Social Media = New Tools for Community Building, Organizing &

Advocacy February 11, 2013

No Matter What The Issue, Relationships Are Part of the

Solution

Marie Jobling, DirectorCommunity Living Campaign

Community Organizing is...

The belief that a person affected by an issue has more power to create change by coming together than by acting alone.  

 Through community organizing, we empower ourselves, create long-term change, and shift the balance of power.

Regardless of the issue, relationships are part of the solution. And social media is all about relationships…

• We create change together

• We do the research and make a plan

• We are accountable to one another

• We meet people where they are

• We build relationships

• We celebrate victories big and small

Elements of Organizing

Why Social Media?

Social media can help build relationships in new and powerful ways.

Social media is a set of very powerful “tools” that allow us to share information and mobilize for social change.

Traditional Social Media

Social Media Is Changing

New Kinds of Social Media

Signs of Social Media Everywhere

Why Is It Important • Social media networks are growing and

quickly becoming commonplace in ALL aspects of society

• Traditional forms of communications are move away from paper to being on-line

• Social media has added new ways to connect and to engage

Don’t be Left Behind!

The Phone - Still the Most Available and Widely Used Social Media But There is So Much More…

The number of social media users age 65 and older more than doubles each year.

1 in 4 people 65 and older are now part of a social networking site.

Seniors are the fastest growing group on-line…

(Source: Anderson Analytics 2009)

What Social Networking Sites are Seniors Using?

Start With E-Mail

• You can get a free account in just a few minutes – main sites are yahoo and gmail.

Email is necessary to do most other things with social media.

Turn A Computer Into A “Video

Phone” – for Free

Even if seniors cannot come to a meeting, they can still be involved through Skype

Meet on-line with Skype

Facebook Can Keep You Informed

What you Can Do With Facebook

• Connect – keep in touch with friends & family; build your network; connect with supporters and other like-minded people or organizations

• Share – spread information, insights, news and events; share photos, video and other media; start a discussion and get instant feedback and advice

• Support – recommend organizations, causes and political leaders

Watch and Learn(or Tell Your Story!)

Key Steps In Organizing

1. Develop Outreach Lists and Relationships

2. Research Solutions

3. Identify Decision-makers

4. Educate and Involve the Community

5. Identify and Develop Spokespersons

6. Mobilize for Direct Action

7. Celebrate

#1 Develop Outreach Lists and Relationships Research

Solutions

#2 – Research Solutions

How Big Is the Digital Divide in SF? Government Websites Ask GoogleCOIT Reports and Plans On-line

What Have Other Communities DoneLook for Ideas and Allies

Who Makes Decisions About Funding and What Is the Timeline?

#3 – Identify

Decision-makers

#4 Educate and Involve the Community

Building Relationships and Accountability

#5 – Identify SpokespersonsMaking It Personal – “Telling the Stories”

#6 - Mobilize for Direct Action

Watch YouTube – Search “OATS at City Hall”

Become Agents for Change

#7 - Celebrate!!

Celebrate Who We Are and What We are Going to Do Together

Picture from Today Here

Social Media Can Amplify Your Message

Basic Tools – Many Audiences

• Promote your issue, raise awareness, spread the word, increase your lists and move people to action.

• Get instant feedback from your allies; utilize the “grapevine” with friends telling friends

• Connect with influential people (i.e. bloggers, policymakers, press, bloggers, other organizations and allies.

The Key to Social Media? Don’t Be Afraid – Just Try!

• Social media is free but requires a time commitment

• You can learn slowly on a “need to know” basis with lots of on-line help available

• Social media + assistive technology can provide equal access to all

• Social media is available in many languages

This is something we can all learn together

Gray Panthers On-line

Advocacy Day

So Now Let’s Try…

For more information, go to www.sfhealthyaging.org or call 415-821-1003 ex. 1