    How can we encourage greater participation: from a looky-loo to a buyer, in real estate terms?

•    Fun connects and inspires people. How do we encourage fun, both on WiserEarth and within the Editors' Group?

•    How do we define success in the Editors' Group?

Your thoughts? We want to hear from you!