Rural Information, Practices and Peer Learning Exchange (RIPPLE)
Requested amount from Knight News Challenge:
$300,000Total cost of project including all sources of funding:
$570,000Expected amount of time to complete project:
2 yearsRIPPLE (www.ripplenw.org) offers rural community members the virtual tools to share ideas, find answers, and connect with experts on hosted discussion forums.
We seek $300,000 from the Knight News Challenge award to finish building the RIPPLE site, bring aboard new staff capacity to provide user content and technical assistance, and to develop marketing and revenue building strategies (fee-based or ad sales) so that the site can be self-supporting by 2012.
Our vision for RIPPLE is that it will grow into a strong rural community building network that will become self-supporting. We will reach a more diverse rural audience - youth, Tribal, and Latino communities. We will have the staff to create new and exciting content and to provide live chats and technical assistance as needed.
RIPPLE is a project of Rural Development Initiatives (RDI – www.rdiinc.org). RIPPLE furthers the RDI mission to expand the knowledge, skills and networks of the people we serve by acting as a virtual meeting place and classroom for rural people throughout the northwest.
In order to achieve these outcomes, RIPPLE offers four main features.
• Peer Services Exchange - a searchable database of services and expertise available throughout the network.
• Discussion Forums - rural community development leaders such as Michael Shuman, author of "Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in a Global Age," host discussion forums.
• Stories of Success and Lessons Learned - powerful stories highlighting successful community building initiatives that can be replicated in other communities.
• Information Clearinghouse) - website links provide access to information and best practices.
How will your project improve the way news and information are delivered to geographic communities?
RIPPLE
Rural communities in Oregon are remote, some with 7 and 8 or more hours of driving to reach larger urban centers. RIPPLE is a unique use of technology focused on helping rural communities share news and information, ideas and resources. The idea of applying social networking is not new, but applying it for use in rural communities as RIPPLE does, is unique. The hosted expert discussion forums bring trainers and experts to rural communities rather than requiring people to travel for long distances. The peer services exchange allows skilled community members to share their expertise via RIPPLE and with a searchable database will help rural people find local trained facilitators, or mediators or other experts they need. The stories of success will allow communities to learn from each other and post their successes as well as thier challenges. Communication via RIPPLE will bring rural people in Oregon and other places closer together to learn from each other, find the resources they need and share stories of success.
0 commentsHow is your idea innovative? (New or different from what already exists.)
RIPPLE
RIPPLE uses a variety of digital technologies to deepen engagement within and across rural communities in the northwest. We are building a website utilizing ExpessionEngine content management system. ExpressionEngine's code is open for development.
RIPPLE is unique because it covers a broad range of rural specific issues, relies on its userbase for content, and has a Pacific Northwest focus.
RIPPLE offers people the ability to discuss rural issues interactively and share their expertise and abilities using a peer exchange. We believe these features set RIPPLE apart and make it a unique and groundbreaking use of internet technology.
What experience do you or your organization have to successfully develop this project?
RIPPLE
RIPPLE is a natural and strategic outgrowth of our mission, as well as our past work and current relationships throughout rural Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. RDI's mission is to be a “catalyst for community vitality in rural areas: we work with rural leaders and volunteers to expand the knowledge, skills and networks for building communities that foster opportunity, thrive and endure”. For over fifteen years, RDI has brought training, resources and hope to over 250 rural communities, with a special focus on those with a population under 5,000. RDI brings rural people together, provides technical assistance, leadership training, strategic planning, project development, and other services that help communities succeed in localized and long-lasting ways. Over time, our services have evolved to meet changing needs and opportunities, from community-based strategic planning, to civic leadership skill building, regional economic development, and convenings such as our annual Regards to Rural. Now, building upon RDI’s deep relationships throughout the region, including over 2,000 recently trained community leaders and partnerships with many other organizations, RIPPLE is a vehicle for strengthening direct and efficient connections among rural leaders and organizations. It amplifies the impact of our work, and the potential for effective action by rural community leaders.
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