SUNDRE – Council recently approved a small change to the Town of Sundre's social media policy that replaced a list of specific platforms with a single, all-encompassing reference.
“There were just some very minor changes recommended,” said Linda Nelson, chief administrative officer, during a council meeting last month.
The section outlining definitions previously included a list that named the numerous social media platforms used by the town.
The bylaw and policy review committee recommended removing that list and replacing it with a single reference of “social media channels.”
“Rather than listing all of the types of social media channels, council felt because it changes so much all the time that we should remove that list” and for the section to “simply read ‘social media channels’ means common and popular social media sites used by the Town to share opinions and information, promote discussion and build relationships,” said Nelson.
Coun. Jaime Marr moved to approve the amended policy.
“I think it was great that we were able to recognize that technology is so fast moving; this aged out so quickly,” said Marr.
Among the dated platforms on the list were some that have since either become scarcely used or even outright defunct, such as Myspace, Picasa, and SlideShare.
Marr also asserted that while social media can be beneficial, it also presents challenges, making the policy necessary.
“Sometimes social media can be such a toxic, awful place,” she said.
“But it can sometimes be amazing.”
Coun. Todd Dalke asked if the policy prioritized the town’s official website and app as the first places information or public notices would be posted.
“Is there anything in this policy for a proper expectation that any new post information-wise on social media will be initially posted onto our website and app before going to social media?” said Dalke.
“Without the distinction I wonder if that’s a cloudy area,” the councillor said, expressing a desire to avoid a situation where the public finds information or notices posted on social media that isn’t yet available on the town’s website or app.
“It would be nice just to see that it will always be posted to our website first,” he said.
Nelson said the councillor’s concern ought to be covered under the policy’s Section 6, Single Entity and Voice, which in part states that, “social media accounts will be maintained with a single ‘voice’ being representative of the town as a whole organization and be maintained as consistently as possible with the broader communication goals of the town in mind.”
Mayor Richard Warnock further added that if a social media post has a link “to the town website, it’s already got to be on the town website,” to which Dalke agreed.
Council went onto carry Marr’s motion unanimously.
