Be it a virtual or real-world community, there are many ways you can help make your community a better place, including:
- volunteer when volunteers are needed - in the real world, you could possibly help to repair a neighbors car; in a virtual community, you could help someone learn their way around the site or help them in a Q&A task.
- spread warmth and cheer - in the real community, you could drop by a new neighbors house with a hot welcoming Apple pie; in a virtual community you could spread good news and gather the community in a group effort to deliver congratulations or kudos.
- help keep the community clean - in a real community, you'd want your lawn to look nice and clean, help keep the streets clean of trash, etc.; in a virtual community like Answers.com, you could help keep the site clean by editing Q&A's, categorizing them correctly, and polishing up the answers.
- take pride in your community - when you love your community and participate as an active and committed member, the pride will come naturally.
- greet new-comers, show them around, introduce them to other members (or neighbors)
- in a real community, you may drop in at the neighbor's for coffee; in a virtual community, you may drop by your "neighbor's" message board for a chat while drinking your morning coffee at your computer, or converse via email, IM, etc.
- What other ways can you help to make your community a better place?
