2005-06-25 Newletter #1: Together we can build it

I want to thank everyone who has registered with Communicate or Die community so far. I have been very pleased with the response and feedback. Although we're still in our early infancy, the CoD community is already beginning to coo with discussions and ideas on how to build a better, stronger labor movement by leveraging the power of the Internet. And even with minimal search engine ranking and outreach, we have attracted 17 members in 21 days (see http://www.communicateordie.com/members for a full listing of members) from all across the country. That means this time next year we'll have right around 365 members.

I think one reason for the site's early success is that its title resonates well with visitors who stumble upon the site. More than just a catchy slogan, "Communicate or Die" is a clarion call for folks who are frustrated with labor's lack of vision for leveraging the true power of the Internet. They recognize a resource like "Communicate or Die" is badly needed to help foster and develop ideas for stengthening the labor movement.

Of course, it takes more than a good name to build a community. And it also takes more than one person. Few people will visit CoD regularly if the only one posting ideas is me. CoD's aim is to provide a space for a collective brain trust of individuals and ideas that labor unions can tap into and benefit from. The more individuals the CoD community attracts and the more they share, the more the labor movement benefits.

So here's what it all boils down to: Your assistance and guidance is needed to build the "Communicate or Die" community. Here's four concrete recommendations for action:

1) Post a blog item. Come share your ideas with your brothers and sisters. Your topic can be as broad as how unions can best leverage the power of the Internet to something as erudite as why OPML technology is the next best thing since sliced swiss cheese. Or you can take things from a user's perspective: What experiences and fustrations have you had using the Internet?

Creating a blog is easy. First, make sure you are logged in and then fill out the simple blog form at http://www.communicateordie.com/node/add/blog.

2) Tell a friend about "Communicate or Die." Nothing sells like word of mouth. Take a few moments to write e-mails to anyone who you think might be interested in joining our community.

3) Place a link to "Communicate or Die" on your web site. Even if it's not in a prominent place, a link into our site will help boost its search engine ranking and make it more likely that people will find it.

4) Share your ideas on how to attract members. Let's pool our knowledge. Go to http://www.communicateordie.com/node/51 to join this discussion.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I look forward to working with all of you.

In Solidarity,
Steve