People Weavers - Creating Online Communities

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The Blackbaud User Society is an independant group of users who work for clients of Blackbaud Inc. Blackbaud creates software to help non-profits manage their clients and fundraising efforts effectively. In 2006 the society was created in an effort to provide an alternative to the lackluster forum software used by Blackbaud within their support site. That was just the beginning.

After over a year of evolution the community has grown to be relied on by hundreds of people as a resource for maximizing the value of their software investment. Unbiased news about Blackbaud, opinions on products, suggestions for complex problems, and a place for members to unwind - all of this and more are discussed in the forums.

There is more than just discussion - there is action. It is one thing to talk but this community takes the lead on what they want. The Blackbaud Ideas Inventory allows community members to submit and vote on enhancements to Blackbaud products that they feel should be the priority of the development team. These results are publicly viewable but are presented and discussed annually at the Blackbaud Conference for Non-Profits in Charleston, SC.

The Blackbaud User Society has created Evangelists - people who believe so strongly in what the site does that they tell their co-workers, friends, and collegues about it.  All without spending a dime on marketing.

Want to see more? Take a guided tour of the site!