Kiwi website initiative gives local groups a boost

June 4, 2008

Kiwi website initiative gives local groups and clubs a free boost

A trio of Auckland media design graduates has developed a unique website helping community groups, clubs and organisations increase their memberships.

Peter Cahill, one of the masterminds behind Usplus.com, says the website was an idea that “just wouldn’t go away”.

Although based in New Zealand, Usplus is open to anyone and has global potential.

“There is nothing quite like this anywhere else,” says Cahill.

The three graduates found it ironic that given the potential of the internet to connect people, no-one had really catered to community engagement.

“With all the promise the internet holds for our future, it is interesting that something as simple as finding a group, club or team-based activity in one’s locality, is not always a simple procedure,” says Cahill.

Usplus provides the solution by supplying a venue for people to seek out group-based activities within their local community.

Groups can list their focus, purpose and details on the website for free. Advanced tools also allow groups to promote their events and activities, network and ultimately grow.

Usplus is one of a new breed of action networking sites where ‘relevance’ of the internet is the key.

With a recent survey¹ revealing the average New Zealand broadband user spends around 22 hours a week online, the internet is an ideal tool for local clubs to drive membership.

Usplus also provides a social network for people to meet friends and make connections around real common interests.

“We see this working for such groups as sports clubs, home-schoolers, patient support groups, volunteer groups – in fact any group who needs to either network within itself or tap into similar groups overseas, “says Cahill.

He admits that while the internet connects us instantly with people on a global scale, it does so at the expense of our local relationships.

“The more time we spend looking at our screens and interacting with people on the other side of the world, the more people feel disconnected from their neighbourhoods and local communities. If we want to live in a connected society, then we need to actually connect with each other as individuals and groups.”

Usplus plans to incorporate fundraising systems into the site.

Clubs or organisations who would like to list their services for free on the Usplus website can register via the site or email their details to Pete Cahill at support@usplus.com

www.usplus.com

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