Social Media Page

Social Media Guidelines

Initially considered simply a way to socialize with friends, “social media” platforms, such as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, are now established as major media channels. These sites let individuals build and utilize personal social networks among friends, family, and colleagues. Both for-profit and nonprofit organizations are using social media as well to build and support their brands, drive engagement, support products, increase unit participation.

Unit Website Guidelines

We've long recognized that unit sites created by individuals at the unit level of Scouting are essentially personal, and therefore beyond the National Council’s control or liability. We do offer advisory guidelines to those who publish Scouting-related sites on their own responsibility, and we urge local councils to take the same approach. These guidelines are established to help avoid several common mistakes.

A Word about Social Media

Initially considered simply a way to socialize with friends, social media platforms such as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are now established as major media channels. These sites let individuals build and utilize personal social networks among Scouts, parents, and potential Scout families. Scouting organizations are using social media as well to build and support unit recognition, drive engagements, increase unit participation.

Used properly, these media can be an excellent way for Scouting councils [and Units] to start a conversation with their audiences by informing, connecting, and attracting them to Scouting. There are no hard and fast rules in this new media landscape, aside from the abiding commitment of the BSA to protect children from inappropriate material and maintain the privacy of its membership. Social media constitute a new form of digital communication providing interaction and dialogue around user-generated content. They go beyond merely pushing content to a reader. Units (packs, troops, and crews) wishing to exploit social media must accept the fact that listening is just as important as speaking in these channels and Scouters wishing to play in this space should be prepared to do so if they are to reap any value. With that in mind, we encourage those intending to use social media on behalf of Scouting to note the following:
Social media has to be monitored. A qualified volunteer should have responsibility to monitor social media channels.
Social media takes a thick skin. Negative conversations are happening already, but now you have a voice in the conversation. Don't delete negative comments.
Let your audience talk about you. By posting content regularly, you can tell your story and encourage conversations in the community. Be Scout-like. When disagreeing with others' opinions, remain appropriate and polite. Use as social media as an advertising tool to promote your unit's program, increase engagement by scout families and advertise to potential scout families.

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Marketing/Resources/SocialMedia.aspx