Unfortunately, no – not and make a sustainable program. The problems inherent in the platforms are counter to what we want to do with the program, so we have to adjust and that meant making some tough decisions.

As a social media and Internet user, what you wrote matches much of my experience, both good and not-so-good.

Thank you for an insightful and honest evaluation of how your 1stfans program has worked. Not all people or organizations are willing to be so public about what sort of worked and what didn’t. But “learning as you go” beats the heck out of *not* learning every time. Very few things turn out perfectly the first time. Especially when you’re dealing with online media, circumstances will change even if you got it right the first time and you’ll need to adapt.

I hope your move to Meetup works out. Can we look forward to another evaluation a few months down the road? It would be very instructive.

As one of the faraway 1stfans, my membership was always more about the sense of connection I got to the Museum than about any of the benefits or special offers. For me, the ‘benefit’ is that when I tweet to the Museum, someone there knows who I am, and appreciates that I’ve been in touch. And I don’t imagine that will change, for either side, distance membership or no.

Your considered analysis and nimble adaptation shows great insight into the needs of both your community and your organization and I’m sure I’ll be using this as an example of great adaptive leadership in my work. Thanks for the example!