This presentation explores the use of virtual worlds by local government and the process through which a local government would launch a virtual world site. This slideshow was presented at the Federal Consortium of Virtual Worlds Conference 2010 (FCVW)

2. Introductions Pam Broviak City Engineer/Asst. Director of Public Works City of Geneva, IL Co-founder of several online groups: MuniGov, Be2Camp, Public Works Group Manager of Grid Works, online magazine, & GovGrid, virtual grid for govt.

4. How many have visited a government site in a virtual world?

5. How many work for an agency with a presence in a virtual world?

6. How many wish their agency had a presence in the virtual world?

8. What are the benefits? Collaboration Not physically real Visualization Accessible “Role Play” 24/7 Availability

9. What are the negative points? Cost Exposure Security Learning Curve Perception

10. Virtual Worlds or Bust

11. General Mission of Local/State Government City of Bellevue: Provide exceptional customer service, uphold the public interest and advance the Community Vision

12. From wordle.net

13. How Can Virtual Worlds Help Us Provide:

14. Framework: Planning Virtual Worlds can help us plan our communities http://participatorychinatown.org/

15. Framework: Policy Virtual Worlds can help us develop and reinforce understanding of policy

16. Services: Infrastructure Virtual Worlds can help us design improvements, see conflicts, styles, issues

17. Services: Operations Virtual Worlds can help us operate and monitor systems

18. Public Safety: Zoning Virtual Worlds can help us convey zoning issues

19. Public Safety: Property Maintenance Virtual Worlds can help us convey importance of property maintenance

20. Public Safety: Building Codes Virtual Worlds can help us convey importance of building codes – not only what but why!

21. Resolution: Disputes Virtual Worlds can help us facilitate and improve resolution of conflicts and disputes

22. Education: Public Virtual Worlds can help us educate citizens on home ownership issues

23. Education: Govt Staff Virtual Worlds can help us increase customer service skills

24. Education: Govt Staff Virtual Worlds can help us increase operational skills

25. Education: Govt Staff Virtual Worlds can help us share information & resources with other agencies

26. Getting from here to there. . . Initiate Discussion

27. Getting from here to there. . . Set up a Committee

28. Getting from here to there. . . Develop the Plan

29. Getting from here to there. . . Formalize

30. Getting from here to there. . . Execute

31. Getting from here to there. . . Choosing a platform & finding a host provider OpenSimulator Second Life Blue Mars 3Dxplorer Unity3D VastPark Prototerra Wonderland Multiverse Forterra OLIVE Protosphere ActiveWorlds

32. Getting from here to there. . . Finding a developer

33. Getting from here to there. . . Launch & Promote

34. Getting from here to there. . . Operate & Maintain

35. Getting from here to there. . . Analyze & Improve

36. And then there’s Governance Will residents of virtual worlds decide to incorporate? And why?

38. modifying service levels

39. preventing land use change

40. preventing racial or socioeconomic change

41. community identity/tourismbecause they desire control and self- determination

42. And then there’s Governance Because virtual worlds are a place! “Virtual worlds, like any site of human interaction, can be the sites of dispute” —from “Authorization and governance in virtual worlds” by Dan L. Burk

43. And then there’s Governance “. . . a virtual world finds itself either missing important governance functions, or under the control of those who might act irresponsibly or maliciously . . . ” —from the TheLocal Government Study Group in Second Life website

44. And then there’s Governance And how will a new structure fit within existing government structure?

45. Fortunately we are not alone MuniGovhttp://www.munigov.org Grid Works http://www.gridworks.sl Federal Consortium for Virtual Worlds https://fedsl.brainkeeper.net Public Works Group Blog http://www.publicworksgroup.com/blog

46. Thank you! Questions? Contact Information: Pam Broviak, PE City of Geneva 630-232-1501 pbroviak@geneva.il.us TRADITIONAL Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pbroviak Second Life: Pam Renoir, CivilEWriter Skype: pam.renoir Slides at: http://www.slideshare.net/publicworksgroup NEW MEDIA