Moving towards the future: Facebook.(A-35)

Are you familiar with Facebook or any other Internet applications that provide social networking services for people from all walks of life including high school, college, university, corporate, non-profit, military, and geographic communities?

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Do you have a Facebook account? My guess is that many of you, whether an A-35er at age or at heart, do have one and use it to stay connected with family and friends. Did you know that Facebook applications are used in organizations to help their employees and members stay connected? Some companies require employees to have accounts; others restrict its use from company computers. The Facebook phenomenon gets a great deal of attention, but whatever spin it takes, it could be a valuable application for you and for NDTA.

Some NDTA chapters agree. The Tidewater and Atlanta Chapters and A-35ers of the Scott-St. Louis Chapter have Face-book pages, and they do an exceptional job of maintaining current information. They have created a connection to further build relationships among members and provide information to those interested in their activities. It's a great way to promote involvement and attract new members. Announcing events and sharing videos, photos, and industry news feeds are just some of the useful tools.

As NDTA continues to consider how best to reach young people and peak their interest in the organization, we must enter their cyber worlds and become familiar with the technology they use. Consider creating a Facebook (or Twitter) account for your chapter. If you are unsure what to do, an A-35 member can help.

GSA has signed agreements with Facebook, MySpace, Flickr, YouTube, Vimeo, Blist, Slideshare, Add This and blip.tv and is in discussions with many other providers that offer free new media services. This effort is designed to make it easier for government agencies to increase access to information, offer education on government services, and proactively interact with citizens. Some DOD Commands also have Facebook pages providing communication resources to personnel, and now the White House has joined Twitter, MySpace, and Facebook to communicate with citizens. Since active and positive communication is one of our biggest goals and challenges, we should lead the way by utilizing the technological expertise of our A-35ers.

As today's A-35ers continue to move into leadership positions, imagine where they will take us in the future, just as the A-35ers from the past have brought us to where we are today. I look forward to what is yet to come and to seeing you on "the net."

Ms. Lori Leffler, A-35 Chair

Manager, US Government Sales, The Hertz Corporation

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