This should be a wake up call for lots of online strategies that are not transparent, don't communicate results and just leverage online work to build a base of donating click monkeys. People are not happy with the distrust shown to them online.

 

This study mentioned in Philanthropy of 587 PEOPLE WHO USE NEW MEDIA ... has nothing to do with the failure of the platform but of the philosophy and world view of those who run organizations.

 

Online strategy and communications behind many organizations use of the online tools doesn't typically engage, empower and listen. There is a high degree of distrust of online supporters by organizers and organizations.

 

Somehow the open and welcome culture of organizing "if they show up at a meeting engage them and work with them" has not translated into online organizing space.

 

Old guard leaders don't trust their own instincts or methods used to filter "good supporters and bad supporters" in the online space and therefore they distrust all online supports and only offer them limited engagement, information or resources.

 

At this stage, it is clear that we are headed for extraordinarily difficult financial times.  The cash crunch for the advocacy movement will be as bad as we can imagine and far worse than we can easily manage.  We need a plan for how to remain effective.