Strategies for Building a Clubhouse Community

Clubhouses are designed to foster the growth of a learning community. Members, Mentors and staff of different ages and cultures share ideas and work together on projects as colleagues. A culturally diverse team of Coordinators and Mentors act as coaches, catalysts and consultants. Across the Clubhouse Network there are opportunities for many kinds of people to meet and understand each other better.

Relationships

The People - The Clubhouse is as much about the relationships that form among the people as it is about the opportunity to use professional tools to express interests. In the Clubhouse at its best, everyone teaches everyone, and everyone learns from everyone. Exposure to adults and other youth in a community of learners, all of whom enjoy exploring, experimenting, designing and expressing themselves with technology, has a powerful influence.

Friendships and Professional Relationships - Mentors and staff are often called on for recommendation letters for college and career opportunities. Clubhouse Alumni are encouraged to keep in touch, and we like to say, "Once a Member, Always a Member". Over time, Member interactions and collaborations with this diverse learning community leads them to gain new perspectives for thinking about the world around them and also new ways of understanding themselves.

Conflict Resolution - Whenever possible, allow your Clubhouse Members to resolve conflicts on their own. But occasionallyit is necessary to help resolve conflicts to keep the Clubhouse environment comfortable and safe. Some steps that can help reduce conflict are:
- De-escalate and defuse.
- Listen, restate, reflect.
- Progress from "It's your problem" to "It's our problem".
- Collaborate to reach Win-Win-solutions.
  - Identify positions and interests.
  - Present and listen.
  - Brainstorm solutions.
  - Eliminate unacceptable solutions.
  - Choose solutions that meet everyone's needs.
  - Make a plan to take action.
  - Take action.

Clubhouse Network Resources

The Computer Clubhouse Website - http://www.computerclubhouse.org serves as the central hub to find Clubhouse locations around the world, to learn the history of the Clubhouse Network's development, and to get the latest updates.

The Computer Clubhouse Village - The Village intranet connects all Clubhouses to the global community of Clubhouses. It helps us to communicate and learn about each other. The Village is set-up to write in multiple languages, and text can be translated throughout the Village.

100 Communities Served - This book highlights the rich diversity of the Computer Clubhouse Network by providing a profile of every Clubhouse community. On May 16, 2005, the 100th Computer Clubhouse opened it doors.

The Computer Clubhouse Calendar - The Computer Clubhouse Calendar is distributed to Clubhouses, community partners, and sponsors around the world, and is a wonderful way to showcase the talent and hard work of Members. Each month of the calendar features an original piece of Clubhouse Member's artwork.

The Annual Conference - This annual gathering is mandatory for all Clubhouse Coordinators, and is open to other host organization staff and certain Clubhouse Network partners. It is an opportunity to share ideas, learn, and build a stronger community. Opportunities abound for Clubhouse Coordinators to lead sessions and share individual expertise. As these conferences are hosted in communities where Clubhouses are present, there is usually an opportunity to see other Clubhouses in person, and to meet youth from other regions.

Regional Workshops - One of the most fascinating things about the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network is the opportunity to meet and interact with people from around the world. Each Clubhouse community is different. There are different resources available, different politics, and different cultures. As such, some of the best support and information sharing comes from Clubhouses nearby each other. This helps Clubhouses to know their neighbors and locate Clubhouse Members in the same time zone.

Regional Calls or Chats - Regions meet regularly by phone or Internet to share ideas, make plans for upcoming events, and discuss successes, issues, and best practices.

Orientation and Training Week - Orientation and Training Week not only trains staff to operate and manage the Clubhouse, but also starts a process of introduction and bonding with Network staff and other Coordinators that continues through the life of the Clubhouse.

The Teen Summit - Clubhouse Members and Coordinators from around the world meet together to share their ideas. This strengthens the Network through collaboration. A majority of the participants typically have never traveled before. All of the participants learn new skills, meet new friends and make lasting memories.

Local Clubhouse Strategies

Local events and resources can help inspirt youth to pursue new projects and help rally everyone aroung the Clubhouse community.

Grand Openings and Clubhouse Anniversary Parties - These events bring together the Clubhouse community with families, friends, Alumni, collaborators, and funders.

Using the Green Table - The Green Table symbolically acts as the "Village Green" in that it is a place for people to gather and share. A "Green Table Talk" invites everyone to join in for a discussion about a predetermined topic.

Newsletters - Newsletters from the Network and individual Clubhouses keep us in touch with the many events and cultures of the Clubhouse community.

Internships, Scholarships and Awards - Internships, scholarships, and awards honor and support Clubhouse Members and Alumni and career. These honors deepen the sense of pride in the Clubhouse community. Archives and Portfolios - Keeping Members' folders archived supports the longevity of the Clubhouse community. When Members come back to visit and find out that their work is still available, feelings of belonging, pride and self-value emerge. Over time each Clubhouse Member's personal computer folder becomes a portfolio of best works and documents development. This body of work can be assembled into a presentation portfolio to show to prospective employers or colleges. Burn CDs of important work, one for the Clubhouse archive and one for the Member to take.

Alumni and Past Mentors - Try to keep connected with Members and Mentors who have moved on. Sharing "Where are they now?" is an inspiration to everyone in the community, and has a positive influence on current Members. Alumni become ambassadors for the Clubhouse in the broader community.

Design Groups - Members and Mentors join informally, around common interests. Groups tend to be dynamic and flexible, evolving to meet the needs of the project and the interests of the participants. Some larger projects come together best with a sign-up sheet and a plan.

Clubhouse Collaborations - Two or more Clubhouses collaborate on group activities such as an overnight CyberSummmit, C2C fieldtrips, local Teen Summits or a collaborative workshop series.

Community Projects - Some Members are especially motivated to create projects to improve life in their community. Grassroots and local initiatives help organize young people to use Clubhouse technology to make a difference in their neighborhoods, expanding out to their communities.

Outside Groups - Joining with another after-school program or community group provides new creative energy and new friendships. Groups may work together on projects such as designing a mural or creating a documentary.