Social Media Bandwaggon

The American Red Cross currently pays employees to constantly monitor it's social media, as do many large corporations in the United States. Up until recently though, these tools were for marketing business to business relationships.

The American Red Cross released the Social Media Guidebook, and a group I am working with decided we will do a school feature presentation on it.

I will later post on the guidebook itself, which is a useful tool, but do not want to discuss it right now. This post will study the relation business' compared to non-profits and others (such as Rep. Kleinschmidt's campaign for re-election) use social media.

As a person I have my own facebook website. Any person can search my name, find out where I live, and request to be my friend. I found going into college this was a great resource to meet new people, maintain relationships with old friends, and market myself for possible opportunities that would enhance my own image.

Now that I am junior and somewhat Facebook savvy, I do not use it for personal marketing anymore. I achieved somewhat success with it for my main goal, and go back every once in a while do delete annoying comments my buddies make.

It is most interesting to see the groups of incoming freshmen flogging eachother over FB popularity from a social standpoint.

From a business one though, the marketing capabilities are growing. From event planning, to public relations, the social media market is thriving and developing in all areas. As I move from school and friends, I find myself doing updates on random issues concerning House Dis. 17's constituency, and format my message more objectively.

This objectivity becomes disheartening, and the main question I leave after a circle discussion of social media: When to be personal, use personal social media, and when to be objective and professional? Because either way people are reading from people, and the institution at hand is usually person friendly. It is a tough decision when to leave one's "voice" out of social media posts.

The relationship between the business and personal social media websites is apparent though - third party relationship. By using social media as a third party, the business is well presented, the user less personified, and goal is well, business.

So after someone decides to jump on the Facebook bandwaggon, or even the undiscussed Twitter (to be discussed I suppose), do you want to be personal or objective? Its all based on the business your trying to do.

UT Austin Red Cross Affiliation

The American Red Cross has a club at the University of Texas! It is a branch of the ARC of Central Texas.

With a mission "to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity", this student organization is what keeps non-profits like the ARC up and running. Many students find comfort and good will through participation.

As a student one can apply to be an ARC Officer, and this recognition has been known to look good on a resume. But as more students are joining and volunteering, the organization is based on better moral than business.

It hosts meetings every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Wagner Hall on UT campus. The meetings are open to non-members as well, because event planning for the organization centers around random volunteers. I was surprised to find this out, when I asked Disaster Services Co-Chair Andy Aus. He said, "Any and everyone are welcome. We have a strong membership, but most of our help comes from friends deciding to show up for even one meeting during the semester. It only adds to the communal effectiveness of the group."

I went to junior-high school with Andy and always wondered where we would end up. As friends with a meaningful aspect on non-profits, we share a lot in common. He can relate to my volunteer work at the state capitol. Aus commented, "You make the little people feel recognized at the capitol, I make them happy (gesture of making a joke)."

In some senses of the phrase he is right, I can only say my help reaches a certain extent, but both our efforts seem valiant. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities around the UT campus and Austin area, and for students who constantly struggle with hard schooling and tough work often forget the light-hearted good feeling that comes from doing something for free.

Aus urged I comment the next meeting will cover opportunity for Summer volunteering and the next on campus event, which will also be covered in unison with UT's 'Go Green Be Orange' campaigne.

Whether interning or volunteering, the resume addition helps, but it is definitely the good feelings associated that make it all the worth while.

To join simply show up to the next meeting, or e-mail the organization at UT.Austin.RedCross@gmail.com

Update: Curious at the Capitol Blog Turn of Interest - American Red Cross' Public Relations

Now that we are in the interim at the capitol awaiting the beginning of the 82nd Legislature, I left Representative Jim Jackson's office as a paid intern and decided to do a work study program at the University of Texas and volunteer for Texas House Member Tim Kleinschmidt. I was recently accepted into the Public Relations major in the College of Communications, so my foundation for this blog will change, and I will now be posting on the conduct and latest projects of the American Red Cross pertaining to it's public relations sector and general business as a non-profit organization. This change is temporary and will provide general discussion into the dealings of the ARC and in ways tie into the new legislation and hearings occurring at the Texas capitol that raise awareness and relate to the general interest of non-profit organizations. As a government employee of the THR, volunteering my time will reveal interesting correlations between my new job for Rep. Kleinschmidt (R-Lexington) as a case worker and my studies of the ARC for the next few posts on the blog. Let's see where the correlation lies!


More on my new employer can be found at:

http://www.timkleinschmidt.com/