You may already be active in many Facebook groups. Connecting with neighbors and local services through social networks surged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Wildflower Lake Neighbors Facebook Page was introduced to the Sun City community during the pandemic by one of Sun City residents, Mark Schinler.
What gave him the idea to form a group page for Sun City residents?
Schinler said, “In the beginning, there was one Facebook group for Sun City residents. It was created and administered by an individual who was using the group and its members as potential customers or leads for his business. The group was not private, meaning that anyone on Facebook could see all member names and every comment made. The group also was not limited to Sun City residents only; anyone could join the group. I felt that those two issues put our community at significant risk for exploitation.”
How did he decide on the name?
Schinler said, “That’s a great question! Initially, the thought was to name the group after the community itself but there was a concern that it might violate copyright issues. Wildflower Lake Neighbors of Huntley was chosen because the lake is such a prominent and central feature in our community.”
Even though millions of dollars are spent on community engagement and outreach throughout cities every year, for most neighborhoods, engagement doesn’t happen in a community meeting. The real action is on Facebook.
What is the purpose of this Facebook group?
Schinler said, “Connections, communication, community. The group was created specifically so that neighbors can do neighborly things in a private and safe online environment.”
Darlene Rutledge, a member of the group, said, “I love it because we give and get tips for finding services we need for our homes, cars, doctors, stylists, etc. We can get a good laugh at many posts or be in awe of beautiful photos taken around our community. It makes us feel like a community with new friends we haven’t met yet!”
Lisa Ann said, “It’s fantastic! It keeps you informed on events not only going on in Del Webb but in our local community as well. I love asking for specific recommendations for goods and services. People share their insight on topics, and it’s interesting reading about their different perspectives on a wide variety of subjects. We can share news, celebrations, successes, and even unfortunately sad news. I enjoy this group because we are connected and we can help each other out.”
What are some of the rules and restrictions?
Schinler said, “All members of the group including administrators must be residents of the community. Be Kind! Be Kind! Be Kind! And no politics.
Cindy Ptak, one of the site administrators said, “No politics was a struggle during election season.”
During Facebook’s Communities Summit, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that more than 1.8 billion people were engaging with Groups at least once a month on the social network, with more than 70 million group admins and moderators putting in unpaid hours to manage them.
How do you moderate the Facebook Page?
Schinler said, “There rarely is a day that I don’t check in to take the pulse of the group. I try to read every comment every day. If the conversation is particularly light, I’ll post open-ended questions or polls that elicit feedback, such as the ‘get to know your neighbors’ feature. Facebook has tools for administrators that alert us if certain defined keywords have been mentioned or if a member flags a post for violating group rules. We also get alerts when new members ask to join. We verify residency by matching their name to the SCCAH member directory.”
Stacey Walgreen-Magnusson, a new resident said, “Moving in last July during the pandemic has helped me to feel part of the community. It’s my go-to page when I have questions. I love it!”
New to Sun City also, Sandy Denk said, “We’ve lived here since January 2020. Then the lockdown. This page makes me feel like I’m getting to know neighbors even though we have to keep our distance! I especially like that this group is only Sun City residents as it gives info for Huntley and this community. I love seeing the beautiful photos, too.”
How many members initially and now?
Schinler said, “In the beginning, it was just Cindy Ptak and me. She had been wintering out of state and heading home at the time. We messaged frequently setting up the parameters of what we were trying to accomplish in the group. We were very busy in the beginning verifying residencies as friends and neighbors learned about the group. There are over 900 friends and neighbors that share in the experience. We are growing every week.”
Nanci Whelan said, “I agree that it’s a wonderful group of people sharing all kinds of information, tips, things to make you laugh and brighten your day. This is where sometimes we hear first about new restaurants and stores that are opening or closing. How lucky are we to live in such a beautiful community with people sharing beautiful photos of sunrise and sunset and everything around us? We are sometimes able to live through others when they share their travels and adventures and it also encourages you to try something new or to continue on your journey. Love our community.”
To join the group, just look for Wildflower Lake Neighbors in Huntley on Facebook.
