1. The American Legion & Social Networking

2. Social Networks vs. Social Media
Facebook groups, Flickr, MySpace, LinkedIn, MyVetwork, Boomj.
Primary function is to engage and empower our grassroots for membership, activities and advocacy purposes.
Secondary function is to serve as relay station for immediate news releases, communication and educational material.
Social Media:
Twitter, Blog sites, YouTube, Facebook-Online Updates fan page.
Primary function is to relay and publish real time news, and communication to the public.
Secondary function is to drive awareness and traffic to legion branded publications online and in print. 

3. Why they are important?
It’s still about personal contact: the essence is not technology, but the ability to connect us to a network of communities to serve a common purpose.
It’s about community and communication: Veterans and servicemembers are connecting online, we need to communicate with them our Pride and Purpose.

4. How to utilize web 2.0
Engage and build relationship with veterans, servicemembers, families and friends; let’s start talking about The American Legion and educate the public about what we do and who we are.
Empower our networks to think globally and act locally; reinforce the grassroots and energize our members and prospects by activities and advocacy.

5. Our current status The American Legion @Facebook
Current members: 2339
 The American Legion @Twitter
Current followers: 491
The American Legion @YouTube
 The American Legion @Flickr
Current photos: 1509; Current users: 223