Sense of Community

(Taken from http://blog.lib.umn.edu/blogosphere/blogs_as_virtual.html)

Sense of community (SOC) has been the focus for face-to-face community researchers for some time. McMillan and Chavis (1986) have the most well-regarded and well-researched conceptualization of SOC. They define SOC as consisting of the following four characteristics:

• Feelings of membership: Feelings of belonging to, and identifying with, the community;
  
• Feelings of influence: Feelings of having influence on, and being influenced by, the community;
  
• Integration and fulfillment of needs: Feelings of being supported by others in the community while also supporting them; and
  
• Shared emotional connection: Feelings of relationships, shared history, and a “spirit” of community.
  

So bloggers is there SOC with the scvs weblog?

Do you feel a sense of belonging with the group? Do you feel that you have had some impact on the blog? Do you feel that it addressed your needs or gave you support? Have you developed a relationship with some or all of the people involved?

If you can answer yes to thses four questions , then at least in your eyes, this is a community, or at least feels like one.