What would you add to this list.....?
NOTE: These are "tips" not "rules".
-------------------------------------------------------- How to Effectively Participate in a Local Issues Forum --------------------------------------------------------
Everyone participates in a Local Issues Forum for a reason. Whether their goal is to advocate for a particular project or simply to keep informed about what is happening in their community, they usually have a purpose for subscribing to the forum. Whatever your particular purpose for participating, its worth thinking about how to make the most effective use of the time you spend reading and posting messages to the forum. Here are some tips, that will help you make better use of your time and get better results:
1. Short messages are the most effective. While it can be tempting, particularly on a complex issue you feel strongly about, to lay out a lengthy detailed argument of your position; in practice, a brief, on-point, messages is much more likely to be read and responded to. When trying to sort through a number of messages, participants will often feel overwhelmed by a long, dense message and move quickly on to a more straightforward and targeted message.
2. When possible, speak from personal experience rather than from ideology. Talking about your personal experiences in dealing with an issue creates for more compelling and persuasive reading that is easier for people to connect to. It also reinforces the "local" impact of the issue and makes it more likely people will respond in a constructive way even if they don't agree with you.
3. "Listen" and don't be afraid to ask a question. When you participate in a Local Issues Forum, try to think of yourself as engaging in a dialogue rather than a debate. In addition to stating your opinions, ask questions to try and understand others' views. People are more likely to pay attention to your point of view, if they see that you are willing to listen to others and incorporate new ideas or facts into your perspective.
4. It's o.k. to delete messages and not read them. Don't feel that you need to read every message, every day. Having a busy day? Delete. The topic doesn't interest you? Delete. Some messages look interesting, but others don't? Delete. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you should use the Issues Forum in a way that works for you and fits with your schedule. It is always o.k. to "take a break" and delete messages without reading them and then resume your participation when your schedule permits.
5) Whenever possible, add information to the discussion. Local Issues Forums are dependant upon participants to share information when they have it. The quality and value of the discussions go up dramatically, when individuals take the time, to share what they KNOW about a topic at hand. Discussions based upon rumor and speculation, are a source of frustration for everyone and damage the credibility of the forum. Its up to every participant, to help raise the quality of forum discussions by sharing facts and information, when they are available.
6) Never post when you are angry: One of the advantages of an online discussion is that it takes place over time. You have the luxury of being able to think about your response, before issuing it. If something in the forum really gets you angry, wait an hour or two before responding. Your much less likely to post something that you'll later regret. If you feel an immediate urge to respond, write your reply right away, but hold it an hour before hitting the send button. Reread it one last time and make necessary changes at that time. Most often, you'll find yourself making major changes or even deleting the message entirely.
7) Always reread your post before sending: It always a good idea to read back through a post one final time before sending it. You will often catch mistakes or refine your ideas, usually for the better. Unlike a verbal discussion, you leave a permanent record of your comments to in an online forum, make sure that you are going to be comfortable with the record that you are leaving.
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Tim Erickson [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hamline Midway
-- ================================================= Tim Erickson http://www.politalk.com St. Paul, MN - USA 651-643-0722 [EMAIL PROTECTED] iChat/AIM: stpaultim =================================================
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