SFTech4Good is a group founded in 2006 that discusses the intersection of technology and social good. It has grown from 1,600 to over 3,800 members. The organizer provides tips for keeping groups engaged around a shared mission or cause, which include being consistently involved in and listening to the community, using personal networks to spread the word, experimenting with new ideas, sharing content for remote participation, and empowering online community members.

1. Cultivating Community:
How to Build an Active and Engaged Group
Regina Walton
SFTech4Good, organizer, and
Marketing Director, Pole To Win International
@ReginaWalton on Twitter

2. What is SFTech4Good?
Founded in 2006 is the first Netsquared group. We
meet to discuss the intersection of tech and social
good.
• I’ve been an organizer since 2011
• Grown from 1600 members to over 3,800

3. SFTech4Good
• One venue to over ten:

4. Netsquared - sponsored by
“NetSquared gathers together nonprofits and
activists, tech leaders and funders, and
everyone who's interested in using
technology for social change.”

5. 501 Tech Clubs - sponsored by
“501 Tech Clubs are informal, local groups of
nonprofit techies that get together for regular
in-person gatherings”

6. The Netsquared groups and 501 Tech Clubs
have similar missions, so we merged in
2013 and changed our name from
SFNetSquared to SFTech4Good.

8. Tips for keeping a group engaged
around an idea or cause.

10. • Be involved
Align yourself with a mission you're vested in.

12. • Be consistent

14. • Listen and pay attention

16. • Use your personal network to grow your
community and spread the word

18. • Experiment
Be open to change and churn; it happens

20. • Share and repurpose
“Give members who can't attend a way to participate
from afar - Livestream, Hashtag(s) for the event,
Storify afterward.
Definitely post photos that people can share and tag
afterward.” – @Amy Vernon

23. • Steal and share great ideas
• Other events and Meetups
• Social posts: Twitter, Facebook,
Instagram, etc.

24. .

25. “Know that there are some online community members
who are never going to come offline. And that's fine.
There also are some offline community members who
will never be active (though they'll be paying attention)
online. Accept that.” – Amy Vernon

26. “Nurture those online community members who are
really into what you're doing. Empower them as
leaders and give them responsibility that they're
interested in/willing to take on.” – Amy Vernon

27. Thanks, Amy!
Find out more about her company,
Predictably: http://www.predictable.ly/,
and check out her site: http://www.amyvernon.net

28. Any questions or comments?