Community doesn't just happen: It's built slowly, person by person, relationship by relationship. 

I remember the days when you weren't someone's friend unless you'd personally delivered the pizza and ice cream after a break up. What happens to the notion of community when you move it online, and being someone's friend is as easy clicking a mouse? How can a nonprofit balance its own needs with the needs of the community? And where SHOULD you build that community anyway?

These are the questions that Jeff Patrick, President of Common Knowledge, is going to tackle in his session at the 2009 NTC, "Evolution of Online Communities: Social Media for Social Good". We had a chance to talk a little bit about how the online tools have come closer to our idea of what a relationship is, and what that means for the sector:

If you get the chance to take a San Francisco field trip while at the NTC, Jeff, like a few others, can't recommend the Ferry Building enough. In particular, check out the Slanted Door. And I can personally recommend the lotus tea. It's an experience!