One of my favourite social networks, ChangeEverything.ca, is up for a Webby this year. Last year, they were an honoree - this year, they made the big time as a nominee and are up against some heavy hitters in the Social Network category: Bebo, Facebook, Flock and Ning.
One reason that I'd like to see them win is that they have demonstrated the real hyper-local power of social networks. An example from ChangeEverything.ca that I use regularly in my presentations on social media is a story about a woman who wanted her local grocer to carry green (recycled) toilet paper. His complaint was that it took up valuable shelf space in his small establishment and wouldn't be purchased by anyone. She put the word out on Change Everything and rallied local troops who committed to buying from that grocer. He saw that there was a market for the product and started carrying the requested brand. An amazing win-win for everyone.
Alexandra Samuel and Rob Cottingham of Social Signal, who work with William Azaroff from Vancity and Kate Dugas, Change Everything's tireless community manager, have shared their thoughts about why a vote for ChangeEverything.ca is a vote for the real power of social networking.
Change Everything's success points to a hunger out there for social networking with substance - online community that goes beyond racking up "friends" or sending "'sup?" messages. That's especially encouraging to those of us who believe in the power of social media as tools for meaningful social change.
If you haven't visited ChangeEverything.ca, I encourage you to do so. And once you see the amazing conversations and actions that are happening, join me in voting for them in the Webby's People's Voice competition.
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