Doing something good? Web site lets everybody know

ST. PAUL -- It's almost as if Harry Melander is living an Information Age mutation of the old protest question, 'What if they gave a war and nobody came?'

For months, Melander has been overseeing development of a Web site intended to highlight community service projects, volunteer opportunities and service learning projects sponsored by unions.

The Web site ? buildingourcommunity.org ? is now up and running. It's got a robust database. It's got a clean design, with an easy-to-use calendar, search engine and union directory. It's got the flexibility to let union staff simply enter a password, then easily add information about their projects. It's free.

It's also nearly empty.

Despite multiple requests, few unions are taking part, said Melander, an executive board member of the Saint Paul Trades and Labor Assembly and business representative for the St. Paul Building and Construction Trades Council.

'We in labor do a lot of different things,' Melander said. 'Everybody is involved in community activities. This is a chance to demonstrate that and let people know what we are up to.'

Melander said the site provides a great opportunity for educators and nonprofit organizations to learn about labor projects and to get their students and members involved. That can help connect labor to schools and grassroots organizations in a way that, as the site's name suggests, builds our communities.

'It's disappointing that hardly anyone is participating,' Melander said.

The site is sponsored through financing obtained by the Trades and Labor Assembly, the Minnesota State AFL-CIO, and the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning.

To find out more about buildingourcommunity.org, call Harry Melander, 651-224-9445.