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Mono Council approves new social media policy

May 4, 2017   ·   0 Comments

By Jasen Obermeyer

Mono Council has approved of a new social media policy, designed to help the Town communicate with its residents effectively and efficiently.

Although Mono isn’t the first area council with this sort of policy (Dufferin County has one), this is the Town’s own version.

The policy governs the use of corporate social media sites to further the business of the Town of Mono while protecting and promoting the Town’s image and reputation. It is designed to increase awareness of municipal services, events and activities, so residents can plan ahead, along with correcting and sharing information with the other municipalities, so the Town can get a better understanding of its residences’ views.

“We are wanting to ensure that we are trying to get the information about our town and how it operates and the things that are important to our residents out through every channel we can,” says Mono Mayor Laura Ryan.

She says they will investigate using Facebook and Twitter “in order to be assured we’re doing everything within the guidelines of transparency and at the same time making sure that it’s clear and effective messaging.”

Moving forward with the policy approved, it will begin shortly with the County Administrative Officer (CAO) directing specific staff to start the processes and create the social media accounts. The CAO approves all social media activity.

In regards to Facebook, Twitter, and even Instagram, the Town will only follow relevant organizations including government agencies, organizations, community groups and other parties where there is a clear link in communicating and receiving information.

Comments not allowed on Town sites are anything profane and unrelated to the Town; discriminatory remarks, attacks on others, sexual content, illegal activity and inappropriate material. The Town has the right to remove any inappropriate content.

Mayor Ryan says council members, staff, and representatives will be assisted on possible pitfalls they can get into, what they can send out, and to keep their personal online and work online presence separate. Council members are prohibited from engaging with social media accounts during council meetings.

Asked how this policy came about, Mayor Ryan said realizing everybody’s got a different way of wanting to be communicated to. “With the interest in social media, we thought we should start an effort of trying to attract those that currently do use and pleased with what it offers them.”

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