Posted by: Walter Roark at 2:29AM AFT on January 17, 2009
When you have a membership that is passionate about a cause, how can you help them share that passion?In the case of the Sierra Club, you turn to social media solutions that offer your loyal subscribers a proven way to connect and communicate.
Atlanta’s
ThePort created custom “social objects” for Sierra Club based on
their membership’s interests. These virtual “rallying points” appeal to
individuals’ concerns about climate change and its effects.
For example, a
social community called Climate Crossroads was developed by ThePort as an online destination for Sierra
Club members. Here, both casual members and activists can gather and engage in
a common belief that we can combat the
many issues of climate change.
Several key rallying areas in the Climate Crossroads community were mapped out and made easily accessible. “Action”
groups are among the most important elements. These “social object” modules
encourage members to create and join groups dedicated to positive change in the
environment.
The lineup of “Action” topics created to date promote good works
in Global Warming, Plastics Use, Animal Rights, Local
Recycling, Diet Change, Environmental Education, Supporting Local Economies and many
more.
Members of the Climate Crossroadscommunity can 1) create new “Action” groups, 2) "take
action" by following links to additional web information, 3) become a member of
the “Action” group, 4) comment on “Action” group activity, 5) rate the “Action”
group, thumbs up or thumbs down.
Rallying around action topics energizes Sierra
Club advocates and keeps them tuned in to current movements within the Climate Crossroads community.
Individuals have additional “social object”
modules to interact with. “Groups” let people meet (virtually) and
share information with other like-minded members. A singular Group can be based
on geography, environmental cause, hobby or anything else members deem
important. Really, there are no limits.
The “social object”architecture around “Groups”
gives members the option to 1) create a “Group,” 2) rate a
“Group,” 3) comment about the “Group,” 4) add Photos to the “Group,” and 5)
link Events to the “Group.”
Sierra Club asked ThePort to develop and integrate additional “social objects” for Climate Crossroads members such as one based on the topic of food. The “Food” area is popular for its “green cuisine” topics and because
it encourages members to share, recommend, try and comment on recipes.
It’s a
fun way to interact with othermembers, and a linked food forum gives people
additional access to wide-ranging discussions about food.
Above all, Sierra Club decision-makers understood how
“social objects” solutions from ThePort would reinforce and sustain a higher
level of interactivity within the Climate Crossroads community. The lasting result? Sierra Club advocates and
subscribers who are more engaged, better informed and reliably generous in their
support.
