If you are on Twitter, then chances are you have recently seen messages about the need for aid in Africa coming from members of the new Canadian Red Cross Twitter Team.
Twitter Team member Amber Mac wearing a Red Cross lifejacket for a video shoot
The Twitter Team is made up of a group of Twitter users who, over the last few years, have demonstrated their commitment to the Red Cross. They are supporters who have organized fundraisers, volunteered, worked with us to build our social media channels and used their social media influence to help spread the word about the work of the Red Cross.
Currently our Team includes: @JillianHarris, @BifNaked, @AmberMac, @clickflickca, @Tangomango68, @rosalesj, @wallabina, @Unmarketing, @AnnDouglas, @Miss604 and @evelynso.
While we have listed photos of our core Twitter Team on our website, there are even more people who have signed up to be a part of our Team and help us get the word out. Those supporters include: @snotforprofit, @sahnetaeter, @camadouny, @nikkidohertybc, @jon_cram and @taliafootsteps.
To be on the Twitter Team, it’s not about how many followers you have or what your ‘klout’ score is, but rather it's about the relationships you have built with us over time.
Twitter Team member Jillian Harris visits Slave Lake
We decided to create the Twitter Team following the heightened social media activity during the Japan earthquake. It was obvious during that disaster that the social media community was engaged with the Canadian Red Cross and wanting information quickly on how they could support our efforts. During disasters, it's all hands on deck at the Red Cross. And the more hands, the better! So we enlisted the Twitter Team to help us ensure widespread delivery of accurate information.
We hadn't planned to launch the Team until this fall, but during the summer the Canadian Red Cross began fundraising to help families affected by drought and starvation in the Horn of Africa.
We decided to rush the launch of the Team and activate them to help us share messages about how individuals can support the Red Cross in the Horn of Africa.
clickflickca shows how to hold an epi pen during a CPR class
With their help, we shared more than 2,600 messages about the Horn of Africa (those tweets generated a possible 7.4 million impressions according to Sysomos). The Canadian Red Cross is grateful for all of its supporters who continue to help us raise awareness about these issues. By Sept. 16, the Red Cross raised $11 million and we will continue to use our social media channels to report back to our communities so that they know how their donations are making a difference.
Check out our page to learn more about our Twitter Team members.