July 27, 2009
Using Facebook For Your Organization
Over the last year or so, I have set it as a professional development task to put Facebook to work for some of the organizations in which I am involved, and figure out what it is good for and where it falls short.
Here are a few of my observations:
An organization with a formal existence and a real relationship with its supporters/clients etc. should create a "page" rather than a "group". The "page" format is more conducive to presenting a coherent message and managing your image. It also has useful analytics on traffic, demographics etc.
A group is fine for informal communities of interest, and has a nice "email all" and "invite all to event" feature, but it doesn't let you assume the identity of the organization. You are always you. Note however, that if what you are about is sharing photographs, you should stay a "group". The "page" format no longer allows "fans" to post pictures more than one at a time.
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Posted by Walter at 06:22 AM
July 21, 2009
Sober Thoughts About Park Closures
From AP story on budget deal: "Some state parks also will have to close, but the majority of the 220 initially scheduled to be shut down will remain open".
There is nothing yet about my local park: Los Encinos State Historic Park, and it is entirely possible, at this early stage, that decisions on its fate have not yet been made.
However, if in fact Los Encinos is on the chopping block, I don't think I would advocate a "Don't shut our park, shut someone else's!" approach to fighting it.
If Los Encinos is on the closure list, we will need to try to mobilize the local community to pressure Sacramento to, rather than allocate cash to the park, get out of the way and let the local community fund and support it. This will also require mobilizing a generally apathetic community, but there really isn't any other alternative for this park, or for any other that has been selected for sacrifice to the budget monster.
Walter
Posted by Walter at 07:14 AM
July 08, 2009
Activist Picnicking
I would like to invite all of you to join us in a gesture to show our support for our state historic parks.
On Saturday, August 8th, from Noon to 4 PM, we will have a Victorian Picnic Day at Los Encinos State Historic Park. You are encouraged to wear clothing appropriate to the 1870s or 80s (though earlier and later are welcome too), bring a picnic and enjoy a pleasant afternoon at the park--while at the same time demonstrating your support.
We are hoping for a good turn out, and will be inviting the media to come and get nice pictures of us all dressed up and speaking up for State Parks. There are no specifically planned activities, but those of you who have portable unamplified musical instruments, or other period activities to amuse yourselves and your friends, feel free to bring them (no baseball please, due to windows).
On the following day, on Sunday August 9th, this will be repeated at Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades. This time the theme will be 1920s-30s.
Of course, at this point, we are not entirely sure what our message will be. At this moment, the fate of the parks is still up in the air and the legislators and governor aren't even talking to each other. However, something should be settled in a month, and we will know whether we will be protesting, supporting or celebrating.
For details, read on:
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Posted by Walter at 07:53 PM | Comments (2)