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Building a community

Module 2 – Session 6 – Activity 2

Every Citizen Science project has its roots in the community that supports and contributes to the project. In this activity, participants will reflect on the motivations of researchers and volunteers and how to build a community based on these motivations. Participants will learn about different approaches to building a community and find out for themselves which approach they would like to take. The activity is suitable for researchers and citizens in a group or individual learning setting. Session #1 and #2 should be carried out beforehand.

The participants examined their own motivations and anticipated those of their volunteers. On this basis, they wrote an introductory text to recruit volunteers. The participants also reflected and collected opportunities on how and where they can recruit volunteers and what opportunities there are to keep in touch with them.

Materials needed

Duration and setting

  • Setting: Single or group work
  • Execution: 60 minutes

Process description – what has to be done

Step 1 – Map motivations (10 minutes)

Take a sheet of paper and give it the title “Motivation map”. Divide the paper into three sections. Name the left-hand section “I”, the middle section “Shared” and the right-hand section “Volunteers”.

In the three columns, enter what motivates you or the volunteers to take part in the project. In the middle section, enter the motivation that you and the volunteers share. There are multiple options for motivation of volunteers. Some can be:

  • Interest in theme or topic
  • Monetary reward
  • Contributing to scientific research
  • Benefit for career
  • Desire to help
  • Personal growth
  • Values
  • Sharing existing knowledge with others
  • Social recognition
  • Engaging in a community
  • Fun and enjoyment
  • Possibilities to learn

Step 2 – Describe volunteers’ tasks (30 minutes)

Take a few minutes to watch some of the project presentation videos on SciStarter’s “How To Videos for Citizen Scientists” playlist to get an idea of how to explain a project to volunteers:https://yewtu.be/playlist?list=PLwA1sbEnQNrMd1i6Lpk8lzC7OLU8HFPf9

You can also use these examples as a guide:

Now write a short introduction for your volunteers. Use your motivation map to address all relevant motivations. Imagine you have set up your project website and you are now writing the content for the “Get Involved” page, which gives participants a brief overview of the project and their contribution. Insert:

  • Who are you?
  • Brief description of the project and the reason for carrying out the project.
  • Why is the project relevant?
  • Who can participate?
  • What is the task of the volunteers?
  • What is the timeframe for the project?
  • What are the requirements?
  • How much time do the volunteers have to invest?

Further tips: https://participatorysciences.org/2020/04/14/engaging-volunteers-online/. Keep in mind to use plain language (Session #4, Activity 4).

Step 3 – Strategy for acquisition and community building (20 minutes)

Take a new sheet of paper and create 3 sections with the following headlines:

  • Who to reach?
  • How to reach?
  • How to interact and update?

Start by describing the people you would like to recruit as volunteers for the project.

  • Who are these people?
  • What qualifies them to participate in the project?
  • What do they do?
  • Where do they come from?

Next enter options how you can reach these people to join your project:

  • Local options (organizations, meetings places, municipal institutions,…)
  • Online options (websites, Social Media, Groups,…)

Finally, specify the options for interacting with the volunteers and keeping them informed about the project.

Update your project plan now if you have come across new tasks during this activity.

Learning Outcomes – which skills are addressed?

The participants examined their own motivations and anticipated those of their volunteers. On this basis, they wrote an introductory text to recruit volunteers. The participants also reflected and collected opportunities on how and where they can recruit volunteers and what opportunities there are to keep in touch with them.

How do you check the outcomes are reached?

The participants listed their motivations, wrote a recruitment text and drew up a rough plan of how they want to recruit volunteers and stay in contact with them.

De-Briefing questions

  • Do you feel that the group of potential volunteers is well defined?
  • How confident are you of recruiting enough volunteers?

References – further information

 

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Managing expectation
Creating a safe space for volunters
Who do we need?
Create a rough project plan
Next steps after preparation
projektplanEin Citizen-Science-Projekt planen: Vom Ende her denken!