Ranger Rick's profile (the spokesperson for NWF) was deleted from Facebook because it was "fake" and the policy is that only individuals can set up profiles. (Nonprofits can use groups). The resulting discussion thread on the progressive exchange listserv prompted some reflections on how nonprofits can effectively use Facebook.
In this post, the GrokDotCom blog picks up the Free Ranger Rick thread and asks:
Are non-profits an endangered species on Facebook?
If so, it seems dubious that sponsored (read: billable) groups like Wal-Mart are welcome to market themselves despite intense community backlash. I'm not saying it's wrong for Wal-Mart to be on Facebook, but can an eco-journalist raccoon get a break?
After speaking with the NWF's Online Advocacy Manager, David Pierpoint, the group emailed GrokDotCom the following exclusive statement:
National Wildlife Federation's concern about having Ranger Rick's profile deleted is centered on having the same opportunity and level of interaction with the Facebook community that candidates' campaigns are given. If the door of political discourse is opened, then it is important that all voices have the opportunity to be heard.
We believe Ranger Rick (40th birthday this year) is not a senseless character, but a fully realized representative and educator of millions of our constituents' voices who care passionately about important issues. We put our resources into creating that profile as a way to put a personal touch to those issues as 500 "real" people on his friends list. We received nothing but positive feedback from friends who received a "Happy Birthday" message from Ranger Rick or were told about an important event NWF was putting on. All of that is important to the relationships we want to have with those who care about wildlife and the environment.
Isn't that what social networking is all about?
It is also important that not only NWF but many other non-profits are given the opportunity to work with Facebook and its community in a positive way, and we are open to those possibilities. But let the people decide who they want to be friends with, not Facebook.
David T. Pierpont, Online Advocacy Manager for the National Wildlife Federation, doing some agitating on Facebook to Free Ranger Rick. He is also looking at the bigger question of how all nonprofits can effectively work with Facebook and be part of the political discourse. The group is called Non-Profits on Facebook and anyone can join.
There is an interesting debate taking place about Facebook between Dana Boyd and Robert Scoble about Facebook's plan to open its profiles to Google search. Web theorist Dana Boyd outlines some fundamental concerns with Facebook and Scoble responds. According to Boyd, nonprofits aren't the only ones being burned by Facebook, some independent artists have been too. (hat tip to Nathan who only tweets about his blog posts which are worth reading)
[Editor's note: For important Facebook demographical information that can be crucial when starting or redesigning your Facebook strategy, view this slideshow posted by Beth Kanter on her blog.]
Source: http://beth.typepad.com/beths_blog/2007/09/more-facebook-a.html
