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Esther Clark: STORM is an Action Network
By sage of monticello | March 12, 2008
Treasurer of the CRNC, Esther Clark wrote the following post that first appeared on the CRNC’s blog today.
Whenever new technology is released, there are always numerous questions swirling around. A new approach leaves us a little hesitant, especially if we don’t understand the technology or the reasoning behind its development.
With that in mind, over the coming weeks and months, I plan to address commonly-asked questions, as well as provide tips and understanding as to the how’s and why’s of the STORM technology.
First, let’s address a widely-held misperception: “This must be a mini-Facebook for College Republicans?” No. Not at all. STORM is an action network that goes beyond the functionality of a basic social network. The new class of technology that drives STORM is called social mobilization. The two have totally different purposes. Where social networking focuses on entertaining users, social mobilization focuses on channeling users into real world action that can be tracked.
Through STORM, social mobilization users (College Republicans) will have the ability to recruit others online and then self-organize around existing networks, be they Chapters, geographical regions (State Federations), or common interests (political leanings and campaigns). Facebook is limited, in that it is only designed for connecting people. A Chapter Chair can start a College Republican group and plan events through Facebook, but it is impossible to use Facebook to manage Chapter members with a CRM solution, target messages to segments of the supporter base, or track and quantify the actions that members are completing. STORM brings all these capabilities to a State Federation, plus many more. STORM is only in the beginning phases of its rollout to the College Republicans, and a number of new features will be forthcoming in the months ahead. So stay tuned.
In the meantime, remember, STORM is an Action Network, not a social network. As you see its full capabilities unfold, you’ll understand how STORM can organize and mobilize members into actions that directly benefit our Chapters, State Federations…and ultimately, the election of Republicans to office.
Topics: CRNC, S.T.O.R.M. |
March 13th, 2008 at 6:07 am
is it also a common held misconception that the contract to build STORM was a birthday gift to a family member?
March 13th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Is STORM actually completed yet?
If so, why can’t you guys just tell us what is coming or give us a copy of the plans…something other than ‘wait and you’ll see how awesome this thing is’. The CRNC Executive Board has been trying to keep up the hype on revealing STORM for too long…it’s definetly fizzling out, so hurry up before this becomes a smear on the administration and the organization as a whole.
And that was a serious question for you Esther (BTW, I voted for you to replace Nick), or whoever else can give an accurate answer.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
They need to loosen the email-validation restrictions. I can’t even join my own chapter.
And if I can’t join my own chapter, I’m not obviously not planning on inviting everyone else…