Help Us Build Avenues of Upward Mobility in Greater Charlottesville
Spearheaded by the New Hill Development Corporation, the city of Charlottesville is launching a city-wide digital town square to facilitate constructive conversations on upward mobility. Through your conversations on Pnyka (“Puh-nee-ka”), an online discussion platform, you will discuss how to build a community that is prosperous, inclusive, diverse, and equitable with fellow Cville residents. Not only will you get the opportunity to share your views and learn from each other, but your conversations will also provide input and ideas for the team to consider.
Join your fellow Charlottevillians today and make your voice heard!
- Yolunda Harrell, CEO of the New Hill Development Corporation
"When we take the time to talk with and listen to one another, we learn that we are stronger together than we are separate. Meaningful conversations spur meaningful actions, and Pnyka is helping us ignite these dialogues so they are accessible to all Charlottesvillians."
Why use Pnyka?
How does Pnyka work?
Pnyka ("Puh-nee-ka") is an online discussion platform that allows you to constructively talk about important issues with members of your community. Using structured forums called “Assemblies,” individuals engage in positive and productive conversations focused on learning, not debate.
Check out past Assemblies your fellow Charlottesvillians have participated in!
© Copyright Pnyka 2019
Own your story
Do you ever feel like you are put into a box based on your habits, characteristics, or identity? These conversations are created for you to feel comfortable being yourself so you can share your own story and views.
User privacy comes first
Your privacy and comfort level are our greatest priority. The New Hill Development team will only receive summaries of the conversations and anonymous quotes from the Assembly. Your identity and activity in an Assembly will only be revealed if you are found to be in violation of the ground rules.
Respectful conversations
Creating respectful and positive conversations is a focus for this initiative. Some of the elements employed to do so include ground rules, community standards, user feedback ratings, and an accountability system.
Too busy to show up to Cville town hall meetings? The New Hill Development team will be receiving a summary of the important takeaways and key ideas in each conversation. The more you contribute to a conversation, the more insights and context city officials will have to inform important decisions.
What users are saying
Well, as a former Marine, I think it’s great for the community... Finally, someone is doing something for the regular everyday people!
"
I liked how people approached the conversation in a civil way and how the emphasis was on asking questions and learning rather than scoring points in debate.
"
Find out more at www.pnyka.com
Where does the name Pnyka come from?
Pnyka is the hill in Greece where the foundation of our modern democracy was founded. Using the hill as our inspiration, we, at Pnyka, are trying to bring democracy and diversity of viewpoints to the digital age.
When is my conversation?
Discussions will be held twice a week. Discussions will open at 5 PM ET on Tuesdays and remain open until Thursdays at 9 PM ET. The alternate discussion time with start at 2 PM ET on Sunday and remain open until Monday at 9 PM ET.
Can I access my conversations on a desktop computer?
Yes, our platform runs on a web application so you can access it from your desktop.
How am I placed into a conversation group?
We start by asking you to respond with "yes," "no," or "unsure" to different topics. These options are used solely to ensure different viewpoints are represented in each conversation. Each Assembly is balanced with two “yes”, two “no”, and two to four “unsure” viewpoints.
Is Yes, No, Unsure the only response needed for a question?"
No, we also ask you to answer the question "Why do you care?" Stating why you care about an issue allows you to reflect on why you are engaging on the topic at hand. Additionally, being able to view other users’ responses creates context, and thus goodwill between users in the assembly.
What user data does Pnyka ask for and what does it do with the data?
We take user privacy and data protection very seriously. We only ask for data that ensures a good and constructive experience. We do not share any of your data with any commercial third-party companies. All demographic information has been requested by the New Hill Development team to ensure they can understand the details and context of your feedback.
How are users identified in the conversation?
We take a semi-anonymous approach to how you are represented in conversation and we only identify users by their initials. The Pnyka experience was designed with your privacy as a priority so you feel comfortable sharing honest thoughts without feeling pressured. To respond directly to a user in the chat, we recommend using the “@” symbol + the user’s initials (ie “@CL”).
What happens once I am in an Assembly?
Our conversations are free-flowing live chat forums. We have developed an auto facilitator which helps move the conversations forward in a structured format, as well as encourages you to think through uncertain areas or opposing views of the topic. Better yet, they are sourced from you and other Charlottesvillians.
Why is it so important that I fill out the post Assembly debrief questions?
The Assembly Insights are only useful for the New Hill Development team once the post assembly questions are completed. Your responses allow Pnyka to better understand how the conversation went and make sure your conversation is included in the reports they receive.