Please help - need suggestions for setting up group forum

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> Hi, I wonder if the regulars at sowpub could
> do some brainstorming with me about an idea
> I have.

> I recently attended a professional
> development seminar that lasted 4 weeks. I
> met 19 other participants and we're trying
> to keep in touch and help one another stay
> motivated. All of us at one time were
> employed in fairly good paying jobs, but
> were downsized over the last 6-13 months. We
> are also all 40+. Many in their mid-late
> 50's. Some are looking at the
> self-employment route, others still haven't
> gotten their heads around how to market
> their services and are looking for the
> traditional job. These men and women are all
> professionals, civil engineers, Presidents
> and CEOs of small to medium sized
> manufacturing and technology companies,
> marketing directors, accountants, ex. cop
> now private investigator, business analyst
> and many other types in our group.

> There is certainly a wide range of talent
> and skills among the members. My object is
> for us to grow our network, help one another
> by exchanging ideas, offering advice, and
> find some way for us to put this talent base
> to work for us. I thought of creating a
> community forum where we could meet online
> and both exchange ideas and invite others
> outside the group to join in.
> Communityzero.com comes to mind as a place
> to start such a group.

> And this is where I'm stuck. Naturally, I
> need to sell the idea to the group, but
> before I do so, I want to go to them with a
> bit more sturcture around my idea. Keeping
> in mind, this group, although made up of
> professionals, many are not into the net as
> I am.

> Can you see this kind of group dynamics
> making sense if I set up a community group
> forum?
> Other than word-of-mouth among all members,
> how can we get others of like mind to
> paritcipate?
> I'd like to keep it regional, i.e. mainly in
> SW Ontario, Canada. Why? Many of the group
> are really not internet savvy. They use the
> internet to post their resumes, research
> prospective employers and access email and
> job related functions, but that's it. They
> really don't use the internet for surfing
> and research as much as I do.
> Once we're set up in this kind of forum, can
> we use search engines to get listed if we
> don't have our own domain name?
> Any suggestions on how we could turn this
> into a viable business opportunity down the
> road?

> All comments or suggestions would be most
> welcome.

> Thanks.

> Eliz.




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