The document discusses how virtual communities are as real as physical communities. It notes that virtual communities have structures, governance rules, and develop over time similar to physical communities. It also asserts that issues like growth, conflict, and change happen faster in virtual communities compared to physical ones. The document provides a checklist for community success that involves creating structure, establishing standards, and adjusting timelines for the faster pace of virtual communities.

1. Virtual Community
is Really Real
Meredith Gould, PhD
@meredithgould
@HealthFaith

2. My Cred
 Sociologist
 IRL* community membership
 Active participant: #HCSM, #HPM, #MCCSM
 Active “lurker” on Twitter
 Community Manager for @Virtual_Abbey (aka,
Abbess)
*In Real Life
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3. Domain Assumption
All communities
and their cultures
are socially constructed.
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4. Observation #1
Virtual community is real community.
 Structure
 Governance
 Rules of Engagement
 Development
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5. Observation #2
If it occurs in real community,
it will occur in virtual community.
 Growth
 Cliques
 Conflict
 Change
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6. Observation #3
Everything happens Faster
in virtual community.
3:1
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7. Observation #4
Positions and roles established
for real community,
must also be established
for virtual community.
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8. Checklist for Community Success
 Create and maintain structure.
 Establish and sustain standards.
 Adjust timelines.
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9. #1 Barrier to Community Success
Reinventing the wheel . . .
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10. My Coordinates
Meredith Gould, PhD
Email: meredith@meredithgould.com
Website: http://www.meredithgould.com
Twitter: @meredithgould
Twitter: @HealthFaith
Blog: http://healthfaith.com
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@meredithgould