The Open Portal Network Project began in 2021. It’s purpose is to help educators and learners share ideas about what works in learning support for different kinds of learners. It’s a place to talk about education, not a school, an online course delivery platform, or place to go to learn a specific subject. A social media platform like OPNet does not run itself. Behind the scene, a team of administrators manage the business of the project and monitor the content that participants post on it. This blog is about the tasks the administrative team members need to do.

Think of OPNet as a bus or train system. Each node in the network may be: a) a discussion about an educational topic, b) a link to an organization that has ideas, services, or educational products to share, or c) an individual interested in the future of education and learning, or d) a transfer station that helps participants get where they want to go. You can get on the bus with a destination in mind or you can just wander around until you find a discussion that interests you.

How do nodes get onto the Open Portal Network? A participant, maybe you, registers on openportal4learning.mn.co and then posts a description of what you want to discuss, what you have to offer, or what you’re looking for. A critical task done by the administrative team is to guide participants to existing nodes where like-minded people have gathered.

As of May, 2026, OPNet is seeking additional volunteer (unpaid) administrative team members.

Each position will probably require less than 7 hours per week to complete the tasks associated with it. The numbers after each position on the list suggest how many people the current team (of 4) thinks could manage a network comprised of about five thousand nodes and/or participants. One person is welcome to take on several positions if they choose. Some training is available but the more skills you bring to the organization the better. Below is a list of the positions followed by descriptions of the tasks involved.

We need:

• Vision Keepers (~3)
• Movement Strategists (~3) 
• Information Shepherds (~6)
• Social Media/Web Designers (~2)
• OPNet Resource Database Developers (~2)
• Writers (~4)
• Copy Editors (~4)
• Translators (~10)
• Volunteer Coordinators (~3)
• Public Relations Advisors (~3)
• Fundraisers (~3)
• Government/Large Organization Liaisons (~12)
• Networkers for Nonprofit, small and spontaneous groups (~6)
• Secretary/Recorder (~3)
• Legal Advisor (~1)

Here is a description of the tasks associated with each position:

• Vision Keepers (~3) (One position is presently filled by Founder, Liza Loop)
  • Understand the founding philosophy, values, and purpose of OPNet
  • Follow the current flow on the network and make suggestions to other administrators if/when operations diverge from the vision
• Movement Strategists (~3) 
  • Understand the vision
  • Stay in touch with global trends in alternative and expanding educational practices
  • Take actions to spread OPNet ideas outward so that this project becomes a high-impact social change movement
• Information Shepherds (~6)
  • Monitor the posts being made on openportal.network, openportal4.learning.mn.co, Open Portal on Whatsapp, and Open Portal Network on Linked In.
  • Delete spam and unrelated advertisements
  • Respond personally to all new participants and ensure that they profile themselves so others with similar interests can find them
  • Help guide participants to existing discussions that match their interests
  • Cross-post so that all conversations are available on all platforms
  • Encourage Participants to write and post in their home language and then to work with OPNet translators to make their contributions more accessible to others
• Social Media/Web Designers (~2)
  • Improve presence on 4 existing platforms
  • Set up cross-posting function for use by Information Shepherd and directly by Participants
  • Develop easily implemented api’s for including organizational website as OPNet nodes
  • Develop OPNet interface with OPNet Resource Database in collaboration with Database Developers
• OPNet Resource Database Developers (~2)
  • Set up relational database schema for resources suggested by Participants
  • Create spam resistant, easily searched, user interface that permits Participants to add resources
  • Implement
• Writers (~4)
  • Keep all blogs active by monitoring Participant contributions and/or contributing new material.
  • Read and respond to Participant comments on blogs
  • When possible, improve and/or expand text on websites
• Copy Editors (~4)
  • Monitor user posts and blogs
  • (Politely) Suggest corrections or rewording for clarity
  • Help Participants cross reference and link to relevant discussions and posts already on OPNet
  • Encourage consistent vocabulary and concept labels in Participant posts
• Translators (~10)
  • Translate and post key texts from original posts into translator’s languages.
  • When automated translations are use, review and repair faulty output.
• Volunteer Coordinators (~3)
  • Stay aware of OPNet’s need for administrative volunteers
  • Keep in touch with administrative team leaders and update this list as requested
  • Respond to volunteer inquiries, answer questions, describe positions in more detail, review qualifications and skills of potential volunteers
  • Arrange for interviews with potential team leaders
  • Keep lists of active and former volunteers
  • Manage initial onboarding (including 60 hours or 10 week term commitment)
  • Manage recognition, certification, and letters of recommendation for volunteers
  • Arrange for end-of-term reviews, recommitment, and exit interviews
• Public Relations Advisors (~3)
  • Handle any conflicts or disagreements that arise among OPNet participants
  • Prepare and disseminate news releases to media worldwide
  • Work with Liaisons to encourage large organizations to mention OPNet in their own publicity
• Fundraisers (~3)
  • Identify potential funders (both organizations and individuals)
  • Establish positive relationships
  • Prepare proposals and backup documentation as needed
  • Secure revenue streams
• Government/Large Organization Liaisons (~12) (May be formally affiliated with organization or OPNet volunteer)
  • Identify Organizations with educational innovation agendas to share
  • Arrange for each to become a network node so that other OPNet Participants can find them easily
  • Monitor and update the node to keep information current and active
  • Proactively encourage Participants to discover Organizational programs matched to their interests
• Networkers for Nonprofit, small and spontaneous groups (~6)
  • Reach out to individual Participants, not-yet-organized groups, and small organizations to encourage partipation
  • Offer guidance to anyone who is new or intimidated by online activity
  • Monitor posts from this sector and make sure they get connected to previously unknown nodes or discussions with similar topic interests
• Secretary/Recorder (~3)
  • Ensure there is a recorder/note taker at all administrative meetings
  • Publish meeting summaries
  • Identify similar issues that come up in different meetings, connect concerned personnel, facilitate formation of temporary group to solve problems or surface promising ideas
• Legal Advisor (~1)
  • Prepare legal notices for websites
  • Monitor websites for compliance with local laws in various countries
  • Address Participant complaints concerning content of posts or disputes over products/services
  • Support other Administrative task groups as requested

To volunteer in Vienna, please contact Nigel Stonham on LinkedIn

To volunteer from somewhere else in the world, please send a direct message to Liza Loop on LinkedIn