In 2015, while driving from DC to Boston and back shoveling out neighbors in need during my (not so famous) #Snowcresade, I realized that, while my efforts were noble, I only addressed the symptom of the more significant problem — neighbor disconnection. Neighbors surrounded every person I shoveled out, but they did not know their neighbors and told me that going door to door and asking for help made them uncomfortable.

This experience is one of the reasons I love working at Nextdoor, as we are solving the problem of neighbor disconnection – one in three households in the US is on Nextdoor.

In addition to connecting neighbors and making neighbors comfortable enough to ask for help, I felt strongly that we needed to productize and normalize this behavior. Thus, the product team added asking for help to our Help Map along with product marketing to drive uptake. 

During winter storms, this is especially true for neighbors who are elderly or have access or functional needs, as getting help shoveling reduces disruptions and stabilizes their lives. Otherwise, they’d be snowed in! The same applies to flooding and all kinds of disasters. 

This week, I had the honor of speaking to Lorraine, a Vietnam veteran based in Lackawaxen, PA, who recently underwent back surgery, restricting her mobility. 

Following heavy snowfall, she posted to Nextdoor’s Help Map, looking for a neighbor who could shovel her deck. Within minutes of posting, Lorraine received a response from her neighbor, Shawn, whom she had never met. Shawn arrived 20 minutes later with his teenage son to get the shoveling job done.

“I was very happy that they did it,” Lorraine told us. “If I need help I’ll do it again.” She said, “I’ve always been self-sufficient, and it is kind of disheartening when you are not, so when you get someone who is willing to help you, right off the bat, no questions asked, it makes you feel really good.”

Lorraine and Shawn’s story is heartwarming, but they’re not alone – neighbors are helping each other all over the county as winter storms dump snow on states across the country. 

If you are in a snowy state and need help or can offer help, open up the Nextdoor app or log into Nextdoor.com and go to Discover > Help Map > and Ask for Help or Offer Help. 

Learn more here: https://nxdr.co/3vwTGZv

#Nextdoor #HelpMap #WinterStorms #StormCrew #NeighborsHelpingNeighbors

Here is what I just posted to my own Nextdoor own neighborhood + nearby neighbors to encourage other neighbors to do the same. Feel free to use this as a starting point for your own neighborhood.

##

Neighbors,

If there is a fire, every second counts so lets’s dig out the fire hydrants.

At 1 pm, I’m going to start shoveling 6th Street at M SW and work my way up to G. If I have any energy left, I’ll do curb cuts, bus stops, and handicap parking spots. If you’d like to join me, meet me out there or give me a ring if you can’t find me at (857) 222-4420.

What street will you do, where will you start, and what time with you meet?

##

Joseph

Below is a checklist of things I recommend you do to make sure you and your family are ready for this winter storm. 

Food and Water: You want to make sure you have enough food and water for the duration of the winter storm, and I’d say a couple of days after as it may take some time for stores to open and inventory to be replenished. Keep in mind, you may lose power, so food that does not require heat to eat such as peanut butter, honey, crackers, fruit, and canned soup (I’d eat it) will keep you nourished. Here are some more pantry suggestions from weather.com. Also, don’t forget to stock up for your pets!

Medicines: Make sure your prescriptions are filled and you have plenty to get you through and past the storm.

Flashlights, batteries, and chargers: The power might go out, and you will want to be able to see in the dark, and be able to make calls to update family and friends that you are OK. Heaven forbid you or someone needs assistance, but you will want to be able to call for help. Let’s also not kid around, you will want to Instagram how high the snow is when you open the front door #nofilter. Don’t forget to get batteries. I’d also make sure your backup chargers are fully charged. My wife never does this, and it drives me crazy! But I digress…

Vehicle: Keep a full tank of gas as this prevents the fuel lines from freezing. If there is a gas shortage following the storm (remember what happened in New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy), a full tank of gas will come in handy. Finally, don’t forget to lift your wipers up off your windshield to prevent them from freezing together. No fun. We also keep a full package of snacks (like Kind bars), water, and extra blankets in our Jeep at all times.

Shoveling: If you know me at all, you know that I want you to shovel out your neighbors. What you may not know is that it is also important to shovel out curb cuts, bus stops, handicap spots, fire hydrants, and when you shovel, you should make a path at least 36 inches wide so your neighbors with mobility challenges and who use wheelchairs can get by safely.

Shoveling can also lead to injury and in some cases death. Make sure you are healthy enough to shovel. If you are not sure, consult your doctor. If you do shovel, go slow, take it one scoop at a time. In a winter storm like Jonas, when the snow gets deep, I keep my scoops to three inches or less per scoop. It may feel like it takes longer, but throwing out your back will take a month longer to recover. Take breaks and drink plenty of water.

Keep an eye out for large accumulations of snow on top of the roof of your house. The weight can cause roofs to collapse. Most people probably shouldn’t be climbing on top of their houses to clear it off, but they might want to pay someone to do it.

I also recommend you post to your Nextdoor neighborhood to let your neighbors know you are willing to help them shovel out and to see if other neighbors are willing to help you shovel out bus stops, fire hydrants and curb cuts, which often get plowed in. Plus, shoveling is more fun with neighbors! You of course should also check out Snowcrew.org to see if there are others not yet on Nextdoor who need help shoveling.

Laundry and infants: In my friend Liz’s own words …”Do all the laundry, especially the baby laundry, NOW!  If your power gets cut, you’re stuck if you don’t have clean clothes, blankies, burp cloths, etc.  Don’t leave a big load in the hamper.” Thanks Liz, will do.

Speaking of infants and clean cloths, here is a super cute picture of my daughter to break up all this text. You are welcome!

Flushing: If you lose power, you can still flush your toilet but you will need water. Fill your tub with water, so you don’t run out!

If you have some extra time to prepare, below is an exhaustive list of tips the Red Cross offers for remaining safe during the storm:

• Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or other local news channels for critical information on snowstorms and blizzards from the National Weather Service (NWS).
• Bring pets/companion animals inside during winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas and make sure that their access to food and water is not blocked by snow drifts, ice or other obstacles. (Cities like DC will fine you.)
• Running water, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside and kept clear.
• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst. (Sometimes utility companies or local gov agencies have programs to waive, finance, or somehow help with additional energy expenses during extreme weather.)
• Go to a designated public shelter if your home loses power or heat during periods of extreme cold.
• Avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow or dense fog. If travel is necessary, keep a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle.
• Before tackling strenuous tasks in cold temperatures, consider your physical condition, the weather factors and the nature of the task.
• Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in several layers. Stay indoors, if possible.
• Help people who require special assistance such as elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and children.

Caution: Carbon Monoxide Kills

• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning device inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
• The primary hazards to avoid when using alternate sources for electricity, heating or cooking are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock and fire.
• Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide.
• If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door.
• Call for help from a fresh air location and remain there until emergency personnel arrive to assist you.

Also be sure to see FEMA’s extensive winter weather prep guide.

My #Snowcrew plan for the Winter 2015 season is pretty simple: 1) I am going continue to promote Snowcrew and 2) I am going to encourage people to use Nextdoor.com, the free and private social network for neighborhood (where I know work) to let their neighbors know they need help or are willing to help shovel.

The awesome folks at SeeClickFix who built and run Snowcrew.org, have made even more enhancements for this season. Thank you. Ben, Daniel and Caroline!

For those of you new to SnowCrew, here is what you need to know!

What is Snowcrew?

Snowcrew.org is a mobile optimized web app that connects people who need help shoveling with nearby neighbors “Yetis/Volunteers” who can and want to help dig out their neighbors after snowstorms.

Where does it work? Everywhere!

How does it work?

Each time it snows, thos who needs help shoveling log into www.snowcrew.org and request “Shoveling Assistance.” Those who have signed up to help get notified that a neighbor (s) needs help. They can also “scout” to see who needs help via Snowcrew.org on their mobile phone or device of choice.

“Yeti’s” shovel out people who are not physically able to shovel or cannot afford to hire someone to dig them out.

How can you get involved?

• Go to snowcrew.org and create a profile to volunteer or request shoveling assistance
• Help us spread the word by RTing our tweets and sharing our facebook updates.
• Share this post to your networks
• Shovel out cars parked in and empty handicap parking spots
• Check in our neighbors who are elderly and have disabilities

What difference to Snowcrew Make?

For the elderly and people with disabilities, snowstorms can mean being trapped at home unable to get to work, to the food store, to the pharmacy, or have the mail delivered. It can mean that for days, you’re stuck alone in your home fearful of what might happen and that the stability of your health and life might be compromised.

• Snowcrew helps keep people healthy and financially sound –  When shoveled out, people can get to work, the pharmacy, the food store, and to medical appointments. Social security checks, medications, and medical equipment are delivered.
• Snowcrew increases resilience – When communities are connected and in service to each other they are stronger and better poised to prevent, respond to, and overcome challenges and disasters.
• Snowcrew eases the burden on government – Citizens who have time and wish to pitch in dig out public property such as fire hydrants, handicap ramps and curb cuts, and bus stops that increase accessibility and improve quality of life.
• Snowcrew fosters connection – Those who request and give shoveling assistance enjoy new connections, friendships, and experiences.

Who do people who have been helped by snowcrew say?

• “I’m blown away; I have never received help like this from strangers before, and I’m honored to now call them my neighbors. So my deepest and heartfelt thanks goes out to all of you”. Nancy, Hardyston NJ who was trapped in her home for 4 days following a storm in February 2014.
• “Just wanted to thank you and Bob for helping me as a neighbor to clear my car so I could make it to my doctor’s appt. It made an important difference”. Marcia, Jamaica Plain, MA Feburary 2014
• “Someone came to help! thank you!” Michelle, Lincroft NJ February 2014

How did Snowcrew Get Started?

Snowcrew got started in 2009 when I realized one my widowed elderly neighbors might be stuck in her home during huge storm we had. The first version of Snowcrew used a Google map and a Google form. After I learned about former Mayor Cory Booker digging out his constituents after receiving a constituent tweet, I wanted to see if I could build on former Mayor Booker’s success by using technology to allow neighbors to engage each other online to get shoveled out simultaneously and in multiple cities and towns at the same time. Today, Snowcrew.org accomplishes this goal!

What technology powers Snowcrew?

SeeClickFix built and operates Snowcrew.org and via it’s API powers the “shovel request” submittal, “scout” mapping, watch area notifications, commenting and case management system.

About Joseph Porcelli:

I am a Professional Neighbors. By day, I am a Senior City Strategist at Nextdoor.com where I help local government organization leverage the power of Technology and neighbors to create, safer, stronger, and more resilient neighborhoods and cities.

About Nextdoor.com:

Nextdoor,  being used by over 49,000 neighborhoods around the US, is the free and private social network for the neighborhood. Neighbors use Nextdoor every day to make their lives better in the real work. Nextdoor’s mission is to recreate the sense of community among neighbors and build safer and stronger neighborhoods. For more information about Nextdoor or to sign up, go to Nextdoor.com.

Get in touch:

Email me at my first dot last name at gmail.com
Call me at (857) 222-4420
You can also tweet at me @JosephPorcelli

Below are 11 inspiring and powerful quotes he shared about and for the people of Newark that really resonate with me:

• We already have all we need to make a difference
• We can believe in Newark when we believe in ourselves
• Empower yourself by being informed, and asking critical questions
• Nothing positive is achieved without struggle
• We must face the future candidly and without fear
• Progress is being made and will continue to be made
• Peoples art is what ignites the certainty of our words
• Poetry, music and dance to exhibit the human spirit
• We need a university for community organizing
• The most revolutionary thing that can happen in Newark is for adults to sit with other adults and help them improve their reading and computing skills to prepare them for tomorrow’s jobs
• Recognize people with love

As I was preparing for the panel yesterday evening, I wanted offer the neighborhood leaders who would be attending, some principles to aid the important work they have chosen to take on in their neighborhoods. I wanted to put the principles in an inspiring context – and so I borrowed inspiration from one of my favorite old school house tracks titled “Brighter Days” by Cajmere and Dajae.

What I came up with I am calling “The 4 Foundational Principles of Empowering Your Neighbors.” It is based on the principals of connecting, communicating, taking action, and celebrating.

Take a look, I’d love to know what you think!

I’ve update it as this past August marked the 10th anniversary of when I began organizing in neighborhoods. Now that I’ve joined the outstanding team at Nextdoor and dissolved Neighbors for Neighbors, I wanted to give myself the gift of taking time to look back, reflect, and bring closure to both the professional work and volunteer service I’ve done for the last 10 years under the umbrella of Neighbors For Neighbors.

This post is a chronological journey of the progression of my career as professional neighbor. As I stated earlier, it was originally written to help me land a job in 2011, so it’s heavy on accomplishments and reads like a resume. I’ve added some narration to improve its readability. I am aware it could use more narration and restructuring, but this post is for me.

If you have questions or want share your thoughts, I welcome your comments.

My mother once said to me “follow your dreams and the universe will reveal your path.” I have followed my dreams, and the universe has revealed my path. My path has not always been easy. I’ve stumbled, fallen, wept, and gotten lost more times than I care to share, but everything has worked out, and it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

By staying in action and utilizing the strategies I shared below, my life and career have unfolded in ways I never imagined.

Your neighbor,

Joseph

My story:

I did not come to be a professional neighbor as a result of a grand plan or promotions within organizations where I’ve worked. Rather, I came to be a professional neighbor as a result of strategies I developed and employed in support of my vision of connected and empowered neighbors collaborating amongst themselves and with those who serve them towards common objectives.

Consistently these strategies have made it possible for me not only to do what I love but also to work on progressively larger scales, expanding the impact of my work from my immediate neighbors 10 years ago in Boston to the entire nation.

The strategies:

1. Expand established professional roles to encompass more than is required or expected.
2. Build teams and develop organizing models supported by social platforms to empower citizens and civil servants to connect, communicate, and collaborate on their own time and around common objectives.
3. Engage influential individuals and leverage these relationships in support of my vision.

The following details illuminate how my career has progressed as a result of those strategies:

 2011 – 2006 – On The Verge, Inc. Braintree, MA     
As the Senior Associate, my role was to sell, consult, implement, train, and support work groups to leverage the ACT! contact management solution to manage relationships effectively with the goal of increasing sales and service delivery. (***This sentence feel too long and loaded with a lot of info.  Maybe making two sentences would work better)

I created a robust project management system to track the various stages of project life cycles, refined client management techniques to ensure satisfaction and maximize upsell opportunities, and developed an engaging training curriculum to ensure that my clients were empowered to succeed.

The result: I built a powerful referral network of satisfied clients and partners who in turn helped me to fulfill my revenue goals.

2004 to August, 2014 – Neighbors for Neighbors, Inc., Boston, MA. Founder and Chief Executive Neighbor

As the founder and volunteer Chief Executive Neighbor, I directed a volunteer led community organizing group. Our mission was to connect and empower people who wish to do stuff with and for their neighbors, and to formulate resources to empower them to take action.

We envisioned neighborhoods where neighbors know the names of their neighbors and those who serve them, are safe and happy, have access to shared resources, and feel motivated to proactively contribute to each other’s quality of life.

August 2004 – After two neighbors were robbed at gunpoint near a subway station, I distributed 500 fliers informing the community about what was happening in our neighborhood and inviting them to a community meeting with the police to discuss what we could do about crime prevention on a neighborhood level. At that meeting sixty people came to learn what we as a community could do to protect ourselves. “Neighbors who know each other are more likely to look out for one another”, said one of the police officers who attended that meeting and whose words have continued to guide my work. At the end of the meeting I asked what neighbors felt the next step should be, and they suggested a neighborhood social where we could meet more of our neighbors. So we did. Ninety people came; thus, NFN was born.

After coordinating a few more neighborhood socials I again asked what our next step should be.  They responded, “Let’s organize a meeting where we form groups that keep us together over time.” We did. Over the next two years each of our “Community Organizing Expos” was attended by over 250 neighbors.

June 2006 – I taught myself how to engage the media and Neighbors for Neighbors began to have a major presence in the press. In a Boston Globe article titled “Mighty Neighborly: Social theory comes to life as communities fight crime”, Thomas Sander, Executive Director of the Saguaro Seminar for Civic Engagement at Harvard stated, “What they’ve figured out how to do… is how to keep people together after the threat is gone.” Not only were we able to figure out how to stay connected as a community, but our network of neighbors also continued to grow. This is what eventually led to my employment with the Boston Police Department.

2006 to 2008 – Boston Police Department, Neighborhood Crime Watch Unit, Boston, MA. Program Coordinator

After seeing what my neighbors and I had accomplished, I happily accepted an invitation to be compensated monetarily for what I had loved to do in my free time. I was able to empower neighbors citywide to deter crime by increasing their connection to one another and the police in a fun and social way. My day-to-day duties required me to organize, promote, and attend up to three neighborhood meetings a week. Each year I attended around 250 such meetings, built their first Contact Management Database system, e-newsletter, blog, and eventually, the first-ever law enforcement-sponsored neighborhood social-network to allow neighbors and police officers to connect and communicate without me needing to be involved.

2007-2008 – I was able to double the number of new groups the unit started each year, increased annual event fundraising from a $5,000 to $30,000, and grew event participation from ten thousand to over fifty thousand people. In the pilot neighborhood where I developed what became known as the Coalition Organizing Model, the result was a 16% decrease in Part-1 crime over 12 months.

This role was my first foray into a position that allowed me to combine my passion for community organizing, empowering the community and facilitating government-to-citizen collaboration through social platforms.

2007 – The Nametag Project: US, Canada, and the UK. Founder and Nametag Evangelist 
Keeping in mind that neighbors who know each other are more likely to look out for each other, I embarked on an experiment to see if wearing a nametag would encourage just that. So I vowed to wear a nametag for all of 2007, and founded The Nametag Project.

Summer 2007 –  I pitched an idea to the Superintendent of the Bureau of Field Services at Boston Police: Nametag Day at Fenway Park. We handed out 10,000 nametags at Fenway Park during a Red Sox game with the help of 150 volunteers. By December of 2007, nearly 20,000 people had joined me in wearing nametags, and we received press coverage from The Boston Globe, National and Boston CBS and FOX Affiliates, NECN, The Hallmark Channel, The Miami Herald, and Vermont Public Radio.

August 2008 to March 2009 – Be the Change Inc./ServiceNation, Cambridge, MA. Director of Online Operations and Partnerships

Emily Cherniak, Alan Khazie’s Chief of Staff, whom I had met a year prior called and said, “Joseph, we need your help now. McCain and Obama will be at our Summit in New York City in three weeks, and our online presence is in shambles. Can you help us?” I quickly triaged their needs and focused my efforts on working with their vendor to complete their website before the summit. After establishing and maintaining their online presence, I was asked to go to New York for the summit to oversee their online operations. During the summit, I managed all content-capture, publishing, blogger relations, and live-streaming of the event on their website. When I returned home from New York they officially hired me as their Director of Online Operations & Partnerships.

Over the next six months of the campaign, I directed and managed the development of ServiceNation.org through two more development iterations, including preparation for a massive surge in site traffic due to a possible Presidential “Call to Service”. I helped coordinate online service pledges between the White House, Facebook, and the Corporation for National and Community Service and coalition partners for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I also directed online operations for our seven official Presidential Inaugural events including a live broadcast with MTV at the Youth Ball.

January 2009 – Following the Presidential Inauguration and the passage of the Edward M. Kennedy Service Act of 2009, the needs of the organization changed and my position was dissolved. I took this opportunity to reinvest in Neighbors for Neighbors.

2009 to May 2010m- Neighbors For Neighbors 2.0 Given the success of the Neighbors for Neighbors network in Jamaica Plain, I decided to take a risk and simultaneously build online social-networks and teams for every neighborhood in the City of Boston to empower a wider audience of neighbors and attempt to secure funding. Gina Bianchini, the CEO of the Ning.com (the social networking platform that powered NFN) whom I had come to know, spoke about NFN at the Personal Democracy Forum in 2009. One of the audience members, Laurel Ruma from O’Reilly Media, emailed me and encouraged me to present for the upcoming Gov 2.0 Expo.

On August 6th, 2009, I participated in the New Prosperity Initiatives community dialogue, “Building Community Online and Offline” at City Year. The transcript from my talk really capture the spirt of my work with Neighbors for Neighbors..

September 2009 – At the O’Reilly Media Gov. 2.0 Expo I demonstrated how Neighbors for Neighbors served as a powerful example of Gov 2.0 in action, how it expedites government and citizen communication and collaboration to solve problems. At the expo, I networked and brainstormed with a great group of fellow innovators including Steve Reseller from GovLoop.com with whom I  continue to collaborate.    *****NOT SURE IF YOU MEAN THIS TO BE IN THE PAST OR PRESENT

Related Videos:

• My Presentation
• Government as a partner Panel Discussion

September 2009 – Velocity Saloon  When Gina Bianchini was unable to attend CEO’s for Cities Velocity Saloon (Grand Rapids, MI), I was asked to attend on her behalf. The goal of this event was to help Envision the “Good Life” in American cities. This experience was invaluable to me. As the event unfolded, I got the distinct impression that just as thoughtful design and architecture are critical for cities to thrive, so is online social infrastructure, and the ability to communicate/collaborate with one’s local government.

October 2009 – City of Boston and Neighbors for Neighbors Announces Official Partnership   On October 24, 2009, Mayor Thomas Menino, Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis, and I announced the Official Partnership between Neighbors for Neighbors and the City of Boston.

December 2009 – Blue Print For Service   Steven Rivelis, President of Campaign Consultations and former colleague from my work with Be The Change/ServiceNation, asked me to serve as Expert Facilitator for the Cities of Service Blue Print for Change Service Citizen Engagement workshops.  In this role, I helped attendees to think out-of-the-box to empower citizens to create solutions for Steven’s client the Corporation for National and Community Service.

May 2010 – Ford Hall Forum I was asked to help put together and present a panel titled “The Emerging ‘Fifth Estate’: Can the likes of Twitter, YouTube, and other social networks help solve real government problems?” at the Ford Hall Forum which is the longest running public lecture series in our nation’s history.

Through my work on Neighbors for Neighbors, I established enough of a reputation as an innovator in government-to-citizen engagement that the Department of Homeland Security learned of my efforts.

May 2010 to January 2011 – U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC. Community Engagement Strategist, Contractor   Reporting to the White House Liaison and the Assistant Commissioner of Public Affairs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, I served as the department’s first Community Engagement Strategist. My role was to manage DHS’s first social network Our Border and support the integration of social media into U.S. Customs and Border Protection public engagement programs, pilots, and campaigns.

February 2011 to April 2014 – GovDelivery/GovLoop, Washington DC, Director of Engagement Services. 

Upon recognizing the demand for professional services to support digital government initiatives, I stood up and directed GovDelivery’s professional services practice in partnership with Scott Burns the CEO of GovDelivery and Steve Ressler the President of GovLoop.com (GovDelivery’s sister company).

The practice focused on building communities and activating members to serve as force multipliers on behalf our clients’ mission objectives. In this role, I built, tested, and demonstrated the viability of offerings, processes, frameworks, and systems. In addition, I led strategy, directed and managed the team.

In 2013, in partnership with Account Executives, drove 120% growth in services revenue, exceeding the target by 24%. The demonstrated success of this practice has influenced and is now woven into the company’s operations.

The work that I am proud of the most was done for Ready.gov. My team and I dreamed up The National Preparedness Community (Community.FEMA.gov). The purpose of the community is to help American’s connect, collaborate, and empower each other to fulfill their shared responsibility to prepare themselves and their peers through year-round, ongoing engagement and participation in National Preparedness Month. In 2012 and 2013, we grew the community to 42,500+ members who coordinated thousands of preparedness events engaging millions of Americans. As a result of my teams success GovDelivery was awarded the contract to support America’s PrepareAthon!

SnowCrew 2010 – Present   Snowcrew is a community project I started in 2010 to connect people who need help shoveling with nearby neighbors who can and want to help them dig out after snowstorms. In Feb 2014, Snowcrew.org launched a web app powered by the SeeClickFix API.

During the winter of 2013-2014 Snowcrew got a lot of media attention as the east coast got clobbered with snowstorm after snowstorm. By the end of March 2014, Snowcrew had 1,400 users of which about 300 were the ones asking for help shoveling.

To promote Snowcrew.org, I went on a #SnowCrewSade in mid-February and drove from Washington DC to the Long Branch NJ and back to dig out those who had not yet been dug out. To my surprise, I found that each of those who requested help shoveling was surrounded by multiple neighbors. It struck my that Snowcrew was not addressing the root problem of people being disconnected but only addressing one of the symptoms. I recognized this need and choose to get back into the neighboring game.

May 2014 to Present – Nextdoor.com, Washington DC, Senior City Strategist and Professional Neighbor.

Nextdoor is my dream come true.

Nextdoor’s leadership and team have made my dream of providing critical online civic infrastructure for all neighborhoods a reality.

Nextdoor.com is the free and private social network for neighborhoods that is available for the entire United States and is being used over 30% of US neighborhoods. On Nextdoor, residents can talk about everyday personal things like finding a great babysitter or locating a lost pet to more critical matters like communicating about a rash of break-ins in the area.

As a Senior City Strategist, I am responsible for helping our government partners leverage our platform to engage and partners with our members to create safer, stronger, and more resilient neighborhoods. As Nextdoor’s Professional Neighbor, I tell stories, serve as a thought leader, and think about ways we can help our members and partners get even more value out of our platform.

Summary

As a professional neighbor, I’ve spent the last ten years of my life developing online and offline models that help neighbors and those who serve them connect, communicate, and collaborate to create safer, stronger, and more resilient neighborhoods. Thanks to Nextdoor, I now get to spend all my time doing what I love most; working to re-weave the social fabric of neighborhoods at national scale.

My career as a professional neighbor has been propelled by the collective actions I’ve taken beyond the defined responsibilities of my professional roles and has been invigorated by social entrepreneurial initiatives I’ve founded and led. The wonderful network of people I developed relationships with have made critical introductions, amplified the reach of my vision, and they have brought me on to their teams where my work neighboring now has a national impact.

I believe the well-being of society depends on the diversity and the strength of bonds we have with people closest to us. My experience has shown me that our neighborhoods are strongest, and we are happiest when we are connected in communication, and in service to each other.

I envision spending the next ten years of my life expanding the ways in which neighbors may want to, and will need to, be of service to each other.

Snowcrew.org Founder Seeks to Inspire People to Shovel Out Neighbors in Need

Hamilton NJ: 2/16/2014: Yesterday, Joseph Porcelli of Washington DC, drove 250 miles on a #Snowcrewsade to shovel out neighbors in need who requested shoveling assistance through the website  Snowcrew.org.  Joseph made two stops yesterday, one in Columbia MD and another in Northeast Philadelphia. Today, beginning at 10 am, Joseph will continue his #Snowcrewsade digging out an elderly woman in Somerset NJ who cannot has been climbing up a pile of snow to get her mail and another elderly woman in Longbranch NJ who cannot get to her car.

Joseph will be shoveling at the following locations and times:

• 10 am: 48 15th St in Franklin NJ – Snowcrew case – http://seeclickfix.com/users/373886
• Noon: 51 Bath Ave in Longbranch NJ  -Snowcrew case http://seeclickfix.com/issues/938296
• Other locations as shoveling assistance requests come in

Throughout the day, Joseph will be live tweeting as @JosephPorcelli and posting stories to facebook.com/snowcrew.org where you can also learn about the two women Joseph shoveled out yesterday.

What is Snowcrew?

Snowcrew.org is a mobile optimized web app that connects people who need help shoveling with nearby neighbors “Yetis/Volunteers” who can and want to help dig out their neighbors after snowstorms.

Where does it work? Everywhere!

How does it work?

Each time it snows, whomever needs help shoveling log into www.snowcrew.org and request “Shoveling Assistance.” Those who have signed up to help get notified that a neighbor (s) needs help. They can also “scout” to see who needs help via Snowcrew.org on their mobile phone or device of choice.

“Yeti’s” shovel out people who are not physically able to shovel or cannot afford to hire someone to dig them out.

How can you get involved?

• Go to snowcrew.org and create a profile to volunteer or request shoveling assistance
• Help us spread the word by RTing our tweets and sharing our facebook updates.
• Share this post to your networks
• Shovel out cars parked in and empty handicap parking spots
• Check in our neighbors who are elderly and have disabilities

What difference to Snowcrew Make?

For the elderly and people with disabilities, snowstorms can mean being trapped at home unable to get to work, to the food store, to the pharmacy, or have the mail delivered. It can mean that for days, you’re stuck alone in your home fearful of what might happen and that the stability of your health and life might be compromised.

• Snowcrew helps keep people healthy and financially sound –  When shoveled out, people can get to work, the pharmacy, the food store, and to medical appointments. Social security checks, medications and medical equipment are delivered.
• Snowcrew increases resilience – When communities are connected and in service to each other they are stronger and better poised to prevent, respond to, and overcome challenges and disasters.
• Snowcrew eases the burden on government – Citizens who have time and wish to pitch in dig out publicproperty such as fire hydrants, handicap ramps and curb cuts, and bus stops that increase accessibility and improve quality of life.
• Snowcrew fosters connection – Those who request and give shoveling assistance enjoy new connections,friendships, and experiences.

Who do people who have been helped by snowcrew say?

• “I’m blown away; I have never received help like this from strangers before, and I’m honored to now call them my neighbors. So my deepest and heartfelt thanks goes out to all of you”. Nancy, Hardyston NJ who was trapped in her home for 4 days following a storm in February 2014.
• “Just wanted to thank you and Bob for helping me as a neighbor to clear my car so I could make it to my doctor’s appt. It made an important difference”. Marcia, Jamaica Plain, MA Feburary 2014
• “Someone came to help! thank you!” Michelle, Lincroft NJ February 2014

How did Snowcrew Get Started?

Snowcrew got started in 2009 when I realized one my widowed elderly neighbors might be stuck in her home during huge storm we had. The first version of Snowcrew used a Google map and a Google form. After I learned about former Mayor Cory Booker digging out his constituents after receiving a constituent tweet, I wanted to see if I could build on former Mayor Booker’s success by using technology to allow neighbors to engage each other online to get shoveled out simultaneously and in multiple cities and towns at the same time. Today, Snowcrew.org accomplishes this goal!

What technology powers Snowcrew?

Two leaders in government digital communication and Open Government power the Snowcrew.org solution. SeeClickFix built and operates Snowcrew.org and via it’s API powers the “shovel request” submittal, “scout” mapping, watch area notifications, commenting and case management system. For neighborhoods where municipalities and community partners wish to formally adopt Snowcrew or are clients of GovDelivery, GovDelivery provides neighborhood and municipality specific automated emails and text message notifications when shoveling assistance requests are submitted.

About Joseph Porcelli:

Joseph serves as the Director of Engagement Services at GovDelivery where he leads the team that builds digital communities and gets people to take action accelerating engagement for priority government programs and campaigns. Highlights of their projects include FEMA’s National Preparedness Community found online at http://community.fema.gov and the Digital Engagement Crime Prevention program for Stearns County MN that in 2013 increased crime tips submitted to the county by 533%. In his free time, Joseph voluntarily leads organizing efforts for Snowcrew.

Would like like to help dig out neighbors in need of assistance?

If so, then snowcrew.org is for you!

What is Snowcrew?

Snowcrew.org a mobile optimized web app that connects people who need help shoveling with nearby neighbors “Yetis/Volunteers” who can and want to help dig out their neighbors.

Where does it work? Everywhere!

How does it work?

Each time it snows, whomever needs help shoveling log into www.snowcrew.org and request “Shoveling Assistance.” Those who have signed up to help get notified that a neighbor (s) needs help. They can also “scout” to see who needs help via Snowcrew.org on their mobile phone or device of choice.

“Yeti’s” shovel out people who are not physically able to shovel or cannot afford to hire someone to dig them out.

How can you get involved?

• Go to snowcrew.org and create a profile to volunteer or request shoveling assistance
• Help us spread the word by RTing our tweets and sharing our facebook updates.
• Share this post to your networks
• Shovel out cars parked in and empty handicap parking spots
• Check in our neighbors who are elderly and have disabilities

What difference to Snowcrew Make?

For the elderly and people with disabilities, snowstorms can mean being trapped at home unable to get to work, to the food store, to the pharmacy, or have the mail delivered. It can mean that for days, you’re stuck alone in your home fearful of what might happen and that the stability of your health and life might be compromised.

• Snowcrew helps keep people healthy and financially sound –  When shoveled out, people can get to work, the pharmacy, the food store, and to medical appointments. Social security checks, medications and medical equipment are delivered.
• Snowcrew increases resilience – When communities are connected and in service to each other they are stronger and better poised to prevent, respond to, and overcome challenges and disasters.
• Snowcrew eases the burden on government – Citizens who have time and wish to pitch in dig out publicproperty such as fire hydrants, handicap ramps and curb cuts, and bus stops that increase accessibility and improve quality of life.
• Snowcrew fosters connection – Those who request and give shoveling assistance enjoy new connections,friendships, and experiences.

Who do people who have been helped by snowcrew say?

• “I’m blown away; I have never received help like this from strangers before, and I’m honored to now call them my neighbors. So my deepest and heartfelt thanks goes out to all of you”. Nancy, Hardyston NJ who was trapped in her home for 4 days following a storm in February 2014.
• “Just wanted to thank you and Bob for helping me as a neighbor to clear my car so I could make it to my doctor’s appt. It made an important difference”. Marcia, Jamaica Plain, MA Feburary 2014
• “Someone came to help! thank you!” Michelle, Lincroft NJ February 2014

How did Snowcrew Get Started?

Snowcrew got started in 2009 when I realized one my widowed elderly neighbors might be stuck in her home during huge storm we had. The first version of Snowcrew used a Google map and a Google form. After I learned about former Mayor Cory Booker digging out his constituents after receiving a constituent tweet, I wanted to see if I could build on former Mayor Booker’s success by using technology to allow neighbors to engage each other online to get shoveled out simultaneously and in multiple cities and towns at the same time. Today, Snowcrew.org accomplishes this goal!

What technology powers Snowcrew?

Snowcrew.org was developed by the generous and neighbors team at SeeClickFix.com and is powered by their API.

Thanks,

Joseph Porcelli – Founder and Volunter Oganizer

My challenge I don’t yet have any community partners in that area to help with outreach and drive volunteers to sign up to be notified when someone submits a Shovel Request.

Before I do, I need at least 300 volunteers. To sign up to volunteer and notified when a neighbor inBuffalo or Erie County NY need shoveling assistance click “Sign up to help” on the SnowCrew page on NeighborsForNeighbors.org —>http://neighborsforneighbors.org/page/snowcrew

To help me reach this goal, I need need you to share this post with everyone you know in Buffalo and Erie County NY. I need you to call TV and Radio stations and ask them to interview me. It would also be awesome if you could connect me with to community organizations and large corporations who can enroll lots of people to sign up to help.

Below is a video I made you can share.

Thanks so much,

Joseph Porcelli
@JosephPorcelli
857-222-4420