Facebook 2011-2012 = Meetup 2007-2008

[UtahApocalypse]

Many of you that were around during the last Presidential campaign were likely on Meetup. There were hundreds of groups all over the nation. At that time Meetup was the best online tool for grassroots action. It allowed a central messaging area, it had the ability to add and schedule events, and more.

As we begin the 2012 election cycle I am thinking that Facebook is prime for all of the purposes we used Meetup. It has most of the same capabilities and more. You can create Group Pages that are for States, Regions, Specific large scale events. Within each group you have messaging, discussion area, and can make Events.

Groups for Regions, States, Counties, Cities and More
I have formed the West Michigan for Ron Paul 2012 (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_172902576088012) as a test bed for its usibility. So far there are no members, I am hoing that some Michigan folks will join soon.

Groups for specific events or projects
Another example is the Group formed for the Ames Straw Poll (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ames-Straw-Poll/182858751736888) This page is not directly "Ron Paul" so in time it may bring in people interested in the event, other candidates, and Iowans wanting to get a feel of the event. We have the moderation though of that page and can control the discussion.... I plan to allow open and honest discussion form other candidate groups, but will not tolerate hate, flaming, or spam. At least though we know that our voices will not be buried or silenced.

Event Pages for mass promotion
Lastly I want to touch on the Liberty PAC Moneybomb - Convince Ron Paul to Run! (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=125262924213897) which is an event page rather then a group. In a matter of several days we have been able to connect and get the word out to hundreds of people. We also have had many posting images, video, and other posts to assist everyone in making this a success.


Conclusion
Based on these initial cases I feel that Facebook can do everything Meetup did in 2007-2008. It adds though several key items. Facebook is FREE. Most everyone already has Facebook accounts. Facebook is open, it is not just us and those we ask to join, anyone can find the groups if the look.

Anyways let me know what you think of the Facebook vs. Meetup for the 2012 Election cycle.

[Thomas]

100% agreed, although it will be hard to get all of our older members to join FB

[muzzled dogg]

Clearly

[sevin]

100% agreed, although it will be hard to get all of our older members to join FB

Yeah, I was skeptical about facebook for a while, but it's the most convenient way to stay connected with people. Plus you can get updates from all your favorite people and organizations (like Ron Paul and YAL). It's definitely worth joining, especially since, as the OP said, it's the new meetup.com.

[Yieu]

100% agreed, although it will be hard to get all of our older members to join FB

I've been boycotting "social media" (MySpace, FaceBook) since it came into existance, because it discourages privacy. I did sign up for Meetup (but masked my identity), but you'll have a really tough time trying to convince me to joing FB, I really doubt I'd do it even for Ron Paul... I'd rather just be here at RPF.

[Thomas]

I've been boycotting "social media" (MySpace, FaceBook) since it came into existance, because it discourages privacy. I did sign up for Meetup (but masked my identity), but you'll have a really tough time trying to convince me to joing FB, I really doubt I'd do it even for Ron Paul... I'd rather just be here at RPF.

there are a decent amount of privacy settings on FB and i use an app in my google chrome browser called "Disconnect" that protects my privacy: http://www.disconnectere.com/

[Yieu]

there are a decent amount of privacy settings on FB and i use an app in my google chrome browser called "Disconnect" that protects my privacy: http://www.disconnectere.com/

That is not the only privacy concern. The data in their databases could easily be sold or handed over to those who wish to spy. There is no liberty when spied upon; there is no liberty without privacy.

In addition, those in a friend list could give out more information about you than yourself, or those who converse with you on your profile.

The entire system is way too centralized and anti-privacy, which with the right set of circumstances and someone's desire to do harm by use of force against others, could be used to curtail liberty. I do not trust "social media", and I do not trust that it would lead to liberty instead of tyranny.

[eduardo89]

There's a new HR459/S202/Audit the Fed page too: http://facebook.com/auditthefed

[runningdiz]

Great idea Utah. Lets get to work on this now so we have a foundation ready for when the campaign launched. We need to utilize twitter as well.

We need to have the ability to quickly communicate with each other and get the word out on action items. Polls, money bombs, events, etc.

I think we are already doing a good job at this (ron paul supporters uncovered the fox news cpac thing and had it going viral 24 hours later)