Upon being granted the opportunity to follow a politically-focused organization's use of social media, I chose one that was literally close to home, the Committee on Temporary Shelter, or most commonly known as COTS. COTS is involved with Facebook and Twitter. Their Facebook page is used more than their Twitter, but they have had it for longer. However, each platform is used to notify their followers and people who "like" them of events and benefits for the shelter. On Facebook, they post links to relevant video clips or articles.  Twitter tweets a lot of thank yous, and recently has not been posting as many events, so Facebook has been more reliable.

Last weekend, over St. Patty's Day, there was a benefit called "Baroque but Going" which was held at the College St. Congressional Church. There was a five dollar suggested donation, and 90% of the profits were going to benefit local nonprofit organizations, including COTS, Puppets in Education, and many others. But this event was posted to Facebook, and even though not everyone who was invited responded, some did, and if one person does, then it's worth the effort.

COTS does not have much interaction on their Twitter page. It is mainly used for them to post about events, however they do have a fair amount of followers. Well, I assume 670 is a good amount, but my Twitter knowledge is lacking. Their Facebook page is average for a small scale nonprofit. Each post receives a few likes, maybe three or four, and a couple comments. Their page is not overrun with people who "like" it and wall posts, but has some activity. So for what COTS has to work with, I'd say that  their social media platforms are effective enough for what they need it for.

The purpose of COTS is to provide "emergency shelter, services and housing for people who are homeless or marginally housed in Vermont." COTS advocates for long-term solutions to end homelessness. The volunteers and the workers should be out the community advocating COTS more than updating their social platforms. Their Facebook and Twitter will help get the awareness out to the people who can help, so it is important, but since homeless people probably do not have access to the web, they won't help them. 

COTS is doing a very good thing, so everyone should check out their page see what they are up to!!