Environmental science and policy professionals aren’t the only ones who have a habit of obscuring important information behind bad writing. Take this passage from America’s Civic Health Index 2009, for instance:
Millennials who use social networking sites for civic causes are also more civically engaged in their communities. Although we cannot conclude that belonging to social networking sites alone causes an increase in civic engagement, those who engage online come from diverse economic and educational backgrounds,
illustrating the potential of technology in bridging traditional civic gaps. Online platforms provide engagement opportunities for many Americans who may not belong to a formal volunteering organization.
In plain English, here is what I think the researchers are trying to tell you:
People in their 20s and 30s who sign online petitions and circulate emails and viral videos about social issues are also more likely to get involved in these issues in the real world. And because these online activities are easy to try, minorities, poor people, and those with low educations are more likely to get involved than they were in the past — which is a good thing. The risk, however, is that for many people, this type of online activism may turn out to be a satisfying substitute for getting involved with a traditional nonprofit organization.
So what happens if these trends continue for the next few decades? Will traditional nature protection and pollution control membership organizations use Facebook groups, listservs, blog networks, and other online communities to diversify and renew their memberships? Or will these online communities actually replace the traditional notion of membership?
I don’t have any idea — so I’m curious about your thoughts!
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To my way of thinking polution control professionals absolutely must engage with social media. We must start by contributing selflessly to the conversation with thoughtful posts that stimulate interaction and provide some new thoughts. Then when we actually plan an event like a tree planting or a cleanup we have enough credibility to attract people to our cause. We also need to make sure our events are well planned and organized so that they generate positive buzz afterward.
Nobody has the social media landscape completely figured out, but as “traditional” media like newspapers and television lose their ability to move people to action we in the nature protection business had better learn how to reach people in new ways if we want to survive.
Gary
Short, sweet, to the point, FREE?exactly as inofrtmiaon should be!