OBFS is using the Ride Share service RideBuzz to help members traveling to the 2011 Annual Meeting coordinate their travel and cut a little carbon.

How do I get started on Ridebuzz?
The first step is to register and create an account at the RideBuzz site. Unfortunately, we can’t link your OBFS account directly to RideBuzz. You can register here. 

After filling out their simple form, they will send you an email with a verification link. You will be prompted to edit your brief profile, which can be as detailed or as vague as you like.  This is also where you can set your preferences for notification of ride matches.

Navigate to the OBFS Ride Share Board:

http://www.ridebuzz.org/events-group/organization-biological-field-stations-15254.html

In order to post a ride, you must be logged in! If you are looking for a ride to share, check the posted rides, and see who is a match. If you don’t see a match, then post your trip details too, and maybe you’ll be able to combine trips.

The form will ask you for this information:

• Choose whether you need a ride, or can offer a ride
• Enter the date you will be traveling
• Specify exact location
• For this meeting, this is a onetime trip, not a commute
• Enter any notes you feel are pertinent (e.g. “I’ll bring yummy snacks”, or “I’m allergic to fragrances”)
• Select your audience. We recommend selecting any groups you may want to notify, as well as leaving the post public in order to maximize your chances of finding a ride.
• Submit!

How private is my information at RideBuzz?
According to their privacy policy, unless you chose to give it out, your name and email will not be published or given to another Ridebuzz user. Your profile is as private as you chose to make it.

Your posts, however, have varying degrees of privacy - you can make it so only specific groups can see your posting, or so that unregistered visitors to the site can see, depending on your levels of comfort/need for a ride.  I have not experienced any spam in over a month of using RideBuzz.