From the SCHOOLS-L listserv:

“Has anyone gone from having just a page and then creating a group for your alumni? There are some limitations to the applications on a Facebook “page” and now I’d like to move to a Facebook “group”. If you’ve done this can you post some of the issues you ran into?”

Michelle Rhodes of St. Richards School describes her experience . . .

I would suggest creating a Facebook”group” page.

1. there is no “friend limit” with a group.
2. people can still post messages and you have the ability to control content
3. you can create events associated with your organization through the GROUP and then invite members accordingly
4. once people join your group you can then contact them personally or blast emails if needed
5. a group is a great way to post news stories/interesting info about your organization
6. your constituents will most likely re-connect with other constituents in your group (so they will check the group page often)
7. you have the ability to post photos and can encourage others to do so as well in one general forum

One drawback to a “group” vs. a “profile page” is that you could potentially have a harder time harvesting information from their individual profile pages if they have any sort of filters/privacy set up. This however is assuming that this practice is considered okay within your schools ethics policy on obtaining information off web sites vs. information provided personally by a constituent.

I personally work with Facebook a TON so if there are other questions I can answer please feel free to send them my way.

Michelle Rhodes
Dir. of Development & Alumni Relations
Office: 317-926-0425, ext. 117
mrhodes@strichardsschool.org