Helping Our Stake Use Social Media Wisely

Why social media

We do not pretend that social media is the best way to communicate within our stake. It is simply one more tool that, when used properly, can help us communicate more effectively with our members and even neighbors. If the Brethren have asked full-time missionaries to replace knocking on doors with daily use of social media…and if members of the First Presidency are now on Facebook…then it is time all of us become more familiar with it, too.

How social media may benefit our stake

·   Enhances our ability to publicize events

·   Encourages stake members to use social media in sharing the gospel

·   Offers a repository for links to other stake Facebook pages, such as the Stake Trek

·   Provides a way for our non-LDS neighbors to learn what is happening in our Church,
including ministers and pastors with whom we’re trying to build a relationship

Steps to implementing a stake presence in social media

·   Launch a Facebook page (completed this week)

·   Encourage stake members to “Like” the stake page, accomplishing two things:
1) Members will see posts about stake activities and events
   2) Members’ friends will begin to see posts about these stake events

·   Begin producing content for the stake Facebook page on a weekly basis, including:
   1) Publicity of stake activities
   2) Follow-up reports with photos of major events, such as the trek
3) Inspirational messages from stake leaders

How do we avoid inappropriate content

The stake Facebook page is currently set up so that anybody can comment or post. We now have three page administrators with the potential for more. These administrators will be tasked to monitor content and remove anything found to be inappropriate or not in line with the stake’s goals. If there are any questionable posts by readers, we can restrict posts to administrators only at any time.

Are we an official Church site?

No, because we have a disclaimer stating we are not an official site for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as directed in Handbook 2 - 21.1.22. Many stakes are now setting up pages for publicity purposes. Our Facebook page will be administered by the Stake Public Affairs Council.