Having the clear and up-front intent to include others is a healthy expression of a community; community networks by their behavior have an opportunity to model healthy behavior. But intention is only good as a beginning. Having one's heart in the right place is great, but without action, it is a hollow intention.

So I believe the two go together. Does that mean that everyone actually is included? No. People can't be forced to be a part of their communities; that, too, is a characteristic of a community -- it accepts people where they are rather than where "we" might think they "should" be.

But a proactive, visible intention directly linked to action on behalf of inclusiveness are benchmarks against which to measure a community network.

It is not enough to say, "We don't shut people out." What are you doing to invite people in?

A quick example: Karen Michaelson's TINCAN network provides active classes for people in using computers and the Internet and so forth. Her intention is clear, and she is seeking to include.

That's inclusive.