From: Mark Tempestilli [SMTP:tempesti@usna.edu] I am in search of advice on finding and hiring people to manage/lead/facilitate an on-line community of practice.... <snip>... am now looking for those directly attached to the issue that can provide first hand advice and brief discussion. Can anyone provide advice, primarily in the skills and qualifications needed by a CoP manager/leader/facilitator of this nature, or point me at good reference people regarding this?

I'd point you to a few resources: Etienne Wenger and John Smith's online course on CoPs http://www.cpsquare.com/edu/foundations/index.htm My online course on online facilitation http://www.fullcirc.com/ws/onfaccourse.htm The Com-Prac http://groups.yahoo.com/group/com-prac/?yguid=2593993 and Onlinefacilitation http://www.fullcirc.com/ws/onfaccourse.htm lists on yahoogroups http://www.fullcirc.com/community/communitymanual.htm Wenger, Snyder, McDermot's new book, Cultivating Communities of Practice I have more links, but this is probably a good start. Holler if you want more! This is certainly an emerging field. You may also want to see if you can get access to the DoD online CoP on CoPs as there are a number of facilitators of distributed CoPs in that group. Nancy Nancy White Full Circle Associates - http://www.fullcirc.com - 206-517-4754