WESTLOCK – Westlock County councillors have gotten a look at the municipality’s first-ever social media policy that will govern its usage by politicians, staff and even volunteers.
County inter-governmental advisor Jared Shaigec quickly walked councillors through the four-page Policy 1900-005 Social Media at their Aug. 15 committee of the whole (COW) meeting, with the document expected to be back in September for final approval.
“It’s good,” said Coun. Stuart Fox-Robinson, who moved that the document come back to a regular council meeting.
In a follow-up interview Aug. 16, CAO Tony Kulbisky said there was a start of a policy to govern social media usage on the books, but it never got finished. Ultimately, the document, which “establishes guidelines and standards”, states that the county supports the use of social media to “support and advance its goal of providing open, transparent, and two-way communication with its residents and key stakeholders.”
It further states that social media platforms are meant to “complement traditional media channels, marketing methods, and mediums” to drive traffic to the county’s website, which is the main source for information regarding its programs and services. Specifically, the policy will apply to council, county employees, members of county boards, committees and commissions, volunteers and contractors providing services on behalf of the municipality.
Specifically, they’re barred from posting anything that can “negatively impact the county’s reputation” as well as negative comments about councillors, employees, contractors, volunteers, and members of the public. Further, they cannot disclose “confidential information associated with the county, employees, members of the community, or any other individual or entity” and are barred from representing themselves as communicating on behalf of the municipality or using county “logos or trademarks” without consent.
Kulbisky said they policy isn’t a knee-jerk reaction to any recent incidents but is one that’s needed in 2023. Ultimately, the communications coordinator, with direction from the CAO, is responsible for managing the municipality’s social media presence and coordinating social media initiatives to ensure “quality and effectiveness, as well as alignment with the county’s strategic plan, policies, and procedures.”
Meanwhile, councillors must ensure that their use of social media is consistent with and in compliance with the county’s code of conduct for elected and appointed officials bylaw, as well as the provisions of the document.
“I think the way that we’re approaching it is that once we post something on our Westlock County Facebook page, the members of council are simply sharing the official post … they can add their own little spin to it, but they’re just sharing the words of the official statement as to what we’re putting out there,” said Kulbisky, noting only two councillors are active on social media. “If we do it that way it protects everybody so that there’s one message going out.”
The policy also goes on to note that while the municipality acknowledges and respects the rights of employees who choose to “post, comment, or otherwise participate in social media activities” and that they can express their views as private citizens, they may be held “accountable for off-duty conduct.”
