Orange County NC Website
Orange County Social Media Policy <br />Effective September 30, 2011 <br />Purpose <br />Orange County has recognized the need to augment traditional communication methods with the use of <br />social media channels. Public demand and the rapid growth of social media (aka: Web 2.0) use by other <br />local, state and federal government entities has highlighted the usefulness of social media as an effective <br />mode of enhancing constituent communications. The use of social media presents opportunity and risk to <br />individual County agencies and departments, as well as the County as a whole. In general, the County <br />supports the use of social media technology to enhance communication, collaboration and information <br />exchange to meet business mission and goals. <br />This document establishes the countywide social media use policies, protocols and procedures intended to <br />mitigate associated risks from use of this technology where possible. This policy will be revised and <br />Department social media activity shall be adjusted accordingly, in the event the County changes its <br />direction on social media use. <br />Definitions <br />A. Social Media Network(s) / Site(s) — An online service or site that focuses on building social networks <br />or social relations among people, and permits users of the site to share information, interact and <br />communicate with each other. <br />B. Approved Social Media Site(s) — An online service or site sponsored by the County permitting <br />information exchange, interaction and communication between the public and the County, its Agencies <br />and /or Departments and listed on the Social Media Policy Site Guide. <br />Applicability <br />This policy applies to all Orange County employees and volunteers, interns, consultants, service providers <br />and contractors performing business on behalf of County Agencies/ Departments. <br />Departments using social media technology shall achieve policy compliance within 30 days of the <br />approval of this policy by the County Manager. <br />Implementation <br />The County Manager, or his/her designee, is responsible for facilitating the County's Social Media Policy <br />in compliance with established Board rules and protocols. <br />This includes the responsibility to audit Department use of social media and enforce policy compliance. <br />Within the terms of this policy, Department Heads have authority to determine and establish social media <br />activity at the Department program level. <br />Policy <br />A. Department use of social media technology shall conform to the policies, protocols and <br />procedures contained, or referenced, herein. <br />B. A Department's decision to embrace social media shall be a risk -based business decision <br />approved by the Department Head and supported by a strong business case that considers the <br />Department's mission and goals, audience, legal risks, technical capabilities and potential <br />benefits. <br />