Section 2-8.16 “Official City Social Media”
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines and to establish criteria for the city’s social media
program. Social media is beneficial for connecting with the community and an avenue for
community members to have contact with the city of Andover and to exchange information. Policy
The city of Andover endorses the secure use of social media to enhance communication,
collaboration and information exchange between the city and the community. It is the policy of the
city of Andover that social media be used as a potential valuable means of assisting its personnel in
meeting community outreach, problem-solving objectives and involving citizen feedback in
decisions affecting the community. Posts: Content an individual shares on a social media site or the act of publishing content on a
site. Social media uses
internet and web-based technologies to transform and broadcast media monologues into social
media dialogues. C. Social Networking Sites: A website that provides a social structure made of individuals (or
organizations), which are tied (connected) by one or more specific types of interdependency,
such as friendship, kinship, financial exchange, dislike, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or
prestige. D. Social Networking: The practice of expanding the number of one’s business and/or social
contacts by making connections through individuals. Regulations
A. When posting on the city’s social media sites/pages, Employees shall conduct themselves at all
times as representatives of the city of Andover and, accordingly, shall adhere to all standards of
conduct and observe conventionally accepted protocols and proper decorum. Employees shall not make comments about, post, transmit or otherwise disseminate confidential
information, including photographs and videos and or work related assignments without the
permission and approval of the administration or such designees. Employees shall not use personally owned devices to post on the city’s social media sites/pages
unless authorized by the administration. Employees shall observe and abide by all copyright, trademark and service mark restrictions in
posting materials to social media. E. Employees shall not post content or comments on City Social Media pages that support or
oppose political candidates or ballot propositions. Procedures
A. Operation
1. Administration will monitor the city’s social media sites and/or pages. The
administration shall consist of the city administrator, assistant city administrator, the
IT director and whichever persons/employees of the city of Andover who are
designated by them. The use of an outside paid vendor shall be at the city’s will. a. Any and all city staff should monitor posts/ comments and report
posts/comments that violate terms of the post/comment policy
in the disclaimer and report to the administration immediately.
2. Heads of departments that have a social media site/page shall be responsible for
monitoring posts/comments and take appropriate action against posts/comments
that violate terms of the post/comment policy in the disclaimer. These senior
managers and department heads may choose to delegate this responsibility
but should notify in writing to the city administrator, assistant city administrator
IT director and anyone in addition to themselves charged with administration
responsibilities.
3. Quarterly statistics and/or a summary of activity from social media may be used at
will by the city of Andover. Guidelines
1. All city of Andover social media sites and/or pages shall be approved by the
Administration or designee.
2. The city’s administration will monitor all departments’ social media sites and/or pages.
3. Administration and approved members will monitor social media sites and will take
appropriate action against posts or comments that violate terms outlined in this policy.
4. The social media sites or pages shall clearly indicate they are maintained by the city of
Andover and shall have its contact information prominently displayed. Each city social media site shall include a social media disclaimer and
post/comment policy which can be found on the page under “About Us.”
5. Social media sites and/or pages shall adhere to the applicable federal, state and local
laws, regulations and policies. Content is subject to public records laws. Relevant record’s retention
schedules apply to social media content. b. Content must be managed, stored and retrieved to comply with open record
laws.
6. City of Andover employees should be aware that they may be subject to civil litigation
for:
a. Publishing or posting false information that harms the reputation of another
person, group or organization. Publishing or posting private facts and personal information about
someone without their permission that has not been previously revealed
to the public, is not of legitimate public concern, and would be offensive
to a reasonable person. c. Using someone else’s name, likeness, or other personal attributes
without that person’s permission for an exploitative purpose. d. Publishing the creative work of another, trademarks, or certain
confidential business information without the permission of the owner. Using Social Media Sites/ Pages
1. Social media is a valuable tool when seeking community feedback regarding:
a. General Information about the services offered by the city of Andover. City codes, laws and regulations. Public safety. Environmental concerns.
2. Social media can be used to make time sensitive notifications to include:
a. Weather emergencies;
b. Road closures;
c. Traffic issues;
d. Special events;
e. Recreation programs;
f. Public service announcements;
g. Upbeat positive socially acceptable courtesies and/or commentary;
h. Good deeds. SECTION 2. Effective Date: This Resolution shall become effective on May 13, 2015.
