Communication Overtones Comments
Kami - thank you SO much for helping us show what these tools can do.
To some extent, we're still experimenting with Twitter. Trying to determine the best kinds of messages to share. Also, since the communications infrastructure in southern California is more or less intact, there's less of a need to push the "safeandwell" channel.
But I can't tell you how proud I am of all the Red Crossers who have embraced these tools. They've stepped up to overcome my meager training skills, and are doing much of the heavy lifting (leaving me free to experiment with the slideshows, for instance...)
@Ike and Kami - Kudos to both of you. I love the SMS idea. It would be cool to have a bit more variety though - so I could send maybe #5 to one number, or $10 if I chose another number. I'm glad you've jumped on the SMS/billing bandwagon early (and I hope the carriers are very generous in sharing with you - UNLIKE what they do to "normal businesses"! Billing via the cell phone will eventually be huge here. Especially if the carriers decide to be more fair in sharing.
It wont be long before the filtered mainstream media gets hip to the huge response at Freedom of the Press in social bookmarkings. The problem for us will be in that just like regular news was filtered by big bucks $$$$ adverstising it wont be long before control of this free media gets fought over by the same big Corp players. Restore freedom of the Press.
Kami, I think that using social media to help communicate breaking news about a natural disaster is a great idea. Once again, the benefits of social media are endless. I never thought about it, but blogging and social media releases would be a great idea to include in a crisis plan. With the growing reach that the Internet has, it would be an extremely effective way to spread news quickly and to a large amount of people during a disaster, such as the ongoing fires in California. Word of mouth is the best way to spread news, so I will pass this on to others so they can get involved with this effort as well.
Hey all; Thanks for participating in your own ways.
This is a great example of how well social media works, and how it will be used in future communication. When I first started learning about social media news releases, a natural disaster was the first thing that came to mind. It's just so easy to get out a large amount of information quickly and in a simple format. Do you think that this could ever lead to a situation similar to wikipedia, where the input of bloggers starts to blur the line between fact and opinion?
Josh - let me address part of that.
We're not opening our "newsrooms" to comment and outside participation. Only select and trained Red Cross personnel have access to post. That's the only way we can ensure the integrity of the information - we don't want a panicked public unclear about the origin of the advice and direction we provide.
Hope that helps...
I was always a little confused by Twitter because it seemed silly to tell people exactly what you were doing all day long. Now that Kami brought this to my attention, instant information through blogging makes sense. I'm glad to know that those people will be getting information quicker than if they were just watching a 30-minute segment of the news. Will this instant exchange of information carry over into other areas of news or just stay within natural disasters? Maybe like a sports ticker or concert updates?
Ah SarahL, you are now getting the idea. It is a tool and can be used for whatever you dream up.
Social media strikes again. This time it seems so much more purposeful. It's being used as aide in a disaster. I'm so amazed at the many facets it can work in. Even if people didn't have access to the internet they could still access the information through their cellphones. More and more I start to realize how powerful social media is and how lucky were are to be learning how it operates.
Kami, as a newbie to blogging, twitter and flickr, it was great to read this post. All I have been hearing about social media is how great it can be for a business. I enjoy seeing the Red Cross use social media has a part of their crisis management. Also, I think SMS/billing is a great idea. Thanks for bringing this to my attention, great post.
NOW HERE IS A WHOPPER!
The Fred Brito Company, LLC, received this message earlier today from a Red Cross Employee in Las Cruces, N.M.. regarding Mr. Brito's attempt to donate $50,000.00 to the fledging Red Cross Chapter here in Las Cruces, NM. The author's name has been removed for their own protection.
This is exactly what I heard just this morning.
Fred Brito, a guy who has been on Dateline NBC, Dr. Phil, offered the Southwest Red Cross $50,000.00 to help bail us out in order to keep our jobs and the doors open and the Red Cross Director Princess and Misty Laws the Chairperson refused it. Why? Because Fred Brito has a record.
When I heard this I was in shock. Here I need my job and these idiots who run this place refuse $50,000. Now how stupid is this?
If the Red Cross was really worried about its future, they would have accepted the check. How many people do you know is ready to hand over a check for $50K?
If you want to know more contact this guy Fred Brito. Google him. I can't give out the info, but he is very easy to find.
www.swnmredcross.org
Response from Fred Brito
Unfortunately, it is all true. I could say more, but what is the use.
I raised over six million dollars as Chief of Development at the Red Cross in Southern California during Katrina. I thought I could help out here as well. I guess people who are not so perfect like myself or who have made a mistake in life can't give money away.
Now, I wonder if the Red Cross asks if you have made a mistake or been to prison BEFORE they provide any kind of assistance.
In my view this could be a clear cut matter of discrimination. And when I asked the Red Cross why they would not accept my gift, they merely told me, "we don't want to have an association with you."
While that might be a good answer, if clearly smacks as an insult to a man bearing a gift that according to them is "desperately needed."
Desperately needed yes, but NOT from "imperfect people."
Oh well, . . . I suspect that I live in a City of "Perfect People" who enjoy sitting in judgment of others, while never once looking in the mirror at themselves.
I'd enjoy hearing your comments on this subject.
Write to me at: TheBenevolentCon@mac.com
http://howtocatchacon.blogspot.com
Commenting by HaloScan
