Quick, find someone who has not received invitations to connect via Plaxo, LinkedIn, Facebook or other online networking vehicles.

Similarly, you can't throw a stick on the Internet without hitting a bunch of stories about social networking or social media.

Social networking has grown 93 percent since 2006, reported MarketingPilgrim.com. VentureBeat.com reported that Facebook is growing by 5 million users a week, 1 million weekly in the U.S. Tons of these articles are linked on Twitter.com each day.

What does it all mean? How can it benefit a business, or a nonprofit? How does one start?

Organizers of the Social Media Club Hawaii Chapter are launching the club so businesses and organizations can get those answers and use social media to grow — larger or stronger or better or all of the above.

Social media is important for businesses and organizations “;because their customers and potentially their employees are using it and so one of these days, it will catch up with them,”; said Roxanne Darling, an entrepreneur and a club organizer.

“;Its reason for existing,”; is to help businesspeople understand and use social media, which is not just about socializing.

Media is communication, as in print, television and radio, she said. “;Social media is all of that same stuff, but is designed to be interactive and that's where the social part comes in, it's about having conversations before having transactions.”;

Even post-transaction, some companies use social media venues for customer support, as well as to gauge what consumers are saying about them.

Several national brands track social media sites and connect directly with users. Such contacts tend to show commitment, rather than mere lip service, to customer service practices.

Social Media Club was originated in San Francisco by Chris Heuer and Kristie Wells, who spoke at Podcamp Hawaii last year. There are now several clubs around the world and most meet once monthly.

The first local gathering “;is an organizational meeting, to help determine what kind of club we want to have. The point is for all of us to learn together, creating it as we try different things,”; she said.

It will build on the strengths of existing groups, including local chapters of the International Association of Business Communicators, Public Relations Society of America, American Advertising Federation and Manoa Geeks and others.