Project brief: We designed and built a network of websites to help cities around the country leverage citizen service to address local challenges. This network is part of the Cities of Service initiative, a bipartisan coalition of mayors of large and small cities from across the country. There are 115 U.S. cities that are now part of the Cities of Service coalition. First-round member cities using this online platform include Chicago, Detroit, Nashville, Newark and Philadelphia.

The Cities of Service Online Network is based on the success of NYC Service—New York City’s volunteer campaign. Instead of creating an open-ended search that is the norm for many volunteer websites, NYC Service actively promotes volunteer opportunities that are in line with city-identified priorities.

The Cities of Service online framework allows member cities to engage with their local organizations and volunteers. Building a website within the framework is simple and straightforward. Intuitive tools allow each city to apply their branding and style guidelines to create a unique look and feel. Each city can also craft an overall message about service in their communities. Local organizations are encouraged to submit volunteer opportunities, which the city can prioritize in accordance with the city’s identified needs and priorities.

For example, one of Nashville’s service priorities is the environment. The city can now highlight and prioritize submitted volunteer opportunities that align with storm-water management and flood mitigation. As envisioned, these volunteer efforts may prevent a future catastrophe similar to the destructive 2010 floods.

Approach: In our initial discussions with the client, they considered cloning a website for each city that wanted to join. We suggested an alternative that would prove more strategic and cost effective: an online system in which each city’s website would be an “account.” Future updates and changes would apply to all city websites, saving time and resources. Similar to energy efficiency, this system costs more money up front but over time, the savings of using a consolidated system is significant in terms of future maintenance.

If a new member city provides all the necessary information, we can have a website set up in less than an hour. How’s that for fast?

This online system was designed and developed entirely in New York City with no overseas outsourcing. The time line was four months, an accelerated schedule to meet Martin Luther King’s birthday in January, a day of service and a federal holiday.

Effectiveness: We like a challenge and we came up with a powerful, beautifully designed interface that is intuitive, flexible and easy to use for volunteers, organizations and city administrators. We consider this project successful because our solution is perfect for the spread and amplification of volunteerism and service nationwide.

The client considers this project a success because it’s a comprehensive online system that can easily accommodate any number of future member cities. Cities can be added quickly. Future maintenance costs are kept to a minimum. The client can focus their efforts on getting more cities to join the network.

City governments like their websites because they can promote volunteer opportunities that are in line with their priorities. They can also customize their sites based on their city’s branding guidelines. They also appreciate the control the administrative tools give them. Nothing can be published without their approval.

This project is the largest and most gratifying to date for our company. We realize that projects like this are unique and don’t come our way often. Volunteer service should be a part of people’s lives and it should be easy to get engaged. We are thrilled that we had an opportunity to use our talents in visual design, interaction design and programming to build stronger communities across our country.

Would not have stood out if not for the platform, what it challenges and how it supports communities. Did a good job of combining a cohesive system with universal usability. Customizations give each city a personality without being overwhelming.

While not outstanding visually, the system and what it allows you to do make it a great example of effectiveness. This is for people.

Plug and play—great use of usability, scalability and customization. Allows for personalization in a simple way.

Very practical information, well illustrated and not preachy.