Create a Culture of Knowledge Sharing and Networking

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CASE STUDY

Create a Culture of Knowledge Sharing and Networking Integrate with an AMS to Create a Professional Social Network THE CHALLENGE The idea of social networking and an online community had long been popular with AMSA members, but while their existing LISTSERV model was heavily trafficked, it lacked archival and file-sharing opportunities. AMSA needed a full-featured, members-only solution that automatically integrated with its ACGI Association Anywhere® association management system (AMS), making it easy to gather contact information and demographic data. In addition, AMSA wanted to create an intuitive solution for members to instantaneously distribute announcements and resources without having to go through AMSA staff. THE SOLUTION Given the advanced feature functionality and proven track record working with associations, AMSA chose Higher Logic’s Connected Community platform to create a professional social network called Inspiration Exchange. Connected Community seamlessly integrated with Association Anywhere, allowing AMSA to transfer member data, migrate members from the existing Lyris groups and create customized groups and networks. THE BENEFITS Inspiration Exchange empowers members to join networks with members worldwide based on areas of interest, medical specialty, education and events. Members can also join campaign communities including PharmFree, Health Care for All and AIDS Advocacy Network Campaigns.

AT A GLANCE: The American Medical Students Association • Headquartered in Sterling, Virginia • Student-governed national education and advocacy organization committed to inspiring future physicians • Membership: 38,000 members, (premedical and medical students, interns, residents and physicians) • AMS: ACGI’s Association Anywhere® • Public Social Media: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

Members log into AMSA’s Inspiration Exchange every day to: • Share expertise through blogging.

Visit inspirationexchange.amsa.org

• Peruse events and student opportunities on the calendar. • Exchange international health experiences, meeting minutes, project materials and files in the resource library. • Network and collaborate in discussion forums – chapter-specific, global or by interest. • Interact with AMSA staff to maximize member benefits and build their professional network. THE RESULTS AMSA launched Inspiration Exchange in 2010 and the reaction was immediately positive. The professional social network attracted roughly 8,500 unique user logins within the first year – nearly 15% of AMSA’s overall membership.

Results continued >

Users contributed to an average of 180 discussion forum posts and over 50 resource library entries per month. AMSA believes that a large number of people follow discussions without actually contributing, and also connect through the membership directory. In 2014, 50% of new members logged into Inspiration Exchange, with a total of over 21,000 unique user logins. Independent content management has changed the way AMSA members engage. They can now distribute research, program announcements and event information instantly, rather than sending this information to AMSA’s National Office for email announcements or website postings. Members are more active now than ever.

“ Inspiration Exchange was received wonderfully by the AMSA Board and AMSA members. It far exceeded the AMSA staff’s expectation for the upgrade from general LISTSERVs.” KRIS FRIEDRICH Webmaster, AMSA

Favorite Feature of Connected Community AMSA staff particularly appreciates Inspiration Exchange’s secure integration with their AMS. Members of targeted communities are managed automatically, with data autopopulated and securely exchanged between both solutions. The result: A dramatically improved ability for AMSA staff to create specific messaging for each membership community and reduce time spent on administration.

Higher Logic offers a

AMSA continues to work on… • Building new microsites which allow student leaders to network, independently manage content and improve resource distribution. • Using Connected Community’s Event Manager to recruit and register members for webinars and events.

cloud-based enterprise community solution, Connected Community™, empowering more than 18 million users in over 100,000 communities to build relationships and forge partnerships that create value. Connected Community brings like-minded people together in secure communities designed to ignite knowledge sharing, drive content creation, solve problems and improve performance.

For more Connected Community, visit www.higherlogic.com © Higher Logic. All rights reserved.

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Call: 866.670.1402

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