For the most part the non-business sector has not been driven by as strong a competitive environment. Charitable and civic organizations that depend on membership fees and numerous fund-raising initiatives typically are slower to adapt to mainstream business technology but stand the most to gain by it. Two examples I am familiar with are the local chapter of the American Cancer Society and the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. These two organizations have a dependency on good-will and volunteers to help sustain their operations at minimal cost. The capacity to make this communication more efficient is growing.
Web pages help post announcements and other items of interest.
What is left to do is to create the connective thread that makes this means viable. There a some volunteers who have incorporated technology to help weave this thread. All of us were honored by our chambers this year and last year for significant contributions to the chamber. Mert and Gary are great photographers that have given their all for their chambers and other volunteer efforts. Their products, photographs of chamber members and activities, helped build the sense of community connectiveness.