A New Media Forum at the Archdiocese of Boston on February 8, 2012, presented by Pilot New Media, part of the Pilot Meda Group of the Archdiocese of Boston.

1. Effective Social Media
for Parishes
New Media Forum 2012
presented by Pilot New Media of the Pilot Media Group
Catholic Media Secretariat of the Archdiocese of Boston

2. Welcome
Scot Landry
Secretary for Catholic Media

3. Effective Social Media for Parishes
Schedule
12:45 - Welcome and Introductions - Scot Landry
1:00 - What is social media and why do we care about it? - Scot Landry
1:30 - Creating social media sites for your parish - Dom Bettinelli
2:15 - Break
2:30 - Guidelines for using social media safely - Steve McDevitt
2:45 - Questions/Discussion
3:15 - End

4. Effective Social Media for Parishes
Pilot New Media, TGCL, & RCAB Team
Dom Bettinelli Karla Goncalves Rick Heil Anna Johnson
Scot Landry George Martell Stacia Morabito Steven McDevitt

5. Catholic Media Secretariat
Established July 1, 2010
Pope Benedict XVI has called the Church to embrace media tools for the Church’s primary mission – sharing the Good News
of Jesus Christ.
Cardinal Sean seeks to have the tools of media evangelization in one group, to foster innovation, allow for quicker response
and be more effective.
The Catholic Media Secretariat is corporately part of BCTV Inc.
BCTV Inc. / Catholic Media Secretariat
CatholicTV Network Pilot Media Group Radio Apostolate
• CatholicTV • Pilot Catholic Newspaper • The Good Catholic Life Program
• CatholicTV.com • PilotCatholicNews.com • English - Collaboration w/WQOM
• iCatholic.com • Pilot Catholic Directory • Spanish (hopefully in the future)
• CatholicTVjr. • Pilot Bulletins • Portuguese (hopefully in the future)
• etc. • Pilot Printing
• Pilot New Media

6. Why embrace digital media?
Pope Benedict XVI (2010)
“Without fear we must set sail on the digital sea, facing into the deep
with the same passion that has governed the ship of the Church for
two thousand years…[W]e want to qualify ourselves by living in the
digital world with a believer’s heart, helping to give a soul to the
Internet’s incessant flow of communication.”

7. Why embrace digital media?
Bishop Ron Herzog, USCCB Chair of Communications Committee (2011)
“Although social media has been around for less than 10 years, it
doesn’t have the makings of a fad. We’re being told that it is
causing as fundamental a shift in communication patterns and
behavior as the printing press did 500 years ago. And I don’t think I
have to remind you of what happened when the Catholic Church
was slow to adapt to that new technology,” [referencing the
Protestant Reformation.]

8. Important Forms of Digital Media
Websites (October 2011) - pilotnewmedia.com/parishwebsites
Mobile applications & versions of websites
Social Media (Today’s Topic)
Blogs
Video (YouTube, Vimeo, Ustream)

9. What is social media?
A type of online media or website that allows and fosters conversation and
dialogue among groups of people
Traditional media typically delivers content in one direction (broadcast), but
doesn’t allow readers/listeners/viewers to participate in the creation or
development of the content
“Social media essentially is a category of online media where people are
talking, participating, sharing, networking, and bookmarking online.” (Ron
Jones, Internet marketing consultant)

10. What is social media?
There are dozens of social media sites, but we will focus on three
main ones here.
Facebook
Twitter
Google+

11. What is social media?
Facebook is like a bulletin board where you can post updates on your life,
thoughts on current events, photos, links to interesting websites.
Twitter is similar except it has a limit of 140 characters per update. That
creates a faster paced and pithy style of conversation and sharing.
Google+ combines the best aspects of Facebook and Twitter, eliminating much
of the clutter of Facebook while giving more flexibility than Twitter. And it has
a different and perhaps better way to organize your social circle.

12. Facebook
800 million active users
More than 50% log on in any given day
Average user is connected to 80 community pages, groups,
and events
Has 130 friends
http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?statistics

13. Twitter
500 million users total by March; 250 million active users
(those using on a daily basis) by end of 2012
http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/twitter-active-total-users_b17655

14. Google Plus
Launched last July in private beta and opened to the public
in November
Has 90 million users already
On track to have 400 million by end of 2012
Because it is integrally connected to Google search, content
on Google+ potentially has a very wide reach
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2012/01/google-claims-90-million-google-users-60-active-daily.ars
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/12/google-may-reach-400-million-users-by-end-of-2012.html

15. Isn’t social media a waste of time?
Studies show that people’s use of Facebook and Twitter correlate to greater in-
person social interactions. People who are social online are social offline.
http://www.exacttarget.com/resources/SFF_7.pdf
It has come to be an essential medium for Moms. Moms spend more time
online daily than the general population and moms are highly active on
Facebook, with 62% of American mothers having a profile there.
http://www.edisonresearch.com/home/archives/2011/08/moms-and-media-2011.php

16. Why is social media important to my parish or
ministry?
After they check their email, the most common website people go to every morning is Facebook.
It has become a place for people to have a profile, even if they never use it, except as a way to be connected.
It’s their permanent contact information, the place where you can connect with them even if they move or change their
email or phone number.
People want to get information about the things that interest them the most: movies, TV shows, causes, events, and
organizations.
Twitter allows people to be connected and share what’s on their mind from their computer or their smartphone or
wherever, in short bursts.

17. Pastoral Planning opportunity
Parish Service Teams (PSTs) serving more than one parish
can have multiple social media pages/sites for their various
ministries and repurpose the same content across all of
them, if necessary. Allows communication through a central
medium. Do more with less.

18. New Media Trivia Question
What was the purpose of Cardinal Seán’s trip
that became the first entries in his blog in 2006?

19. Getting Started
Domenico Bettinelli, Jr.
Creative Director, Pilot New Media

20. What is social media?
Credit for original version: http://instagr.am/p/nm695/

21. What is social media?
Twitter: “I’m eating a donut.”
Credit for original version: http://instagr.am/p/nm695/

22. What is social media?
Twitter: “I’m eating a donut.”
Facebook: “I like donuts.”
Credit for original version: http://instagr.am/p/nm695/

23. What is social media?
Twitter: “I’m eating a donut.”
Facebook: “I like donuts.”
Foursquare: “This is where I eat donuts.”
Credit for original version: http://instagr.am/p/nm695/

24. What is social media?
Twitter: “I’m eating a donut.”
Facebook: “I like donuts.”
Foursquare: “This is where I eat donuts.”
Instagram: “Here’s a vintage photo of my donut.”
Credit for original version: http://instagr.am/p/nm695/

25. What is social media?
Twitter: “I’m eating a donut.”
Facebook: “I like donuts.”
Foursquare: “This is where I eat donuts.”
Instagram: “Here’s a vintage photo of my donut.”
YouTube: “Watch me eating a donut.”
Credit for original version: http://instagr.am/p/nm695/

26. What is social media?
Twitter: “I’m eating a donut.”
Facebook: “I like donuts.”
Foursquare: “This is where I eat donuts.”
Instagram: “Here’s a vintage photo of my donut.”
YouTube: “Watch me eating a donut.”
LinkedIn: “My skills include donut eating.”
Credit for original version: http://instagr.am/p/nm695/

27. What is social media?
Twitter: “I’m eating a donut.”
Facebook: “I like donuts.”
Foursquare: “This is where I eat donuts.”
Instagram: “Here’s a vintage photo of my donut.”
YouTube: “Watch me eating a donut.”
LinkedIn: “My skills include donut eating.”
Pinterest: “Here’s a donut recipe. And a beautiful photo of it.”
Credit for original version: http://instagr.am/p/nm695/

28. What is social media?
Twitter: “I’m eating a donut.”
Facebook: “I like donuts.”
Foursquare: “This is where I eat donuts.”
Instagram: “Here’s a vintage photo of my donut.”
YouTube: “Watch me eating a donut.”
LinkedIn: “My skills include donut eating.”
Pinterest: “Here’s a donut recipe. And a beautiful photo of it.”
Last.fm: “Listening to a song about donuts.”
Credit for original version: http://instagr.am/p/nm695/

29. What is social media?
Twitter: “I’m eating a donut.”
Facebook: “I like donuts.”
Foursquare: “This is where I eat donuts.”
Instagram: “Here’s a vintage photo of my donut.”
YouTube: “Watch me eating a donut.”
LinkedIn: “My skills include donut eating.”
Pinterest: “Here’s a donut recipe. And a beautiful photo of it.”
Last.fm: “Listening to a song about donuts.”
Google+: “I’m a Google employee who eats donuts.”
Credit for original version: http://instagr.am/p/nm695/

30. Effective Social Media for Your Parish
“I already have a website. Why do I need social media?”

31. “I already have a website. Why do I need social media?”

32. “I already have a website. Why do I need social media?”
Your website is a

33. “I already have a website. Why do I need social media?”
Your website is a destination

34. “I already have a website. Why do I need social media?”
Your website is a destination
Social media is a

35. “I already have a website. Why do I need social media?”
Your website is a destination
Social media is a gateway

36. “I already have a website. Why do I need social media?”

37. “I already have a website. Why do I need social media?”
You don’t just expect people to wander in the door of your parish.

38. “I already have a website. Why do I need social media?”

39. “I already have a website. Why do I need social media?”

40. “I already have a website. Why do I need social media?”

41. “I already have a website. Why do I need social media?”

42. “I already have a website. Why do I need social media?”
Relationships

43. “I already have a website. Why do I need social media?”
Meaningful Relationships

44. “I already have a website. Why do I need social media?”
Meaningful Relationships
Engagement

45. “I already have a website. Why do I need social media?”
Meaningful Relationships
Engagement
Dialogue

46. Effective Social Media for Your Parish
“I’m a priest. Do I need social media?”

47. “I’m a priest. Do I need social media?”

48. “I’m a priest. Do I need social media?”
Not every priest needs to be on Facebook/Twitter/Google+

49. “I’m a priest. Do I need social media?”
Not every priest needs to be on Facebook/Twitter/Google+
But every parish does

50. Effective Social Media for Your Parish
“How do I find the time to maintain a social media site?”

51. “How do I find the time to maintain a social media site?”

52. “How do I find the time to maintain a social media site?”
Automation
5 minutes per day
30 minutes per week
Spread out the workload

53. Effective Social Media for Your Parish
Creating your Social Media page

54. Creating your Social Media page

55. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook

56. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook
Page vs. Profile vs. Group

57. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook
Page vs. Profile vs. Group
Profile is an individual, a person
Page is a brand, public figure, cause, or organization
Group is for small group communication

58. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook

59. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook

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Facebook.com/stanthonyfresno

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95. Creating your Social Media page
www.stanthonyfresno.com

96. Creating your Social Media page

97. Creating your Social Media page

98. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook
Content

99. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook Content

100. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook Content
Check-in at the parish
Photos
Prayer requests
Discussion points
Parish, diocesan, national, international news

101. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook Content

102. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook Content
Separate Pages for each ministry

103. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook Content
Separate Pages for each ministry
Youth Ministry
Religious Education
Young Adults
Moms
Men’s Group

104. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook Content

105. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook Content

106. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook Content
Photos Web links

107. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook Content
Photos Web links
Push your content higher on user’s News Feeds

108. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook Content

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Facebook Content

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Facebook Content
Add related pages to your page’s favorites

111. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook Content
Add related pages to your page’s favorites

112. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook Content
Add related pages to your page’s favorites

113. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook Content

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Facebook Content

115. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook Content
Use @ tags when mentioning other Pages so that
your content shows on their Page Wall.

116. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook Content
Use @ tags when mentioning other Pages so that
your content shows on their Page Wall.
@

117. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook Content
Use @ tags when mentioning other Pages so that
your content shows on their Page Wall.
@ BostonCatholic

118. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook Content
Use @ tags when mentioning other Pages so that
your content shows on their Page Wall.
@ BostonCatholic

119. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook Content
Use @ tags when mentioning other Pages so that
your content shows on their Page Wall.
@ BostonCatholic

120. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook Content
Use @ tags when mentioning other Pages so that
your content shows on their Page Wall.
@ BostonCatholic

121. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook

122. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook

123. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook
Advanced Topics

124. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook
Advanced Topics
Facebook ads

125. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook
Advanced Topics
Facebook ads Auto-post from the website

126. Creating your Social Media page
Facebook
Advanced Topics
Facebook ads Facebook events Auto-post from the website

127. Creating your Social Media page

128. Creating your Social Media page
Twitter

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Twitter

130. Creating your Social Media page
Twitter
Microblog
Social Network
Real-Time Information Network
Social Search Engine

131. Creating your Social Media page
Twitter

132. Creating your Social Media page
Twitter
What’s on your mind?

133. Creating your Social Media page
Twitter
What’s on your mind in 140 characters or less ?

134. Creating your Social Media page
Twitter

135. Creating your Social Media page
Twitter

136. Creating your Social Media page
Twitter
Direct Message (DM): A private note between two users. They must follow each other.

137. Creating your Social Media page
Twitter
Direct Message (DM): A private note between two users. They must follow each other.
Follow: The act of following someone on Twitter, i.e. seeing their Tweets in your timeline. There is no obligation to
follow back, but for some it’s good manners. You can block abusive followers, such as spammers.

138. Creating your Social Media page
Twitter
Direct Message (DM): A private note between two users. They must follow each other.
Follow: The act of following someone on Twitter, i.e. seeing their Tweets in your timeline. There is no obligation to
follow back, but for some it’s good manners. You can block abusive followers, such as spammers.
Hashtags: Words or abbreviations preceded by a # (no spaces). Like a subject line or a topic. Often used for tweets
about a particular event.

139. Creating your Social Media page
Twitter
Direct Message (DM): A private note between two users. They must follow each other.
Follow: The act of following someone on Twitter, i.e. seeing their Tweets in your timeline. There is no obligation to
follow back, but for some it’s good manners. You can block abusive followers, such as spammers.
Hashtags: Words or abbreviations preceded by a # (no spaces). Like a subject line or a topic. Often used for tweets
about a particular event.
ReTweet (RT): Forwarding someone else’s Tweet to your followers.

140. Creating your Social Media page
Twitter
Direct Message (DM): A private note between two users. They must follow each other.
Follow: The act of following someone on Twitter, i.e. seeing their Tweets in your timeline. There is no obligation to
follow back, but for some it’s good manners. You can block abusive followers, such as spammers.
Hashtags: Words or abbreviations preceded by a # (no spaces). Like a subject line or a topic. Often used for tweets
about a particular event.
ReTweet (RT): Forwarding someone else’s Tweet to your followers.
Reply/Mention: Putting @ and another username in your Tweet means that user will usually get a notification. Can
be used for conversations or to send a public message.

141. Creating your Social Media page
Twitter

142. Creating your Social Media page
Twitter

143. Creating your Social Media page
Twitter
Check out my first Tweet!

144. Creating your Social Media page
Twitter
Check out my first Tweet! #bostonparish

145. Creating your Social Media page
Twitter
@BostonCatholic Check out my first Tweet! #bostonparish

146. Creating your Social Media page
Twitter
d BostonCatholic Check out my first Tweet! #bostonparish

147. Creating your Social Media page
Twitter
RT @StAnyName Check out my first Tweet! #bostonparish

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Twitter

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Twitter

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Twitter

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Twitter

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183. Creating your Social Media page
Twitter.com/BostonCatholic

184. Creating your Social Media page

185. Creating your Social Media page
Twitter
Content

186. Creating your Social Media page
TwitterContent

187. Creating your Social Media page
TwitterContent
Event-based tweeting
Parish mission, youth ministry outing, parish picnic
Breaking news and announcements
Quick hits: daily verses, prayers
Retweet others, create a conversation, curate content of community interest
Follow others, follow those who follow you

188. Creating your Social Media page

189. Creating your Social Media page

190. Creating your Social Media page
Google Plus

191. Creating your Social Media page
Google Plus

192. Creating your Social Media page
Google Plus
Search-engine optimization
Video “hangouts”
Organizing and segregating your audience

193. Creating your Social Media page
Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

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Google Plus

219. Creating your Social Media page
Google Plus

220. Creating your Social Media page
Google Plus
Content

221. Creating your Social Media page
Google Plus Content

222. Creating your Social Media page
Google Plus Content
Meetings

223. Creating your Social Media page
Google Plus Content
Hangouts

224. Creating your Social Media page
Google Plus Content
Hangouts

225. Creating your Social Media page
Google Plus Content
Hangouts

226. Creating your Social Media page

227. Effective Social Media for Your Parish
Best Practices for All

228. Best Practices for All

229. Best Practices for All
Photos! Lots of Photos!

230. Best Practices for All
Photos! Lots of Photos!
Divide up responsibility for different audiences

231. Best Practices for All
Photos! Lots of Photos!
Divide up responsibility for different audiences
Social media is not just for teens or young adults

232. Best Practices for All
Photos! Lots of Photos!
Divide up responsibility for different audiences
Social media is not just for teens or young adults
Spend some time getting a sense of how others use the platform. Learn the culture.

233. Best Practices for All
Photos! Lots of Photos!
Divide up responsibility for different audiences
Social media is not just for teens or young adults
Spend some time getting a sense of how others use the platform. Learn the culture.
Start slow, 4-6 posts/week on Facebook; 4-6/day on Twitter

234. Best Practices for All
Photos! Lots of Photos!
Divide up responsibility for different audiences
Social media is not just for teens or young adults
Spend some time getting a sense of how others use the platform. Learn the culture.
Start slow, 4-6 posts/week on Facebook; 4-6/day on Twitter
Look for good information posted by others and re-share to your audience

235. Best Practices for All
Photos! Lots of Photos!
Divide up responsibility for different audiences
Social media is not just for teens or young adults
Spend some time getting a sense of how others use the platform. Learn the culture.
Start slow, 4-6 posts/week on Facebook; 4-6/day on Twitter
Look for good information posted by others and re-share to your audience
Find your unique voice/personality. Social media wants authenticity.

236. Best Practices for All
Photos! Lots of Photos!
Divide up responsibility for different audiences
Social media is not just for teens or young adults
Spend some time getting a sense of how others use the platform. Learn the culture.
Start slow, 4-6 posts/week on Facebook; 4-6/day on Twitter
Look for good information posted by others and re-share to your audience
Find your unique voice/personality. Social media wants authenticity.
Encourage staff & volunteers to be active

237. Best Practices for All
Photos! Lots of Photos!
Divide up responsibility for different audiences
Social media is not just for teens or young adults
Spend some time getting a sense of how others use the platform. Learn the culture.
Start slow, 4-6 posts/week on Facebook; 4-6/day on Twitter
Look for good information posted by others and re-share to your audience
Find your unique voice/personality. Social media wants authenticity.
Encourage staff & volunteers to be active
Promote to your parishioners. Encourage them to use it.

238. Best Practices for All
Photos! Lots of Photos!
Divide up responsibility for different audiences
Social media is not just for teens or young adults
Spend some time getting a sense of how others use the platform. Learn the culture.
Start slow, 4-6 posts/week on Facebook; 4-6/day on Twitter
Look for good information posted by others and re-share to your audience
Find your unique voice/personality. Social media wants authenticity.
Encourage staff & volunteers to be active
Promote to your parishioners. Encourage them to use it.
Links from your website, letterhead, email signatures, yard sign, etc.

239. Best Practices for All

240. Best Practices for All
Spammers and Trolls

241. Best Practices for All
Spammers and Trolls
Keep watch!

242. Best Practices for All

243. Best Practices for All
Tools

244. Best Practices for All
Tools
Hootsuite.com

245. Best Practices for All
Tools
Hootsuite.com
Tweetdeck and other PC apps

246. Best Practices for All
Tools
Hootsuite.com
Tweetdeck and other PC apps
iPhone and Android apps

247. Best Practices for All
Tools
Hootsuite.com
Tweetdeck and other PC apps
iPhone and Android apps Twitterfeed.com

248. Best Practices for All
Tools
Hootsuite.com
Tweetdeck and other PC apps PublishSync
iPhone and Android apps Twitterfeed.com

249. Best Practices for All
Tools
Hootsuite.com More
Tweetdeck and other PC apps PublishSync
iPhone and Android apps Twitterfeed.com

250. Tools
Hootsuite.com More
Tweetdeck and other PC apps PublishSync
iPhone and Android apps Twitterfeed.com

252. Other Social Media

253. Other Social Media
LinkedIn
YouTube
Flickr
Foursquare
Pinterest
The Next Big Thing

254. Social Media
Guidelines
Steven McDevitt
Director of Information Technology

255. Social Media Guidelines
2010
• US Conference of Catholic Bishops communications office
issues social media guidelines intended to help dioceses
formulate their own
• RCAB issues first draft of social media guidelines for
parishes and ministries based largely on the USCCB
guidelines.

256. Social Media Guidelines
Not exhaustive
Common sense
Supplemental to code of ministerial conduct
Not just restrictive, but also prescriptive for good ministry
Protects laity, clergy, children, and the Church

257. USCCB Guidelines
Visibility
Community
Accountability

258. USCCB Guidelines
Define appropriate boundaries for communication
Codes of conduct posted on social networking sites
Provide instructions for parish personnel, especially those new to social media
Provide recommendations on how to deal with difficult “fans.”
Provide trusted sites for reference, and recommend that site administrators
have a thorough knowledge of these sites.
Remind site administrators they are posting for a broad audience

259. USCCB Guidelines
Rules of the Road
Abide by diocesan/parish guidelines.
Know that even personal communication by church personnel reflects the Church. Practice what you preach.
Write in first person. Do not claim to represent the official position of the organization or the teachings of the
Church, unless authorized to do so.
Identify yourself. Do not use pseudonyms or the name of the parish, program, etc., as your identity, unless
authorized to do so.
Abide by copyright, fair use, and IRS financial disclosure regulations.
Do not divulge confidential information about others. Nothing posted on the Internet is private.
Don’t cite others, post photos or videos of them, link to their material, etc., without their approval.
Practice Christian charity.

260. USCCB Guidelines
Social Networking with Minors
Permission to contact via social media or post pictures, video, or other
identifying information
Parents must have all access
Save copies of all conversations
Minimum age for most sites is 13 years old
Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (http://www.coppa.org/)

261. USCCB Guidelines
Personal Sites
Reflect Catholic values
Using social media can put you in the public eye
Disclaimer on personal websites

262. USCCB Guidelines
Reporting and monitoring
Unofficial sites bearing archdiocesan or parish logo
Misinformation (Wikipedia, Masstimes.org)
Contact Dom Bettinelli

263. RCAB Social Media Guidelines
“For the purpose of this policy, church personnel means all
employees, volunteers, priests, deacons, and religious sisters and
brothers who work for or represent the Archdiocese of Boston, one of
its Parishes, or any other organization or entity related to the
Archdiocese of Boston or one of its Parishes.”

264. RCAB Social Media Guidelines
Establishing a social media site
Created, maintained, held, controlled by church personnel
Use an official parish or archdiocesan email address, except where not possible, i.e. Facebook
Passwords kept in a central location with access for Pastor
No personal profile information
All content must reflect Catholic faith and values
Account settings maximize privacy of users
Code of Conduct for third-party content
No advertising for non-Church related websites, events, or products. Spam should be deleted.
The individual is responsible for what he or she writes; You represent the Church.

265. RCAB Social Media Guidelines
Compliance with Law and Church Policies
Do not misuse other people’s intellectual property. Just because you find an image in a Google search does not
mean you are free to use it. Assume you are not. There are sources of public domain images online, including
Wikimedia Commons and some photos on Flickr. Likewise with audio and video.
Do not post confidential information related to the Archdiocese or Parish
Inappropriate postings: obscene, harassing, defamatory, offensive, derogatory, or potentially scandalous.
Several archdiocesan policies are operative in social media
Do not mix personal and ministerial sites; don’t cause confusion for the user
Written permission must be obtained before posting pictures or other identifying information of individuals,
especially children. Blanket permission can be sought.

266. RCAB Social Media Guidelines
Contact with Children
Boundary issues are the same as person-to-person communication
The written word lacks the nuance of body language. Be careful of being misunderstood, especially by children.
Parents should always be informed on contact with their children via social media.
Parents should be able to receive the same information their children if not in the same medium.
Receive permission from parents before communicating with minors online or when posting any information
about their children online
All contact information should come from parents, not from children directly.
Individual church personnel should not “friend” children in ministry from their personal profiles nor should they
seek them out online to be added to ministry social networking sites.
Save copies of all conversations, especially if it involves personal sharing. Inappropriate communication should
be reported immediately.

267. RCAB Social Media Guidelines
Personal sites
Disclaimer
You represent the Church, even on personal sites.
Reflect Catholic values
Do not use for professional or ministerial purposes
Do not use Archdiocesan or parish logos or trademarks

268. RCAB Social Media Guidelines
Monitoring and Discipline
The Archdiocese and Parish should monitor all official social media sites and delete all inappropriate material
promptly.
They reserve the right to monitor personal sites.
Violation of policies or laws may subject personnel to discipline.
Monitor third-party groups or unofficial pages or websites for inappropriate content or inaccuracies.

269. Effective Social Media
for Parishes
http://www.pilotnewmedia.com/parishsocialmedia
http://www.bostoncatholiclive.com
http://www.bostoncatholicvideos.com
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