Lack of a Better Word

I listened to The Current on CBC Radio with some interest this morning. They were talking about the national Liberal Party convention in Ottawa over the weekend. It seems that that party is trying to be more open and inclusive.

What struck a chord with me is that the attendees were treated to some social media learning. They had a program or seminar at the convention titled “RED Talks: Leveraging Social Media to Engage Members and Communities”**.  Two of the speakers were Peter Moorhouse & Cheryl Stewart, Co-Founders, Fusion Halifax – a local firm. These were a ripoff of the popular TED Talks. I say ripoff because they can use the format in MHO, but man – do they have to really call them RED Talks? Who comes up with this stuff?

“It is no longer one to many but many to many” conversations  said the spot. They went on to talk about how it was to educate the party conference attendees and thought it might be a case where some of the older ones might not get it. My wonderment is that it took 2012 for them to realize this? Granted it is interesting how they are trying to change their party, but the talk was orientated to getting more grass roots embracing of social media.

Considering how the Tories are also trying to claim this space as something cool and ‘look at us’ – and seeming to make a mess of it this leaves the other national party of the NDP whom it seems were smarter adopters with their use of QR codes and Facebook events and a Jack Layton app (the leader of said party during the last election).

Still it seems that all parties and candidates and incumbents though still have a lot to learn compared to south of the border when it comes to doing more with social media and using the mobile platform to take it further.

I guess my point is that in January of 2012 why is it such a big deal that a national party is being progressive by having it’s grass roots organizations not necessarily participating, but being educated about this new thing called (what is that again? Oh yeah…) social media (satirical grin insert here). Do they still need education? I guess so, but that is the sad part. One would think the ENTIRE organization would be on board by now and educated far before this point.

I will give some kudos to the Liberal Party for their use of conference coverage at their Liberal Live site and encouraging online participation, but I having been at conferences related to the digital industry I would say this is more 2008 than 2012.

 

** Description on the PDF from the conference site: Modeled after the popular TED Talks, RED Talks (Rebuild, Engage, Discuss) will feature leading speakers who have demonstrated success in utilizing new media/social media to engage communities, drive outcomes and mobilize individuals to support worthy causes. Following four 8-minute RED Talks, participants at the convention and online will be able to ask questions to the panelists.

Note – I updated this article on January 23, 2012 to correct bad grammar and sphellinz.