Facebook page/group?

[Zaphod]

We do not have a FB page or group. Some of the boys do but not the unit. I think there are better ways to make oneself known to the community. One way is to be active in the community and actually be seen by people.

When was the last time you said something like, "H'mmm, I think I'm interested in finding a club in our local community...let me check Facebook."? If anyone has EVER asked that question I'm sorry for them.

 

No need to feel sorry for me! I found a great local bike club, a group for sharing historical photos of my community, AND my current job on Facebook. I don't love Facebook, but it's a tool like any other. 

[CA Scout Mom]

Hi Gone--great to hear how Facebook has helped your troop!  What is your Facebook page and where is your troop located, if you don't mind sharing?!  

[ianwilkins]

 

Thoughts?

 

Please bear in mind that I'm posting this from across the pond, so you may have rules or advice to which I'm not party.

 

Maybe consider having a page and a group. A closed group for current members, to communicate when and when you'll be doing something, event sign ups, and so on. Remove people when their children move on. Then an open page that's basically an advert for your troop, showing all the fun things you do, so granny can like the page and see the pictures, camping tips, etc. You'd have to be careful what you post, and the settings under which you post, and the settings for the page, for example, making it so that pictures cannot be tagged for example.

 

Of course, it's a can of worms. It only takes a few inappropriate comments, or a picture that isn't very flattering, or something, and it all kicks off.

 

We have a closed facebook group, and it's mostly members (I help in Explorers, aged 14-17), and some parents, and alumni, and their parents. Interestingly, our most recent batch of recruits aren't on facebook, or won't tell me they are, it's something parents do, or not cool anyway, and so, by avoiding it, they avoid their parents nosing into their life. Though I'm sure that's not the only reason. I've yet to find out what they use, though we have an email list which seems to work, so I'm not really bothered.

 

Ian

Edited June 13, 2016 by ianwilkins

[Back Pack]

I might be wrong but doesn't BSA prohibit the use of closed electronic groups that include youth and adults together? I think I heard that at university of scouting this year but I am no expert.

[JasonG172]

According to the BSA you aren't suppose to have "Closed" Social Media groups.  However everyone I spoke with about mine seemed to state they preferred Closed Groups, So I created mine as well as a Closed Group. 

[Cambridgeskip]

We've got a public "Like" page and a closed group for parents and leaders only.

 

The purpose of the like page is to simply be a public presence on Facebook page. It's a way of posting links to new material on the website, an occasionally photo posted from camp. We don't put too much on it, just a steady trickle to make sure we are there.

 

The group is to really provide a forum for parents. Most importantly to help them arrange lift rotas to camps and the like. If we arrange the lift shares we have to put the parents in question through a criminal records check. A massive hastle. The closed group allows them to do it without our intervention.

 

Most information still goes out by email or is posted on the main website.

[Zaphod]

We started using closed group Facebook as a tool to share pics and last minute event info. I wouldn't want to share pics of the kids along with event info. on a public page. I suppose a Scout could join this group, but it is not like we have to be FB friends for them to do it. If the kid sees our announcements and reminders and stuff then that's probably a good thing. 

 

Facebook is not perfect, but it's the best tool we have access to. Scoutlander is waaaaaay too slow with pics, file sharing software has space limitations (as I found out the hard way when another group completely hosed my Dropbox access by filling a shared folder up with tons of pics). Honestly, Facebook is where most of our parents already are anyway. I will say the the number of parents posting pics has gone up about 1,000% since switching to FB. And that sure is helpful come recruitment time or at events when we make posters or slide shows.

 

Now admittedly, I am more likely to post on FB than communicate some other way (e-mails are ALWAYS ignored and I don't make phone calls). I post links to local events, our pack flyers, or tips for new parents. My biggest pet peeve is the parents who refuse to use FB but feel entitled to access the information I post. 

 

For example last Feb I posted, "The kids will be painting center-pieces for B&G, remember to wear your Pack Ts". This information had been announced at the previous Pack meeting but I I thought a reminder would be helpful. After the meeting, I had a mom (an assistant den leader no less) yell at me for not reminding her some other way. 

 

Why do people think other people owe them something? I am really glad to have crossed over and be done with that for awhile!

[MrBob]

For example last Feb I posted, "The kids will be painting center-pieces for B&G, remember to wear your Pack Ts". This information had been announced at the previous Pack meeting but I I thought a reminder would be helpful. After the meeting, I had a mom (an assistant den leader no less) yell at me for not reminding her some other way. 

 

Sounds like you found a new "volunteer" to be your Pack's Media & Mass-Communications Specialist.