Platform: Facebook
Created in: 2011
Size: 55,000+ members
Based in the small, artsy city in New Mexico, Santa Fe Bulletin Board is a shining example of a local digital public space. Now over 10 years old, the space has grown to more than 55,000 members, making it the largest Facebook group in the city for people from all walks of life. Today, it’s a go-to place for people to ask about everything from lost pets to local recommendations and to discuss local issues. In a recent survey of the members, more than 65% agreed or strongly agreed that the space made their local area a better place to live.
The content in the Santa Fe Bulletin Board is “public” but members need to be approved by a community steward before they can post or comment. Reflecting on the importance and unique role of the space, long time Santa Fean and current admin Johnny G. explains: “I look forward to hearing local news, reviews, events, and gossip [in the space], since our local paper is owned by a NY company and the town is too small for up-to-date news.”
Source: Santa Fe Bulletin Board Facebook Group’s “About this group”
Today, the group is stewarded by an admin team of six people — but the journey to create this space wasn’t linear, and the group has undergone some real transformation over the last couple of years. Johnny explains: “When [the previous admin] ran the group, it was close to being banned by Facebook because of all the violations — members were openly attacking each other and consistently violating Facebook's community guidelines … The group had enough violations that Facebook was already threatening to take it down if the admin team didn't get it under control.”
Thankfully, in the years since, a new group of community stewards has been able to implement and more effectively enforce a new set of guidelines and turn the space around, keeping the Santa Fe Bulletin Board a helpful digital public space for everyone in the local area.
For anyone looking to create a digital public space like Santa Fe Bulletin Board…
Define upfront your space’s reason for being. A clear mission and vision will guide both your team and your members. As the space grows, be prepared to adapt your structure while maintaining core values.
When it comes to rule breakers, Johnny and his fellow admins have a 3-strike rule, but aren’t afraid to deviate from it: sometimes it goes up to five strikes, but other times, depending on the offence, there’s only one strike. Johnny says, “I just sort of know based on some specific comments. To make these sorts of decisions, I created a separate private group / chat just for the admins where we discuss issues within the group.” He explains, “While it's important to listen to your community, avoid being overly rigid. Your members will shape the group's direction, but your initial vision provides a foundation. Balance adaptability with maintaining your community's core principles.”