Facebook Has Favored Status Among Advocacy Experts

[![][1]][1]Advocacy experts, technology companies and grassroots organizers are meeting in Miami to share stories about Facebook and social media's role in changing the way citizens communicate with [elected officials][2].

The term "grassroots" suggests that average citizens are using their voice to reach policymakers, traditionally through phone calls, in-person meetings or letters.

But platforms such as Facebook are revolutionizing grassroots communications because constituents can reach out directly to members of Congress, state legislators or local city council members.

And it's one reason why the [Public Affairs Council][3] is devoting a major portion of their National Grassroots Conference[ ][4]to effective social media use, which includes an in-depth look at Facebook.

According to the online schedule, Facebook's Kathryn Harbath, associate manager of public policy, is leading several panels, including "Facebook Forum 101."

She joins other speakers rooted in public policy and social media expertise, such as Brad Fitch, president and chief executive officer of the Congressional Management Foundation, and Andrew Foxwell, marketing manager for [iConstituent][5].

If the Facebook and Twitter conversation about the National Grassroots Conference is any indication, the opening day didn't disappoint when it came to sharing Facebook tips and takeaways.

* [Brad Fitch][6] of CMF offered an impressive statistic in the opening presentation: 72 percent of Capitol Hill staffers believe social media, including Facebook, helps them reach constituents they haven't reached before;
* In the CMF's [report][7] on social media usage on Capitol Hill, nearly two-thirds of social media managers surveyed think Facebook is a somewhat or very important tool for understanding constituents' views and opinions, and
* Nearly three-quarters of the senior managers and social media managers surveyed think Facebook is somewhat or very important for communicating their [members][8]' views;
* This Facebook tip was tweeted by @RyanCohn:"For maximum effectiveness, have constituents reach out to politicians on Facebook/Twitter when the bill you care about is in committee."
* And advice from @AndrewFoxwell:  "Facebook works in Congress. Your organization can be effective on a purely social media campaign."  This blog has profiled several [members of Congress][9] who are trying different Facebook techniques-such as advertising, videos and poll questions-to interact with voters and grow their support online;
* Several attendees commented online that social media and Facebook can increase trust between voters and their elected officials, and also serve as an accountability tool; and
* Facebook and social media conversations are more genuine and can serve to humanize members of Congress.

A democracy can't exist unless there is participation from its citizens. And Facebook encourages interaction between constituents and politicians -- in real time.

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[1]: http://www.allfacebook.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/democracy.jpg
[2]: http://www.allfacebook.com/u-s-lawmakers-check-in-on-facebook-during-recess-2011-08
[3]: http://www.allfacebook.com/facebook-news-2011-11
[4]: http://pac.org/conferences/grassroots/agenda
[5]: http://www.allfacebook.com/facebook-congress-2012-01
[6]: http://www.allfacebook.com/facebook-like-congress-us-2011-07
[7]: http://congressfoundation.org/projects/communicating-with-congress/social-congress
[8]: http://www.allfacebook.com/facebook-is-a-two-way-channel-for-congresswoman-2011-09
[9]: http://www.allfacebook.com/facebook-ads-congressman-greggharper-2011-09
[10]: http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/UGFVXN_Iovt6sdIdIitQyMmlYr8/0/di
[11]: http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/UGFVXN_Iovt6sdIdIitQyMmlYr8/0/da
[12]: http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/UGFVXN_Iovt6sdIdIitQyMmlYr8/1/di
[13]: http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/UGFVXN_Iovt6sdIdIitQyMmlYr8/1/da
[14]: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/allfacebook?d=pnQdOprp5To
[15]: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/allfacebook?a=Hcy91MqPJAg:plOnI5xJy4U:pnQdOprp5To
[16]: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/allfacebook?d=qj6IDK7rITs
[17]: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/allfacebook?a=Hcy91MqPJAg:plOnI5xJy4U:qj6IDK7rITs
[18]: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/allfacebook?i=Hcy91MqPJAg:plOnI5xJy4U:gIN9vFwOqvQ
[19]: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/allfacebook?a=Hcy91MqPJAg:plOnI5xJy4U:gIN9vFwOqvQ
[20]: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/allfacebook/~4/Hcy91MqPJAg

URL: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/allfacebook/~3/Hcy91MqPJAg/facebook-grassroots-2012-01