Some related information and thoughts on that:

• I came across this forum, which may be useful http://creators.ning.com/forum/topics/alternatives-1
• Dadamac.net now has CCK - which (as I understand it) is going to enable us to do all kinds of fancy stuff that we couldn't do before (managing groups and discussion lists and other things that people used NING for).
• Andy is helping me to understand the benefits and to gradually make use of them.
  
• Dadamac.net runs on Drupal - and FF is exploring aspects of using Open Source
• Collaborating on development of what you need (within dadamac.net) could be a useful learning experience and win-win for all involved.
  

I don't know if your NING  was just a temporary demonstration thing related to training (like the dadamac one was) or if it is ongoing and will need a new home. If it is ongoing then I suggest we discuss some of the features you want, and see if it might move comfortably over to the new improved Dadamac.net. I think there could be various benefits if Kelechi, Andy and I explore the possibility of doing this. If it turns out to be a good idea - then all to the good and we will implement it. Even if it turns out to be a bad idea then at least, as we  consider it, the three of us will rub minds, get to know each other better, and learn from each other. That will make it easier to work together in future on our other shared interests.

Let me know what you think. (NB Your reply can be private - just for sharing amongst our selves - but this initial email will be published on dadamac's posterous, http://dadamac.posterous.com/ My posts to Posterous serve me as a kind of rough journal -  covering new ideas, who I have introduced to whom, plans for First Thursdsays etc - not comprehensive but a good sample of what I am doing)

Pamela