Aero Manufacturing Co

Village of Roselle
SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

Section 1: Summary and Purpose
Engaging in communications via online social networking provides the Village of Roselle with additional internet-based media for public outreach. The Village has made a commitment to communicate with residents, business owners, and other stakeholder groups, many of which are increasingly using social media platforms as a method of receiving and sharing information. For purposes of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, and Section 4 of the Constitution of the State of Illinois, the Village’s Social Media platforms are limited forums.
Social media outlets provide a platform that fosters instant communication and promotes further sharing of information. The goal of the Village’s social media communications is to serve as an online information source focused on Village issues, projects, news, and events. The purpose for use of social media sites is to disseminate useful information about the Village relating to the Village mission, meetings, activities, current issues, Village sponsored-events, public safety, economic development, and the promotion and marketing of the Village.
Section 2: Definitions
“Social Media” is an umbrella term that encompasses the various activities that integrate social interaction and content creation. Social media includes many technologies and forums, such as blogs, photo and video sharing, podcasts, Twitter, Facebook, and other emerging online applications. “Posts” or “postings” refer to the original content created by the Village that is uploaded to a social media site. A “commenter” is a member of the public who submits a statement of observation based on a Village posting. A “comment” is a response submitted by a commenter to a posting.
Section 3: Guiding Principles
1. All official Village of Roselle pages on social media websites are considered an extension of the Village’s information networks and therefore its usage by employees is governed by the Information Systems Policies and Guidelines contained within the Village of Roselle Personnel Policy Manual and/or other applicable Department policies, orders, and procedures. All employees remain fully obligated in all circumstances to conform to the Village’s Information and Systems Policies and Guidelines.
2. Designees appointed by the Village Administrator shall be responsible for the creation, administration, and monitoring of official Village of Roselle accounts on social media sites in accordance with adopted guidelines.
3. Information from all Village Departments may appear on an official Village social media site. Individual departments that wish to create their own social media sites must first receive approval from the Village Administrator.
4. Postings on Village social media sites may only be made through official Village accounts that are recognizable as being affiliated with the Village. The Village’s official logo and other departmental symbols and logos are the exclusive property of the Village, are legally protected and may not be used by others without the Village’s written consent.
5. Wherever possible, Village social media sites shall link back to the Village of Roselle website for additional information.
6. The Village of Roselle prohibits on its social media websites, and will delete therefrom, comments that contain:
a. obscene, discriminatory, or racist content
b. defamatory or personal attacks, insults, or threatening language
c. potentially libelous statements
d. plagiarized material
e. organized political activity
f. content which appropriates, without permission, the property of another including but not limited to copy written materials, logos, trademarks, etc.
g. Conduct in violation of any federal, state, or local law.
h. The Village reserves the right to manage its social media website by the periodic non-discriminatory deletion of public comments or other postings.
7. A comment posted by the member of the public on any Village social media site is the opinion of the commenter only and publication of a public comment does not imply endorsement of, nor reflect the opinions or policies of the Village.
8. Village of Roselle social media sites shall contain a disclaimer outlining the Village’s acceptable use policies.
9. Freedom of Information Act and e-discovery laws and policies apply to social media content; therefore content shall be managed, stored and retrieved to comply with these laws.
Requests for postings to the Village’s official social media sites shall be made, in writing or e-mail, to the designees appointed through the Village Administrator’s Office to administer the account or via direct messaging features through the social media site.
Section 4: Interactivity
The nature of social networking promotes a great deal of interactivity, whereby users or organizations “like” or “follow” each other online. Official Village social media sites may “like” or “follow” the social media sites of local, state, and federal government organizations, organizations that receive direct financial support from the Village, generally recognized community and/or not-for-profit organizations, and organizations that public safety, promote tourism, industry, and economic welfare within the community, and businesses located within the corporate limits of Roselle.
Anyone may “like” or “follow” the Village of Roselle on social media sites, however individuals displaying profile pictures that do not meet the criteria listed in Section 3 (6) will be “banned” from posting comments to the page. Social media site “followers” may be “blocked” from the Village’s social media page if comments or links violate the Village’s list of prohibited postings.