Options for Online Discussions

If you're interested in hosting online discussions, there are two kinds of online discussion mechanisms you need to consider -- real-time and asynchronous. "Real-time" means that all the people engaged in discussion are online at the same time and exchanging typed conversation. The most popular and familiar of these mechanisms is "chat", such as offered to members of AOL as a benefit of membership, and on the Internet for anyone to subscribe to, such as ICQ and Ichat .

Other real-time mechanisms are known as " MOOs" and " MUDs " or "MUVR"s --all some sort of multi-user virtual reality. On these systems an online environment is created which attempts to mimic real reality -- a room, a desk, a chair, a plant, a clock, etc.

"Asynchronous" means that members of the discussion group come online at different times and leave messages for each other and respond to messages others leave.

Given the time-zone difficulties inherent in setting up phone and conference calls, real-time communications do not seem to be a feasible option for organizations with geographically dispersed membership. Within the category of asynchronous mechanisms we have a large range of sophistication, from email to virtual "decision rooms".

Asynchronous Communications

• Email: also known as the "killer app" of the Internet -- meaning that it is used by almost everyone with Internet access, offering almost no technological barriers beyond a phone line, a comms program and a basic computer. For the purposes of discussion of specific topics or areas of concern, email users are organized into "mailing list" or "discussion groups." Mailing lists can be highly specific, such as for campaigns and special actions. Or mailing lists can be used for general discussion and/or regionally-based discussion. In general, we find that mailing lists are used initially for the exchange of information rather than for discussion.

• Newsgroups/conferences/forums are an extension of the mailing list concept of providing a focus for discussion. Instead of email arriving in one's mailbox unsolicited, a newsgroup has to be "visited" by the participants. In a newsgroup, topics are organized by date and title, and visitors respond to the topic of interest by "posting" their response to the newsgroup. Newsgroups can be public or private.

  Newsgroups can also be linked to mailing lists, so people can either participate by email or by visiting the newsgroup. The advantage of the newsgroup over a mailing list is that the visitor may view all the active topics on their computer screen at the same time, and choose which to respond to. This makes the discussion more organized, and the thread easier to follow.

• Web-based discussion: Both public and private discussion areas can be found on the Web via mechanisms generically known as 'web conferencing systems'. An example is set up at: Amnesty International's Volunteer Website

• "DecisionRooms" -- these are services offered by companies on the web to facilitate online collaboration. Some are specific to Lotus Notes, and some are generic for all types of Internet/Web software.

  Examples are: Decision Room, E-Room Technology, Inc. or Excite.com's community clubs.

In theory, the Internet is a good way to provide membership level discussion of policy issues. In practice it takes effort and leadership to make the discussion productive. Facilitated discussions don't happen unless someone facilitates them. If discussions are not facilitated, then they tend to be dominated by a few, get off track, follow tangents, and rarely come to clear-cut conclusions. This is true in real-life face-to-face discussions, and just as true online. If the Board is committed to involving the membership in discussions of governance, then they will have to invest some time and effort into leading the discussion, encouraging participation, keeping people on track, making sure all voices are heard, and guiding towards effective conclusions.