Essembly can be used as a social networking site that is issue based.  A feature of Essembly is the "Resolve" questions that are framed like an LD Debate question requesting that a given person take a stance and then communicate his or her position.  This can encourage active participation among some of the more enthuastic volunteers.  You can also use Essembly as an informal poll to your membership or to establish the positions on issues from the organization.