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North Loop Plan Wiki - Home Page
North Loop Plan – Wiki Pilot Introduction & Expectations
Welcome to the North Loop Plan Wiki Pilot! In this introductory piece we will give you a brief background on the wiki; why and how we’re using it for this process; and we will set the ground rules and expectations for its use.
BACKGROUND
For those who are unfamiliar with a wiki, its definition comes from the Hawaiian language – meaning “fast” or “quick.” It has also been said it is an acronym for “What I Know Is…” A Wiki is defined as: “a collaborative web site comprised of the perpetual collective work of many authors. Similar to a blog in structure and logic, a wiki allows anyone to edit, delete or modify content that has been placed on the Web site using a browser interface, including the work of previous authors. In contrast, a blog, typically authored by an individual, does not allow visitors to change the original posted material; only add comments to the original content.”
The most well-known version of a wiki is Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia. This wiki pilot is being endorsed and hosted by the North Loop Neighborhood Association. It is being tested as a supplement to the City of Minneapolis’ existing public engagement process, and while also endorsed by the City, it remains a separate entity.
WHY ARE WE USING THIS TOOL?
The intention behind piloting a wiki in this small area planning process is to attempt to bolster and more deeply engage the citizenry in a new and unique form of public participation. We see this as a possibility to enhance public participation in a variety of forums city-wide. This process has been tested briefly in 2008 with a chapter of the new Minneapolis Plan For Sustainable Growth. That success was noticed and adopted by the City of Afton, MN; Melbourne, Australia, and San Jose, CA. We want to build off our original idea and continue to enhance ways in which the public can engage in shaping the place they live. Ultimately, we are promoting new ways of education and awareness.
Ivan Illich said: “As people become dependent on the expert knowledge of professionals they lose faith in their own capacity to act.”
We want you to use this forum. Have faith to act! Showcase your own unique brand of expertise and insight and help us create a stronger, more relevant; thoughtful and appropriate plan for how the North Loop Neighborhood should continue to grow.
HOW ARE WE USING THIS TOOL?
Now for the nitty-gritty – how the heck does this thing work? How should I use it?
PROCEDURE & GROUND-RULES
Welcome to the North Loop Plan Wiki Pilot! In this introductory piece we will give you a brief background on the wiki; why and how we’re using it for this process; and we will set the ground rules and expectations for its use.
BACKGROUND
For those who are unfamiliar with a wiki, its definition comes from the Hawaiian language – meaning “fast” or “quick.” It has also been said it is an acronym for “What I Know Is…” A Wiki is defined as: “a collaborative web site comprised of the perpetual collective work of many authors. Similar to a blog in structure and logic, a wiki allows anyone to edit, delete or modify content that has been placed on the Web site using a browser interface, including the work of previous authors. In contrast, a blog, typically authored by an individual, does not allow visitors to change the original posted material; only add comments to the original content.”
The most well-known version of a wiki is Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia. This wiki pilot is being endorsed and hosted by the North Loop Neighborhood Association. It is being tested as a supplement to the City of Minneapolis’ existing public engagement process, and while also endorsed by the City, it remains a separate entity.
WHY ARE WE USING THIS TOOL?
The intention behind piloting a wiki in this small area planning process is to attempt to bolster and more deeply engage the citizenry in a new and unique form of public participation. We see this as a possibility to enhance public participation in a variety of forums city-wide. This process has been tested briefly in 2008 with a chapter of the new Minneapolis Plan For Sustainable Growth. That success was noticed and adopted by the City of Afton, MN; Melbourne, Australia, and San Jose, CA. We want to build off our original idea and continue to enhance ways in which the public can engage in shaping the place they live. Ultimately, we are promoting new ways of education and awareness.
- LET’S CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
- PRO-ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT
- YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT
- PRODUCTIVE CIVIL DISCOURSE
- YOUNGER GENERATIONS – WHAT DO YOU THINK?
- RECLAIM YOUR EXPERTISE
Ivan Illich said: “As people become dependent on the expert knowledge of professionals they lose faith in their own capacity to act.”
We want you to use this forum. Have faith to act! Showcase your own unique brand of expertise and insight and help us create a stronger, more relevant; thoughtful and appropriate plan for how the North Loop Neighborhood should continue to grow.
HOW ARE WE USING THIS TOOL?
Now for the nitty-gritty – how the heck does this thing work? How should I use it?
PROCEDURE & GROUND-RULES
On December 7th, 2009 a draft of the North Loop Plan document will be posted here to the wiki for your consideration. Thus begins the typical 45 day public comment period, and your opportunity to shape the conversation.
b. No personal attacks/sniping. We are here to begin a new era of public discourse – one where we can engage in constructive and creative conversations, not destructive ones. To that end, we request that you write only about the issue/challenge at hand, not individuals.
c. Open forum – anyone can participate. We welcome thoughts from across the street and across the world. There might be someone in NE Mpls, South St. Paul, or possibly Copenhagen, who has a really great idea that could be applicable here – why should they be excluded?
d. Moderators. Moderators or city planning staff may also participate – they have ideas too. Perhaps they can help clarify a question, or offer insight that helps guide the discussion. They must be welcomed and engaged as an equal and effective part of the community, just as you are.
e. End Date. There will be an end date for this process. This end date will be 45 days after the draft is released for public comment. After that point, the wiki document will be frozen and its contents reviewed in the same way that all other public commentary for planning projects is reviewed.
f. Maybe You’re “IN,” Maybe You’re “OUT” We want to ensure we are being clear when we say that all changes made to the wiki may not be used. Do not be disappointed or angered should some of your contributions not be adopted – that is part of any collaborative creative process. Alternately – you can and should have a strong sense of ownership and recognition when you see a sentence of yours, or perhaps an idea or two, that has managed to gain the support of your peers and the city staff. You have – within this civil and collaborative framework – been recognized for the strength of your contribution, the value of your ideas, and the skills of your trade. Embrace this and be proud that you have helped shape your neighborhood and your city in a more positive way.
g. Have Fun! Most of all – have fun with this. Challenge yourselves to see what heights you can take this forum to? What flashes of brilliance and insight are possible when you corral the expertise of such an amazing group of people? Only you have the answers….
CONCLUSION
In the end, we understand that this is a “new” technology. We understand it may take some getting used to.
As Machiavelli said: “There is nothing more difficult than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.”
We thank you, in advance, for trying your hand at it and attempting to “continue the conversation” into the 21st Century.
- The wiki will remain active for the entire 45-day public comment period, ending January 20th, 2010. It will act as simply another format through which to engage public opinion.
- As a participant, during this time you may physically come to this site and edit the draft document. Yes – you can actually change the document. You can rewrite paragraphs, change sentences, enhance ideas or offer your own. During this time, you can have online discussions with other users about the topics at hand, you can read about best practices elsewhere in the world; namely, you can educate yourselves as you contribute. All these options are found directly on this website.
- HOME PAGE: This page shows the most up-to-date version of document (all edits from all members are incorporated into this version).
- CHAPTERS: In the upper left corner of the page will be chapter listings. You may click on the section that most interests you to explore that chapter.
- MAPS/REFERENCE PAGE - CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/north_loop.asp
- CHANGES:
- If you want to see the latest version with markup, go to the bottom of the Home Page and you will see a box with the person who made the most recent change. Inside that box click the "complete changes" link, then the link "view changes from previous version". You will now be viewing the latest version, but also it will be showing the last edits made.
- If you want to see what individuals have done, go to the "Members" tab at the top of the Home Page. You will see icons of all site members. Choose one. Once in that person's profile, click the "Contributions" tab at the top of their profile, then you can see a record of all the changes that person has made and when, click "view changes from previous version" and that will show you just that persons changes from the version prior to their edits.
- EXPECTATIONS & ONLINE BEHAVIOR
b. No personal attacks/sniping. We are here to begin a new era of public discourse – one where we can engage in constructive and creative conversations, not destructive ones. To that end, we request that you write only about the issue/challenge at hand, not individuals.
c. Open forum – anyone can participate. We welcome thoughts from across the street and across the world. There might be someone in NE Mpls, South St. Paul, or possibly Copenhagen, who has a really great idea that could be applicable here – why should they be excluded?
d. Moderators. Moderators or city planning staff may also participate – they have ideas too. Perhaps they can help clarify a question, or offer insight that helps guide the discussion. They must be welcomed and engaged as an equal and effective part of the community, just as you are.
e. End Date. There will be an end date for this process. This end date will be 45 days after the draft is released for public comment. After that point, the wiki document will be frozen and its contents reviewed in the same way that all other public commentary for planning projects is reviewed.
f. Maybe You’re “IN,” Maybe You’re “OUT” We want to ensure we are being clear when we say that all changes made to the wiki may not be used. Do not be disappointed or angered should some of your contributions not be adopted – that is part of any collaborative creative process. Alternately – you can and should have a strong sense of ownership and recognition when you see a sentence of yours, or perhaps an idea or two, that has managed to gain the support of your peers and the city staff. You have – within this civil and collaborative framework – been recognized for the strength of your contribution, the value of your ideas, and the skills of your trade. Embrace this and be proud that you have helped shape your neighborhood and your city in a more positive way.
g. Have Fun! Most of all – have fun with this. Challenge yourselves to see what heights you can take this forum to? What flashes of brilliance and insight are possible when you corral the expertise of such an amazing group of people? Only you have the answers….
CONCLUSION
In the end, we understand that this is a “new” technology. We understand it may take some getting used to.
As Machiavelli said: “There is nothing more difficult than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.”
We thank you, in advance, for trying your hand at it and attempting to “continue the conversation” into the 21st Century.
DMotzenbecker |
Latest page update: made by DMotzenbecker
, Dec 7 2009, 5:57 PM EST
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