Introduction
To contribute to the long-term viability of the Qualicum Beach Family History Society (QBFHS) the society uses social media to provide information to existing members, to attract new members, and to build an online presence. Through both the website (www.qbfhs.ca) and various social media platforms, QBFHS aims to raise awareness of the society’s activities among members and others in the genealogy community, as well as among residents in the Oceanside area of Vancouver Island.
Objectives
The objectives of QBFHS’s social media presence are to:
- Provide information to the membership;
- Promote the society and build a presence in the community;
- Grow membership.
Content
QBFHS uses social media to:
- Promote QBFHS events;
- Provide an opportunity for dialogue with/between users;
- Highlight content on its website; and
- Provide resources of interest to the membership.
- Posts will be about QBFHS activities, general and local history, genealogical research, Canadian genealogy resources and other applicable world-wide genealogy resources.
Content not produced by QBFHS should be from trusted sources that will help engage our audience and establish QBFHS as a go-to resource.
Posts and responses to comments made by users must be timely, professional, polite, and friendly.
Any comment, response or post that could be interpreted as a slur, or as demeaning or inflammatory must be avoided.
Copyright must be respected.
Frequency of Posts
In order to ensure optimal engagement with the society’s audience on the various platforms, the Executive will set broad frequency goals and review as needed.
Access to Accounts
Account access for QBFHS’s social media accounts should be limited to two Directors or their delegates. Each Director with access may not necessarily have access to all of the accounts, in order to provide variety in postings, and keep workload manageable.
Granting any type of access remains the responsibility of the Executive.
Conflict of Interest
Those with access to the QBFHS accounts must take care to avoid situations where they could personally benefit or could be seen to be in a position to personally benefit, from their involvement.
Individuals, on recognizing (or being informed of) a potential conflict of interest situation, must be prepared to explain the matter in writing to QBFHS’s Executive and to take the necessary steps to remove themselves from the situation. If the matter is not resolved to the satisfaction of the Executive, the individual’s account access will be removed.
Examples of Conflict of Interest:
- Promoting an event where the person doing the promotion will benefit financially or by reputation; and
- Promoting a company or website, whether directly or indirectly, that the promoter has either created or is associated with.
Monitoring, Feedback and Evaluation
Responsibility for metrics monitoring will be the responsibility of the Vice-President or anyone delegated by this Director or the Executive.
Questions of an operational nature can be answered by anyone who has access to the accounts, with a note to the Vice-President (to gauge interest, types of questions being asked, etc.).
Feedback, questions, and criticisms will be managed by the Vice-President, who will work with the President and other Directors to craft an appropriate response.
The different social media platforms will be evaluated as needed in order to optimize their use.
Annual reporting to the QBFHS Executive on social media is the responsibility of the Vice-President, with input from those who have accounts on social media (such as: Publicity, webmaster and Journal Editor).
Expenditures
All costs associated with the website and social media platforms are reported to the Treasurer and overseen by the Executive.
Changes to Policy
The social media policy will be reviewed by the Executive and updated as needed.
Approved by Executive May 7, 2018