We are actually a web-based platform that connects people with fully vetted volunteer and charity opportunities in over 70 different countries.     Thus our interaction with our user base has, from the beginning, been largely via the internet.     However, the use of social media has opened doors that one would not have dreamed of ten years ago.

Although people have always been able to visit the "About Us" section of our website and learn more about who we are, what our goals and values are, social media allows us to have a more active dialogue with people.       Yes, people have been able to choose the "Contact Us" option to express their thoughts, their ideas, but social media allows us to respond in real time.   Social media allows us to extend the dialogue with our users, to connect with them on a personal level, on a people-to-people level rather than an organization-to-person one.     Additionally, it allows us to interact with people who have not yet visited our site but who might find it to be a useful tool.

Using the tools of social media, we are able to illustrate and promote our Vision and Mission.   Our Mission  is to create a global platform where anyone can volunteer with or donate to exceptional organizations, whatever inspires them.   Through our blog, we are able to share inspiring stories.  We are able to present different ways to think about volunteering through our blog and then announce them via Twitter.  

Social media is also an invaluable tool for living out our Vision.  Our Vision is the following:   "Create a world where giving and volunteering are a natural part of everyday life."   Through our blog and throughTwitter, we are able to make volunteering exactly that a natural part of everyday life.       You may not be able to volunteer every day, but you can remain active in the sphere by swapping stories or Tweets with other volunteers, by reading inspiring stories on our blog, perhaps commenting on them.  

As one very last note, I would like to add that I read this great article ("10 Ways to Support Charity Through Social Media") today on Mashable, which shows how volunteers can themselves take the initiative and reach out to nonprofits using social media.   So we have not only changed our approach to interacting with volunteers, but the volunteers themselves have changed the framework of our interactions.