Social Networking, Blogging and Recruiting Students

Below is the Social Networking, Blogging, and Student Recruitment sections that are currently works in progress to contribute to the Advocacy Toolkit.

Recruiting Advocates through Social Network Sites and Blogging


Social networking websites are online communities and provide a new way to interact for social, professional, and educational purposes. Social networking websites communicate and share information via online communication media such as email and instant messaging.

Social Networking Sites

Facebook is a popular free access social networking site where users can join networks organized by city, workplace, school, and region to connect and interact with other people. Website: http://www.facebook.com/

Currently APTA has a Facebook Group operated by Student Assembly Board of Directors and a member of APTA staff. Upcoming APTA events are posted on a calendar of events for this group.

• The Discussion Board provides a place a place for members to post issues, questions, job listings, and roommates wanted/needed for conferences. The discussion board is a great place to post advocacy efforts or recruitment needs.
  
• The Wall: For immediate/time sensitive advocacy needs, a message can be posted on a virtual “bulletin board” which contains announcements from members.

Linked In is a business oriented social networking site used mainly for professional networking. Members of this site can post resumes, activity involvement, and join groups. APTA does not currently have an established group on Linked In. Website: http://www.linkedin.com/

• Potential use: As students begin to approach graduation, but are still interested in social networking, they are joining this website. It is considered the “professional” Facebook by many students, and may be an appropriate avenue for recruiting advocates.

Blogging

Blog is an abbreviation for web log, which is an online site where an individual or group can post regular entries in a journal-type format. Entries often include descriptions of events and progressive updates on a particular subject often combining text with images and links to other web sites.

• Current use: Students post blogs on everything from student life to clinical affiliations and APTA conference experiences.
• Current use: APTA has created a “Moving Forward” blog hosted on blogger at http://movingforwardapta.blogspot.com/ . This blog a place where APTA and its members can interact and participate in discussion on the latest topics related to APTA and the profession. It is a great vehicle to use for providing information about advocacy and recruiting others to join in APTA advocacy efforts.

Recruiting Student Advocates


The following information lists existing student programs or communications that could be used to highlight APTA advocacy efforts and recruitment needs through articles or other forms of online communication.

Student Assembly Website www.aptastudent.org
Student APTA members are automatically Student Assembly members. The student section of the APTA website and discussion board could be utilized to recruit student advocates.

Student Liaison Network
This nationwide network of students helps disseminate information throughout the entire Student Assembly. The Student Liaison Network is maintained through the Student Assembly Board of Directors and Nominating Committee.

Student Special Interest Groups (SSIGs)
Many state chapters have active Student Special Interest Groups who meet during state chapter meetings and/or state student conclaves. The network of SSIGs is maintained by a Student Assembly SSIG Representative, who is appointed by the Student Assembly Board of Directors each year. State SSIG contact information can also be found on most state chapter websites.

Student Assembly Pulse
The Student Assembly Pulse is a monthly newsletter that is sent out to PT/PTA students and faculty liaisons. The Student Assembly Director is in charge of the Pulse.

Student E-News
Student E-News is a monthly newsletter developed and distributed by APTA staff.

National Student Conclave
The National Student Conclave is the only national conference specifically for students. It occurs annually in October of each year and is a great venue to get your message out to students.

Advocacy Challenge
This is a new event challenging students to become advocates and make legislative visits to their legislators. This is a new program and not much information is available via the website.