David Wilcox's comments

Laura - I think you have hit on a really important point ... that social media isn't some magic ingredient that will attract young people, women or any other group that may display higher than general usual.

I suspect that those members who are social media users they may expect their organisation to offer that as part of the mix .... but offering social media won't attract "sm users". They'll probably find what's offered by any organisation less attractive than social media "in the wild" because of inevitable constraints.

What introducing social media will do, I believe, is push the organisation and its members to consider with greater sophistication just what the organisation is for, and consequently what the offer is to members. Is it mainly for member benefit, campaigning, project development? Each purpose, and associated activities, requires a different sort of media mix. I think that RSA Networks has already raised these issues, and no doubt more will emerge as the programme is integrated with the new site.

I hope RSA can continue to take a lead in discussing these challenges openly and encouraging others to join in. It's a foreign country, and we need all the guidance we can find!

I also wholly agree about a mix of methods.  Ed Mitchell has a good item and podcast on the need for blending online-offline and much more.

Thanks for the point on cooperatives ... and yes some would be relevant for this project if they are providing external benefit.

Sorry about the CAPTCHA requirement on commenting (requirement to type in a word or do a sum). We had a lot of trouble with spam, and CAPTCHA stopped that. If you register for an account, CAPTCHA will not be required.

Yes, let's discuss next week. Agreed we need a clearer ask and offer on the site ... and that should reflect/inform the way the project develops. One option is we could help develop a network/community of practice for people within and outside organisations interested in the issues and practice we are discussing here. This network would operate partly online, and partly through meetups, innovation camps, barcamps etc. The rationale is that change will come through committed people, and what they need is the support, learning, tools etc.

Then our task is how to recruit and support that network - our "membership". They assist with research, develop and use products and services etc. Just floating ideas. There are other routes, of course.

Julie (Dave) - maybe your exchange highlights how difficult it still is to get shared understanding online! Several general points emerged for me from this and some of the .net contributions (hope I'm not overinterpreting):

1. the need to distinguish personal social networking (which may be face-to-face, phone and/or online) from social networking sites online ... and these from communities or (social) networks as systems that may operate across many boundaries
2. personal preferences - which may relate to personality type, preferred communciation style - influence how and how far people network
3. even when people have high personal networking skills, and technical skills, they may choose not to use various online sites or facilities

I think it re-inforces the point made a few time here, that understanding people as well as tools, systems etc is crucial. It reminds me I should go back and take a look at the A-Zs of social media and networking I did with others a while back over on the social media wiki. Any thoughts, other resources, help would be welcome.

Hi Megan - on tick boxes - I thought Sophia/you might be suggesting a poll or similar for starters: probably misinterpreted ... sorry. Nothing wrong with that anyway ... I was just wondering how to get conversation going from the questions. I think you have answered on the event.