Why you should volunteer for social media in West Berkshire
Social Media in Berkshire is all about engagement; wherever LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook are used it is clear being engaged makes the difference, which makes it a perfect fit for the voluntary sector, which is thriving in West Berkshire.
This is why Nigel Morgan, of Berkshire Social Media and Public Relation Consultancy Morgan PR entitled a talk to the Voluntary Sector Assembly in Newbury: ‘Why you should volunteer to use Social Media’.
The assembly aims to bring together voluntary and community organisations to share opinions, expertise, local knowledge and to celebrate success. We were invited to speak by its chairman, Garry Poulson, who is also Director of the Volunteer Centre West Berkshire. The former Town Mayor of Newbury recounted to the audience how he first met a young reporter called Nigel Morgan when I covered a jumble sale he was holding at the Town Hall! Those were the days!
The Volunteer Centre West Berkshire recruits 1,500 volunteers every year for over 300 organisations and is somewhere Morgan PR encourages people we meet to visit if they want to give back to the community – or you could always tweet @VolunteeringAce.
Naturally, the audience being made of up volunteers, many of whom are already fully employed or running businesses, LinkedIn was the most prevalent social media channel used – although few were posting regular updates. A smattering of Twitter and Facebook was also present, but few for the organisations they volunteer for.
We explained how the different channels work, the benefits to be had and the risks social media can present and of course the importance of blogging as a cornerstone for a social media strategy. We also revealed how we believe Organic PR is the best way to leverage the opportunities in their organisations in the different social media channels.
Engagement is the key for the voluntary sector to not only spread news of how they can help, but also to spread that word online and find help online. We did try to give examples specific to organisations in the room during the presentation.
Morgan PR donated half a day of PR and Social Media consultancy in a prize draw for those organisations who attended the assembly and this was won by Neighbourhood Watch, which considering our experience working with the police should mean we can truly add value and could trigger Facebook and Twitter being used to prevent crime.
A further 30 minutes of free telephone support was offered to every organisation who attended if they want to explore where to focus after being inspired by the talk.
There was a great atmosphere and energy among the volunteers and it was encouraging to see many, frankly disparate organisations co-operating under the common banner of helping people.
Sadly, there is an ominous reason why local charities should be using social media. West Berkshire Council is about to embark on the first of three years of savage cuts and indicated the voluntary sector will be effected. So when the services of these organisations have never been greater, without doubt some will lose funding. High profile public outcry, not least through the galvanising channels of social media, might make elected members consider their position.
A cynical journalist might believe that the voluntary sector, by its very nature, will be seen as a soft touch for cuts. I hope I am proved wrong.
Are you in the voluntary sector? Are you using social media? Did our talk spur you into action? Tell us more in the comments below.