A good thing about much internet activism is ease of participation (slacktivism). Slacktivism can only go so far. As a similar example, this sub has 89 lemmy.ml subscribers, but most users have never commented or posted anything.

We can keep the lurkers/slacktivists, but it might benefit the ‘core team’ to have proper roles? I’m not entirely sure what the roles would be, but it has never been a problem at work to get workers to participate in the bosses schemes. Obviously a $$$ profit motive would be somewhat beneficial, but i’m sure there are volunteer mostly electronic organizations that do better work than pseudoanonymous internet groups. But when i’ve been in vaguely similar internet activists groups like this, we’re lucky if even 2 people/89 subscribers message the mods of a subreddit about a matrix bridge.

  • @morrowind@lemmy.ml
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    2 years ago

    If you want my advice:

    1. Get people to sign up to be an active member (vs. just lurking)
    2. Appoint a couple of people to be in charge.
    3. Figure out specific goals you want to achieve, list them on some public board
    4. Break down those goals, and plan what you’re going to do to achieve them
    5. Act

    Obviously very high level.

  • smallcircles
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    12 years ago

    A general community rule is that of every 100 people about one is really active. If you are lucky about 10 are posting a comment now and then. My experience with Humane Tech Community is that “getting anything done”, especially in this kind of advocacy that Fedivangelism is also in, almost requires a full-time job. Which is nigh impossible to do as volunteers. Having some minimal form of financial compensation for doing the ‘boring work’ that needs to be done in that scenario would likely help. But that’s also a huge step that brings extra formalities and organization requirements.

    (BTW There’s a very early effort at Fediverse Town to investigate an incorporated entity (e.g. a non-profit or cooperative) that might provide such support.)

    What might also be an idea is trying to get a single comprehensive campaign of the ground. “Fedivangelism” is quite broad. With a concrete idea a small group could organize, get to know each other, hold meetings and rally other people. That way you can gauge willingness to action and form a tight-knit group that could the heart of some bigger initiative.

    Just my 2 cts :D

    • @atomicshrimp@lemmy.mlOP
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      12 years ago

      Jitsi/video call meetings could be an asset. I’ve attended other volunteer meetings and some of them, like office meetings, are a waste of time that would be better served through text. Esp bc video calls requires interested parties to be online at the same time.

  • @ttmrichter@lemmy.ml
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    02 years ago

    Pecuniary motivation is largely a negative impact. You’re not likely to be able to compete with actual salaries in actual jobs, so all you do when offering cash is make people put it into the “work” pile and then they’ll be thinking that it’s not paying enough.

    If you want to motivate people in a volunteer arrangement, you have to find a reward that a) people desire, and b) that isn’t money. And one of the most powerful motivators in this realm is recognition and respect. (This is doubly true in technical spheres!)