As a participant in various online communities I say there is membership with a sense of belonging and then there is acting with a sense of ownership, which is to be distinguished from bossiness or dominance or any other attempt to assert control without blending in responsible and respectful citizenship.

What promotes a sense of ownership amongst community members?

Does community ownership arise from an air of, or perhaps a "constitution of invitation": We, the founders or existing membership say go as far as you wish in your participation, new member . . whilst following the rules. Is that it? A constitution of respect? Of deference ~ a willingness to validate differing points of view?

Ya, that invites "belonging" and is likely a prerequisite to ownership, but is there something more or other?

Do system tools or utilities encourage ownership of an online community?

I see the addition of a "report a post" link as an invitation to members to act like owners, not just police, though policing is certainly consonant with responsible citizenship. You would report a fire, a car accident or a break-in if you say one, wouldn't you?

What about "voting" for threads? I can see voting for threads as some form of ownership, but I can also see voting as being divisive, leading to popularity contests, etc. I think bookmarking, which is essentially a private act, as perhaps a better approach. Here, at WebmasterWorld, you "flag it", you don't bookmark it nor publicly vote. :) (Though I keep asking the bosses to run a report of the most frequently flagged threads.)

Moderation? Opening up the ranks? Offering to serve as a moderator is another concrete example of ownership, assuming your intentions are pure as the driven snow . . . whoosh . . whoosh . . (That sound follows me around for some reason. ;) But what is it about a forum or community that evokes in people the willingness to step into the role of ownership as moderator?

Do you think the members of MySpace feel a sense of ownership of the larger MySpace, or do they just see their ownership as limited to their little world and circle of friends? Any evidence of community ownership amongst MySpace members? What does it look like and how is it different from other communities?

Moderators that moderate to just the right degree - not too much and not too little? Does that matter when it comes to creating a climate of ownership? How much or how little? I think it matters a lot, though I'm not quite certain how or why. Again, I think there's an element of respect and deference . . and appreciation, that must come through in moderation. Everyone is a volunteer. Everyone a contributor. It all matters.

Does the existing management - moderation/admin - invite "ownership"? How? Just by being nice guys and gals?

Is "ownership" different from "a sense of belonging"? I think so, but if you don't feel like you belong chances are you won't move towards an ownership state of mind, will you?

Ya, you participate. Ya, you hang around. Ya, you see and contribute to value.

But what about that other thing: The thing that makes you want to make the place a better place? The thing that makes you pick up the litter? The thing that makes you help out, pitch in, keep the conversation on track and positive? Keep the place working, tuned-up and running well?

Not just posting. Not just saying "I'm a member there". Something more. Like it matters to you. Like it's your house too.

Do you feel more like you matter in some places than in others? Why?

Just some food for thought. I think it matters a great deal - this something - whatever it is, that encourages, enables, spreads a sense of ownership in and amongst community members. I think that it is essential and yet, may not yet be fully appreciated much less developed as a social science of online community behavior.

The welcome mat is out. You stop in. You sign up. You belong . . but is it yours? Are you an owner, invested?

Why or why not?