Practicing gratitude means I’ll always feel like there’s enough to sustain me during the coming years. I’m giving thanks because it’s been one helluva ride and I’ve been able to hang on. Just when I thought things were getting organized, all heck broke loose with new Public Health directives resulting in more postponed activities. In September, we put everything on hold preparing for a nasty fourth wave. Now it looks like it might not materialize. My personal concern is around the economic fallout that will manifest over the next few years and how that will affect our low income clients and participants.
With the pivot, I’ve developed more contacts and community partners to advance our strategic direction ie., to develop an online community and subsequently provide services to the new network members. The upfront work is fairly unspectacular. It involves making contact lists and spreadsheets. Nonetheless, we’ve learned what it takes to build a new base and complete our dreaded digital pivot. It can be slow going at times.
Over the winter, my independent research will provide more information about Online Community Engagement, Leadership and Development.
7 Steps for Building an Online Community
- Identify key stakeholders for the online community.
- Redefine the purpose and goal.
- Select community platforms.
- Build a member profile.
- Develop rules and norms.
- Set up the community and link platforms.
- Identify key stakeholders
- Promote your community – Facebook, Twitter, Website, Instagram.
The three main target groups include:
- low income older adults 55+
- program managers, professional services providers and caregivers
- curriculum developers and instructors
The New Horizons for Seniors Project has begun. I’ve launched new online programs through the London Public Library. During January and February 2022, I’ll be teaching through Seniors Learning In Retirement.
After some upheaval, all is good with family members and I’m grateful for each new day.