Student-led Networking

• Large Medical Explorer Post (70+ members) – School/Teacher notifications– Mailing to home– General PR (school signage, radio station website,

cable TV, etc) – Word of mouth– Members starting reminding via Facebook

AHEC Response

• Brought together an informal focus group• 12 students attended• Asked questions – Does Medical Explorers need a Facebook page? – If so what should be on it? – If not why?

– Does Medical Explorers need a Facebook page? • YES 60% NO 40%

– If so what should be on it? • Information on meetings • Officers • Location of events • Other service opportunities • Other AHEC opportunities • Pictures of activities

• If not why? • Not sure if I want AHEC has a friend• Already aware of meetings• Facebook is personal, its not about school things• I don’t visit things that aren’t about friends or other

people • Facebook is about people not activities

• Parent/legal concerns

Solution

• Student led Facebook – One student established Facebook – Officers update – AHEC reviews content and pictures – Usage• So-So!

Future of Medical Explorer’s Facebook

• Officer position for PR – Post all meeting and activities announcements – Post one health career related item monthly

• Pictures posted regularly of activities • Ask current health profession students to post

Texting

• Used because of an mistake • One student texted all her Explorer friends

and asked them to text others they know.

• Explorer Wednesday at 7, tour of med lab. Be there. Pass on to other in Explorers

Response

• Approximately 60 students were notified • Second highest attendance of any Explorer’s

meeting • When asked 90% of attendee’s remembered

because of text!

Why Texting worked!

• Students get too many Facebook notifications daily

• Timing: AHEC staff did posts during 8am-5pm• Medical Explorer’s posting was buried • Student’s viewing between 3:00pm-4:00pm

and 9:00pm-1:00am

Why Texting worked

• Text came at the right time – 9:30pm• Came from multiple people • Quick reminder

Examples

• Mtg 2moro moved b/c snow meet @LHNE (Name of school) gym

• 911!! 4got mtg 2ngts frhs (location name)7pm? • FYI bike rodeo helpers needed sat go2 fb page• Volunteer 4 health fair, Sat. Jun 26th from 9-12. need

students 2 take blood pressure, check in families, etc• RHOP app due Dec 1, dont 4get to get it in

Texting plan for 2010-11

• Application for Explorer’s now includes section on texting as a method of communication to students

• Student must opt-in• Parents aware• AHEC will do postings