Greetings one and all! Since my introduction at the National Convention in San Diego, I've continually promoted the benefits of social networking for PTA. Whether it's Myspace, Facebook, Youtube or Twitter - all of these tools can be used to enhance the stature, relevancy and presence of PTA.

If you're reading this blog, it's likely that you're already an avid social networker. That's excellent, but we need the majority of our members engaged online. It's no longer the wave of the future. It's the TIDAL wave hitting our shores as I write.

Recently, I attended the European PTA Convention in Germany and posted photos from the event in real time. Though I was in Europe, people from around the world sent me notes and made comments about the pictures and shared their own experiences in Europe only minutes after my posts.

The opportunity to be engaged in real time allows us to be flexible, adaptable and relevant to ALL generations. I'm an avid Facebook user just as Betsy Landers (National Secretary-Treausrer) is an avid Twitter-er. She has folks tweeting and following her on an hourly basis at times. Though we hail from different generations, we've both discovered the power of social networking for PTA.

Recently, Target held an online campaign "Bullseye Gives" where 10 charities were eligible for up to $3,000,000 based upon the number of votes cast over a 10-day period on Facebook. The contest garnered more than 291,000 votes with PTA receiving 10,904 votes, 3.7% of the total votes equaling $112,259!

We need everyone's support in moving our social networking efforts forward. Given the size, scope and significance of our mission, we should have finished first. If you're connected thanks, if you're not - it's never too late to start!!!

Remember, it's not the wave of the future, it's the TIDAL wave of now and that's the power of social networking for PTA.



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