The alternative energy movement has now reached a tipping point. The juxtaposition of oil prices leaping over $110 a barrel and coal costs doubling has been instrumental in awakening a new sense of urgency about alternative fuel.

With US motorists paying close to $4.00 per gallon of gas and California drivers paying approximately $4.15 per gallon, enthusiasm is growing for a national agenda to embrace use of alternative energy. Whether these be hydro, liquified coal, or hybrid technologies, US consumers are now realizing that our nation's economy and energy security are totally linked to reducing our dependence on traditional fuels.

It would seem as if the political climate has never been more favorable for the alternative energy movement. To truly seize this moment, the organizations that comprise the movement would be well served to consider the import of technology in improving the cross community networking needed to generate lasting impact.

Indeed, most alternative energy lobbying organizations could experience benefits from using new technologies that enable collaboration. Examples include Rondee's free conference call system which enables easy to deploy teleconferencing as well as online conference calling and networking tools.

First Tip: Utilize web tools to network

The most successful alternative fuels lobbying organizations create networks of supporters who believe in their philosophy and mission. While the word networking often gets an unfavorable reputation, the clear reality is that these networks can provide significant help. Today in Silicon Valley, the expectation is that professional folks will have at least a basic LinkedIn profile.

Meanwhile, other networking applications such as Facebook are starting to see usage by more professional users. These applications also provide a relatively simple method of increase your network.

Tip #2: Use a free conference calling offering

In the last handful of years, there has been escalating levels of cross-functional integration between geographically diverse alternative fuels lobbying groups. One cause of this trend has been reduced air travel costs – a trend that may now be going the opposite direction with the leaping oil costs mentioned earlier.

A separate reason is the availability of the types of free conference calling services described earlier. Most of these services, including those offered by Rondee operate on the same core idea. They offer you a personal access number and a toll number to call. If all teleconference participants dial the same number and enter the same PIN code, they are placed into the conference phone call.

Tip #3: Investigate technologies to enable desktop sharing

Some alternative fuels advocacy groups have far flung leadership groups, and it is difficult to expect face-to-face meetings. Technology is solving this problem by way of desktop sharing. Whether it's sharing a PowerPoint presentation displaying the group's fundraising initiatives or a spreadsheet showing the tracking of volunteer participation desktop sharing can be very useful for many green groups.

Tip #4: Use an electronic newsletter platform

It wasn't that long ago that sending out an email newsletter was time consuming and tiresome. That has now changed. On-line systems are making it possible to create templated and scalable newsletters. These solutions slash the work load by at approximately ninety percent and in so doing enable green organizations to concentrate on content creation as opposed to delivery of messages.