What could this idea change?
More people can contribute at suitable times and through accessible formats while the discussion remains structured, safe and connected to action.
M-T1-DA-14 · Theme 1
Digital Community Forum
Creates a bounded, moderated online space where residents can exchange evidence and experience on a defined local question, producing a neutral synthesis and owned next steps.
Where this idea came from
- Playbook entry
- M-T1-DA-14 · Digital Community Forum
- Theme
- Theme 1: Attraction & Visibility · Subtheme DA: Digital Attraction
- Source material
- Existing checked Theme 1 guide
- Linked playbook entry
- M-T1-DA-14 · Digital Community Forum
Could this work in our club?
- Residents, subject contributors, service organisations and civic stakeholders unable or unwilling to join an in-person forum. Use when a clearly scoped community question benefits from deliberation over several days or weeks.
Before you start
- A civic-neutrality charter, scope, participation rules, moderation matrix and escalation pathway.
- An accessible secure platform with privacy settings, pseudonym policy, export, retention and abuse controls.
- A balanced evidence brief and a published route from contributions to synthesis, referral or decision.
At the end: Give participants the accessible synthesis and action register, answer data or moderation requests within the stated timeframe and close or archive the forum under the published rule.
Before your club says yes
Does the idea fit?
Talk with the people it is meant to serve and check that the need is real.
Who can say yes?
Name the person or group that can approve the work, spending and any safety arrangements.
Are people protected?
Check privacy, consent and safety. Collect only the information you genuinely need.
Can everyone take part?
Check the language, format, place, technology and cost for barriers.
Are the facts and permissions right?
Check names, claims, images, quotations, partner references and Rotary branding.
How will we learn?
Note where things stand now, check in at 30, 60 and 90 days, and decide what to do next.
Worksheets for your club
Open them online, print them or change them to suit the way your club works.
Communications and content planner
Use this worksheet to prepare clear messages and check the facts, permissions and approval before sharing them.
Open worksheetWorkflow and minimum-data register
Use this worksheet to map each step and keep only the information the club genuinely needs.
Open worksheetFacilitation and conversation guide
Use this worksheet to hold a respectful conversation, hear different views and tell people what happens next.
Open worksheet