Community Living Ontario

Online social networking provides forum to share ideas, latest happenings

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 -- Deron Hamel

Community Living Ontario launched a Facebook page in early January in an effort to bring people involved with the Community Living movement together, as well as to provide a forum for people to build connections and share thoughts and ideas.

Andria Samis, Community Living Ontario’s communications specialist, says the organization is pleased with the level of engagement the Facebook page has received, adding there have been lots of positive comments posted on the page.

To date, the Facebook page has attracted an impressive 852 fans.

“What we’re realizing is that people are using these social media and social networking tools, and this is a really great way to tap into people that are using them, and also to encourage more people to be using it,” she explains.

Samis says Community Living chose to use Facebook because there was a need to have a public space for people involved with the movement to connect with each other, share ideas and network.

Facebook is an ideal forum to unite people when it comes to responding to calls to action, says Samis. It also serves as a tool to keep people involved with the Community Living movement informed about latest happenings.

Ken Pearson, Community Living Ontario’s online media strategist, characterizes Facebook as “a pillar in any communications strategy.”

Since Facebook is the world’s largest online community, it’s important for Community Living Ontario to have a presence there, says Pearson. The page also has a link to Community Living’s Twitter page, which keeps people informed of the organization’s events and campaigns.

Since so many people involved with the Community Living movement are already Facebook members, launching a page to bring people together seemed like the natural thing to do, says Pearson.

“It’s a huge part of our social media campaign and strategy,” he says. “The great thing about Facebook is that it’s the largest website in the world, with about 400 million users.”

Click here to visit Community Living Ontario’s Facebook page.

If you have a story you would like to share with Community Living Leaders, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 23, or e-mail deron(at)axiomnews.ca.

If you have feedback on this story, please call the newsroom at 800-294-0051, or e-mail deron(at)axiomnews.ca.
This article may be reproduced without seeking further permission if used in proper context and with the following credit line: "Reprinted from Community Living Leaders, an online news service of Community Living Ontario. www.communitylivingontario.ca."