One of the most important things for any place that will serve as a "community center" (although I realize we ought not to use that term given the recent attention a certain New York City community center has received), is to have buy-in from the community. I think that people making regular contributions is one way this can happen. Another way is to start spreading the word that this place will be opening soon, and that people are welcome to sign up to help in any way possible.
How many times have you seen underneath a big "COMING SOON" banner, a place where you can actively sign up to help? Not often! We could have an active sign up list right at the site, once it is chosen, or - more likely - direct people to a place on the web where they can sign up to be on a volunteer list to help prepare the site (and, of course, to make in-kind or monetary donations). We all know people are excited by new things, and if we hook the right then and there when they can see that something is coming, we should be able to find people who are willing and able to help that we never could have reached out to if we tried.
So, once we find the space, we make a sign, and we make a place on the web for people to stay in touch and receive e-mails about ways to help.
My food for thought of the day.
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