The power of social media...Facebook

We love social media - in all forms, shapes, kinds. We love blogs, twitter, ning, facebook. You name it, we'll try it. Today, we experienced the power of social media in a way we haven't before, and it is so exciting and heartwarming.

The story isn't so much that the local selectmen chose not to support a nominal amount of funding to Starting Point, a much needed, and unfortunately, much used service for victims of domestic violence. And the story it isn't entirely that one of the selectmen actually had the audacity to say that "some women use domestic violence as a gimmick in divorce proceedings" - yes, he actually used the word "gimmick" and "domestic violence" in the same sentence. He also told a reporter that he understood why men get angry at women. As one guy in our office said "are you kidding me?" No, unfortunately not.

The story is about the power and impact that social media can have for a cause like this. Within minutes of the article being circulated, a member of our team had set up a Facebook page to support Starting Point. She sent invitations out to her friends. I sent it to my friends, and so on. Within a few short hours, we have 44 members. Both men and women. Just like that. People joining to show their support of Starting Point and important organizations like them. And, they joined together to express their outrage about someone who claims to be in "public service" but has completely lost touch with what that means.

Update: On Friday, February 20, just a little over 24 hours since launching the Facebook group, there are nearly 150 members and the story has been picked up on the Associated Press, the Boston Herald and hundreds of other related networks.

To check out the discussion, go to: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=68657000338

Social media meets cause marketing. Love it. Now, what can you do? In this time of hope and optimism and with the tools readily at hand, what can you do to reach out, to engage action, to change the world?