Have you checked out Jumo yet? The beta version of the site is still a bit clunky, but it’s worth a look. Don’t know what it is? Chris Hughes, one of the founders of Facebook, has started a new social media venture called Jumo. The aim is to connect supporters with charities and projects that matter to them. It could be a powerful new volunteer recruitment tool.
It’s an interesting concept -- the web site marries the Facebook interactivity and news feed with a search engine. The search engine funnels info on causes, related to the interest areas you select, to your profile wall. You can also search and follow specific projects you choose and are suggested to you. And, similar to Facebook, folks can add their own feedback and connect with friends through Jumo. If you’ve used Facebook, Jumo will feel familiar.
Although Jumo’s founders note that the aim right now is deepen ties between its users and their favorite causes, these ties may inevitably lead to greater levels of engagement -- most notably, increased donations and volunteering. The biggest challenge will be to move people from merely following and “liking” to actually doing. The site doesn’t list specific volunteer opportunities the way Volunteer Match does. Rather, they are posted in the organization or project’s news feed.
So what’s the upshot? Jumo isn’t a volunteer recruitment listing site. It’s a social networking site that brings people together around causes. If you’re willing to spend the time building a network of supporters in this platform, you may find you have a cadre of fans who are eager to respond to your calls for action. The good news is that your audience is already right there. The site's search engine and database helps do some of the sorting, so that you are already closer to the people you want to reach...and they are folks who have been getting educated about the issue all along and are primed to help.
Right now is a good time to get started. Because it’s relatively new, you org won’t have to compete with the hundreds of thousands of others that will likely join later. You’ll have a higher profile. It’s a great opportunity to recruit your fans early and often.
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