Social media another way for members to connect

Opportunities available through Facebook and LinkedIn help to fulfill OWL’s networking and mentoring mission.

Social Web sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn help members of Ophthalmic Women Leaders keep in touch between ophthalmology meetings. The sites provide two-way communication between the leadership and members of the organization, and they encourage members to network and share information.

Open lines of communication

One of the greatest benefits of social networking is the two-way communication, Angelyn Lowe, a co-chair of the Marketing Communications Committee, said in an interview with OWL eNEWS. This allows for information to not only go out to members, but also for feedback to come back to the leadership.

“Rather than people just coming to hear about us, we can hear from them as well and get feedback. It also gives members the chance to talk to each other. The ophthalmology world is a pretty small world, and you may end up running into and working with some of the same people. [Social networks] give people the opportunity to get together between ophthalmology meetings and also give us the opportunity to share not only new programs, but it’s a place for people to talk, to network, a place to share photos from events and a way to reconnect with old contacts,” Ms. Lowe said.

LinkedIn network expanding

According to Executive Director Molly Schar, social networking is a great tool for promoting OWL to potential members. As the first social media outreach OWL employed, LinkedIn has been extremely successful in educating others about member activities and benefits. OWL’s LinkedIn network is currently 126 members strong.

“We don’t restrict our LinkedIn group to members; part of our recruitment strategy is to use LinkedIn to get the word out about OWL activities and membership benefits. OWL is always looking for opportunities to open lines of communication and build on our more traditional ‘face time’ networking activities like the events at the AAO and ASCRS meetings,” she said.

Future social networking endeavors

Although OWL is only on Facebook and LinkedIn at this time, other social media endeavors are not far from reach, Ms. Lowe said. Twitter is a potential opportunity that might be explored in the future when it is appropriate.

“OWL is a volunteer organization, and in order to increase some of the things we do, the more volunteers we have and the more members that participate in these programs, the easier it is to expand,” she said. “We don’t have any plans as of right now to expand into other things, but I’m certain that we will eventually. We’re just not there yet,” Ms. Lowe said.