Website continues to rally the troops
Related Articles
Wednesday August 25 2010
IF FACEBOOK has proven anything since its inception, it's the uncanny ability to rally the troops and encourage activism.
One simple, easily set up Facebook page, can lead to ground-swells of support for almost any campaign and the networking site has become a valuable tool for all sorts of organisations.
Without a doubt, the Save the Wexford General Hospital Campaign, flourished through Facebook and the march and organiser Seamus O'Brien is indebted to the site.
'Facebook, was a valuable outlet for the Save the Wexford Hospital Campaign, as it gave me the opportunity to get the message out quickly, firstly to my own friends, and work colleagues who use Facebook, and from there it was a bit of a mushroom effect,' said the active campaigner.
Facebook not only helped spread the word, but saved him time.
' The ability to send multiple messages in one go is just so time saving and effective. The other important thing is that when there is a problem that needs solving, a quick message on FB to the group's members usually finds the answer, whether it be for a lorry to use as a stage or yellow jackets for stewards,' he said.
The instant nature of the medium and the fact that most people log on at least once a day is also helpful.
'It means that there doesn't have to be meetings all the time to make decisions as members input is fairly much in "real time". I believe that Facebook is an important tool in the armory of any campaign these days,' he said.
It's a sentiment echoed by Frank Flanagan, who was one of the on-line campaigners to save the 24 hour search and rescue helicopter service for the South East.
Indeed, Frank is very positive about the results Facebook can achieve.
' Facebook enabled me to reach a worldwide audience of all ages and all walks of life quickly, effectively and produce results in a very short period of time,' he said.
