Invitation: Association social media power users group

I’m thinking about creating a small peer group/online community for practicing association executives who oversee social media initiatives. For starters, here’s who I have in mind:

• Becky Granger, Educause
• Renato Sogueco, Society of American Florists
• Frank Fortin, Massachusetts Medical Society
• Helen Mosher, AFCEA Int’l
• Fred Faulkner, American Bar Association
• Todd Carpenter, National Association of Realtors
• Lynn Morton, American Academy of Physician Assistants
• Bill Sheridan, Maryland Association of CPAs
• Dan Scheeler, American Health Care Association
• Mike Cutlip, Massachusetts Association of Realtors
• Scott Briscoe, ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership
• Chris Jenkins, Ohio Society of CPAs
• Jenny Levine, American Library Association
• Maybe you? (sorry if I didn’t mention you by name, these are just people who are top-of-mind for me at this moment)

Why this group of people? From what I know about them…

• All are working for a membership organization (i.e. Trade Association or Individual Membership Organization, not a charity)
• All have advanced social media initiatives for their associations
• All are getting their hands dirty in the guts of social media tactics

Here are some potential features activities of this users group:

• A forum/listserv for Q&A on strategies, tactics, and nuts n bolts
• Periodic conference calls or video chats on topics presented by group members
• Barcamps or unconferences for the group members
• Setting up a custom socnet for the group

Taking Clay Shirky’s advice to start small, I’ve set up a Google Group. My initial thought is to keep the group small (maybe 50 people max). I think the group should decide exactly how large to let it get.

If you’re on the list above and would like to join, just request to join and I’ll approve you. If you’re not on the list and you’re a practicing association executive and a social media power user, send a request to join along with some information about who you are and why you think you’d make a good group member. If you can get one of the people above to vouch for you, it’ll help your cause.

Why am I doing this? I had an incredible experience at Digital Now last week. The keynotes were great and all, but I got most of my takeaways between and after sessions from some incredibly bright association execs who are doing some incredibly cool social media stuff. Some consultants and vendors are understandably disappointed that they aren’t allowed to attend Digital Now unless they’re speaking or exhibiting. But by keeping the audience almost completely comprised of association executives, there’s a certain pragmatism among the attendees, and I’m hoping to re-create that through the web.

Like Digital Now, I think this group should be kept small and hyper-focused on practicing association executives. No offense to the consultants and technology providers, but sometimes I need some dedicated time with others who do what I do day in and day out. Walled garden? Yeah, but sometimes I need walled gardens, and I believe there are others like me who feel the same way.