OMVA on Facebook

[chris vickery]

I am looking for input as far as hosting a Group on Facebook.
Some members have indicated wanting a website, which is NOT going to happen.
We have use of MLU to post announcements etc but if we chose to have a closed FB group it would offer another avenue of communications between Members and not cost us anything.
I look forward to your comments.
Chris

[peter simundson]

Let's do it.

PS

[chris vickery]

Will do Peter
I actually received the idea from another collector type who was asking me about our organization and how to join in/up and where to go to look. Did we have a web page? I explained the many reasons why our web page has never been successful and he suggested using FB as an avenue.

[maple_leaf_eh]

FB is a quick and easy way to publicize event outside of MLU. People often post digital photo albums of snaps they've taken at events, and their wider circles of friends get to see what happens.

[Harry Moon]

We set up two pages on facebook. one as the official with only mods able to post new stuff and then open for comments. Group set up I think. the other open friend type that anybody can friend and post on. Easy to use maintain etc.
Our website is now more or less a permanent fixture that refers you to facebook for current info.

[chris vickery]

I have secured the Ontario Military Vehicle Association as a group on FB.
Need some time to get organized but if Members want to join in look us up and request to be added.

Chris

[Eric R.]

I think facebook is a great idea Chris. The more exposure a group gets the more members it can pull in.

Our MV club here has a FB page that gets posts every day and draws people to the group. That said the group has to have a good page manager that can keep the page active. Without the member that manages our page we wouldn't get as many hits as we do pushing the groups page out to more people.

Any movement forward with using paypal to pay for membership? It has become most difficult to obtain the international money orders in the states.

[chris vickery]

Eric

I checked into Paypal for Memberships.
The issue with it is the fact that we need to be set up as a not for profit charity organization, Paypal is very picky about this and how it is worded.
While we have a non profit charter, we are not a charity and do not quite fit the bill to have free user fees.
Thusly, in order to process Memberships using Paypal, we would need to charge an additional fee for this service, otherwise it costs all of us.
If Members are not adverse to paying a user fee, I am sure we can look further into this as an option.

[Eric R.]

Chris I would be willing to pay the fee. I think it is like 2% or 3%. Since it cost close to $4 to get a money order now from the post office on top of the 2 hours driving to get to the closest office that issues them it would be cheaper for me to cover the fee.

Not to mention that the USPS won't issue the international money orders in Canadian funds anymore so you may still have to pay for an exchange rate when you guys cash the international money orders.

[Eric R.]

Chris did you ever get the OMVA up on facebook?

I tried looking it up but can't locate anything with OMVA or Ontario Military Vehicle.

[Robin Craig]

Facebook has value but only a small amount compared to other mediums.

Honestly, a forum like this archives items better.

Somehow I sense there are bigger problems ahead than looking for a Facebook page for OMVA

R

[chris vickery]

Robin, agreed. Facebook is but one area of modern comunications that can be utilised and Maple Leaf Up is a great place to keep Members together and to invite new ones.

I have sent you a PM, as your post brings concern to me as you allude to bigger issues of which I am not aware.

Best regards, Chris

[Scott Bentley]

Originally Posted by chris vickery

Eric

I checked into Paypal for Memberships.
The issue with it is the fact that we need to be set up as a not for profit charity organization, Paypal is very picky about this and how it is worded.
While we have a non profit charter, we are not a charity and do not quite fit the bill to have free user fees.
Thusly, in order to process Memberships using Paypal, we would need to charge an additional fee for this service, otherwise it costs all of us.
If Members are not adverse to paying a user fee, I am sure we can look further into this as an option.

Understandable.

As soon as you roll this out, i'll update my membership

[Ryan Harriman]

Can you post that Facebook link please.


Thanks


Ryan

[Robin Craig]

funny how the name OMVA is already in use by someone else here:-

https://www.facebook.com/pages/OMVA-...50687864947452

R

[Robin Craig]

Oh and by the way the "bigger issues ahead" was just a general comment of how I feel things are going judged from my spidey senses.

Nothing more to say in public or by PM

R

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Robin Craig

funny how the name OMVA is already in use by someone else here:-

https://www.facebook.com/pages/OMVA-...50687864947452

That's a Belgian club called "Old Military Vehicle Association VZW".

[Jason Ginn]

I shifted over to here as it was a bit OT on the .ca thread.

I am with Robin and can only find the Belgians. I drew a compete blank for Ontario.

Is it on the Darkweb or something lol?

[chris vickery]

Guys
Please try Ontario Military Vehicle Association for your search.
I have tried to search it from various pcs etc and have no trouble finding it listed as a FB group...

[Jason Ginn]

Woohoo! I actually found it!

You have to search only Groups to find it. a general search won't turn it up, at least for me.

Thanks!

[Eric R.]

Same for me. A general search showed nothing but it came right up in group page search. Weird.

[Terry Witiuk]

Sorry for what may seem to be a silly question but can the page be found by doing a google search or do you have to have a facebook account which I do not have. Thanks.

[Eric R.]

You would have to have a Facebook account to join since members have to be approved.

Here is a direct link to the page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/6843...3/?ref=browser

I would mention that I don't think a group should mainly move to facebook only for communication but use it another tool in the box. I have been in military vehicle circles for almost 25 years. One thing that I always hear is trouble getting youth interested in the hobby. Like it or not the world has gone digital and to reach out to the younger generation the hobby must also go digital. I mean this site itself is in that digital world and it has done a lot to open the doors to the hobby just by being a source of information. Facebook is a big audience and EVERY youth I have known uses facebook as a communication tool several times a day.

Sorry off my soapbox now.