URL
Type of Community
Community Platform
- Website (php)
- Forum (phpBB)
- Wiki (MediaWiki)
How they make Money
- Merchandise sales
- Membership dues
- Scheduled events (Zombie con, zombie film festivals)
- Classes and seminars
- Zombie elimination services
Who are they?
Zombie Squad is a community of can-storing survivalists, disaster preparedness advocates and zombie junkies. The group aims to thwart relief organization dependance while making disaster preparedness and emergency education actually, fun. They use humor, wit, and of course preparation for the inevitable “Zompocalypse” as an entertaining kick-in-the-ass for the common man to get out and purchase that first aid kit he’s been putting off. You’ll find everything from recommended fictional reading to weapons training and 72 hour kit item selection.
Don’t let the gruesome fanfare put you off. Zombie Squad is an active participant and supporter of community relief organizations such as the Red Cross and Feed the Children, to name a few. Kind of like the movie Twister, they are a fringe group looking to improve relief organizations by empowering citizens and reducing strain on the system.
From their site:
When the zombie removal business is slow we focus our efforts towards educating ourselves and our community about the importance of disaster preparation.
To satisfy this goal we host disaster relief charity fundraisers, disaster preparation seminars and volunteer our time towards emergency response agencies.
Their work is legitimate and they have the donation “thank you” letters to prove it.
http://www.zombiehunters.org/gallery/v/DonationLetter/
Social Engagement
This is where Zombie Squad really separates the men from the boys. The community actively engages audiences and support by making (damn funny) viral videos, creating downloadable promotional flyers and selling well designed undead-themed merchandise.
Beyond social media, the group has setup chapter divisions throughout the United States, Canada and Western Europe. Zombie Squad not only encourages would-be members to form groups and evangelize the central message, they require as a criteria of chapter membership, to coordinate and organize a minimum of 2 charity events a year thereby attracting additional outside interest and raising money for relief organizations.
Well played, you charitable tinhats!
Official Zombie Squad chapter criteria:
* Members: Three active Zombie Squad members to act as the responsible coordinators or officers of the chapters. These will be the folks who sign the relevant paperwork, and who we at ZS-HQ will look upon as the official leaders of the chapter.
* Events: At least 2 charity events hosted a year (blood drive, food drive, clothing drive, local charity fund raiser, highway clean up, etc).
* Regular meetings: Meetings at least every other month for the officers/members to plan events. Meetings at least once a quarter open to the public for recruiting and publicizing.
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