Orland Park Gamifies Civic Engagement
Originally published March 15, 2015
Orland Park’s new InOur.Community platform is a community-based loyalty program designed to drive civic engagement. I’m checking in on how it works and how it’s progressing.
Having registered at http://www.inour.community/orlandpark, I find it both fun and alluring. Whether I was “checking in” at places in the community or earning points for promoting events via Facebook or sharing community happenings over Twitter, I genuinely felt engaged.
Most of us are members of some kind of loyalty program; many of which are not interactive. InOur.Community takes the idea of a loyalty program to the next level, feeling somewhat like a game. Users are amassing points to use toward experiences, discounts, or online auction items. In some instances, you will automatically be enrolled in sweepstakes for area gift cards or show tickets. Not bad for a free program that ultimately benefits the community!
Part scavenger hunt; trivia contest, social media savvy; and very innovative, InOur.Community premiered on Jan. 23 with 18 different categories in which members could earn points. The incentive program now has over 50 ways to earn points and has seen just under 1,000 people registered in its first five weeks. Many of them engage with the site multiple times per week.
“I think this interactive program is an innovative way to get people more involved in Orland Park,” said Mayor Dan McLaughlin. “Participants get to earn points that they can redeem for great prizes by spreading the word on social media about the community or just having a great time enjoying all the wonderful things to do in town In addition, residents can earn points by getting involved in various sustainability efforts. We started Smart Living Orland Park a number of years ago and hope that the InOur.Community program helps increase participation in the Smart Living initiatives as well.”
InOur.Community captures the spirit of the growing trend of “gamification.” Some rewards are gained after a code is gathered from a venue or event, which makes it like a scavenger hunt. For example, by getting healthy at the Sportsplex, users can find a “CommunityCode” that awards you 500 points which can be used to win tickets, experiences, discounts, etc.
John Calzaretta, CEO of BondingPoint LLC, the Chicago-based technology company behind InOur.Community, was excited to explain the details and to share that more communities are joining the program.
“The InOur.Community solution was conceived with the purpose of tying all aspects of a community closer together — its residents, institutions and equally important, its businesses. Knowing that communities thrive when their local businesses thrive, we’re making it possible for even the smallest of businesses to market themselves,” Calzaretta said.
“Businesses can advertise for less than $100 per month, a month at a time if they choose,” he said. Area businesses also can get involved by providing goods and/or services that would be used as rewards on the site.
The idea of better civic engagement is resonating beyond Orland Park. The Village of New Lenox will launch the site in mid-March, and soon will be followed by several other Chicagoland communities.
“We’re flattered by the recognition our program is receiving and the calls with interest not only coast-to-coast but from providences up in Canada”, Calzaretta said.
Stay tuned – and stay civically engaged.
Hola
How would you like to be able to speak some Spanish by Cinco de Mayo (May 5th), “El Día de la Batalla de Puebla”; or in English “The Day of the Battle of Puebla.” This is not Mexican Independence Day (Sept. 16), but is a date commemorating the Mexican army’s victory over the French during the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
Many of us may have a rudimentary knowledge of Spanish, but imagine being able to order food, communicate and understand, all while learning Spanish in a fun atmosphere? The Village of Orland Park is offering Spanish classes for most age groups (except those currently taking Spanish in grade school, high school, or college). Classes begin next week and most will wrap up just in time for you to habla Español por Cinco de Mayo.
Consider learning another language; booking a trip to practice your new craft; or delving more deeply into a different heritage, history, and/or culture. Combine that with Salsa Dancing lessons and have some fun.
Hasta luego!