“In the digital age, community is all about gathering people with shared interests and giving them a platform to interact with each other, to engage in relevant content and to create something new.”

This quote by Beth Comstock, NBC Universal, has been hidden in one of my files; but came back to life while I was thinking about what new role our community think tank called PetalumaNet and its incubator, the Petaluma CyberCity Roundtable might play as we continue to build a stronger community through greater use of computer technology and telecommunications. Both of these ad hoc volunteer groups have helped initiate and institutionalize many innovative “Information & Communication Technology” (ICT) practices in the lives of Petalumans, over the past decade. For example: the first web sites for the City of the Petaluma, the Petaluma School District, the Argus-Courier, and the community portal site called PEN for Petaluma Electronic Network (changed later to Petaluma Community Network) were created by volunteers working together.

That was then, what about now? What are some of the current community needs that are not being addressed by one or more institutions, agencies, or organizations? ICT is “old hat,” most people are not only aware of telecommunications; but they are computer literate. That does not mean that everyone is deriving the maximum benefits of digital applications and problem solving strategies. In-service ICT education will be an on-going endeavor; however, most groups have established IT departments, hired staff, and/or secured ICT consultant services.

One perpetual challenge has been creating and sustaining a network of community benefit organizations (CBOs) that work with one another through varying degrees of cooperation or collaboration. If community benefit groups have learned anything over the past century, it is “no one group can do it alone.” Breaking through organizational cultures and management styles in order to mount a combined effort to meet a community need is easier said than done. In today’s busy world of working, playing, and learning, finding the time and resources necessary for creative projects and programs is increasingly difficult.

Over the next few months, PetalumaNet will attempt to take some of the lessons it has learned over the past dozen years and apply the basic concepts to help “groups” of all kinds to break out of their normal modes of operation and reach out to other groups and individuals, using ICT, as well as face-to-face get-togethers as the means for managing and evaluating creative projects that are created collaboratively. Just as PEN dropped the word “electronic” and replaced it with “community” many years ago, the Petaluma CyberCity Roundtable hopes to use cybertools to encourage existing groups to gather around a community-centered table and create programs that will benefit the greatest number of people in the most effective, efficient, and economical way possible.

Yes, I know, more fancy words and talk; but it can be done if enough people and groups have the will to step up to the plate and walk the walk. This model of community action has been in operation since 1995. Thank you, Beth Comstock! Your words of wisdom have hit the nail on the head.