Social media use has become a topic of discussion for the qathet Regional District board.
At its meeting on Thursday, April 25, the regional board was considering a number of initiatives for the Shelter Point and Haywire Bay park campgrounds. One of the initiatives on the list was to take steps to control Facebook pages for both parks/campgrounds.
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne said he has some serious reservations about using Facebook.
“We have issues with privacy and other challenges and that’s why we have specialized email addresses that go through our servers,” said Gisborne. “With our website, we pay for that service. We have it set for security so we don’t have information going out of country.”
Gisborne said Facebook has major security challenges. He added that Facebook is deleting roughly one million fake accounts each day.
“They have about 30,000 people working on security and it’s getting worse all the time,” said Gisborne.
The qathet Regional District website is the preferred platform in order to engage with the public, he added.
“We should have it that our website is where people access us, to find out about our parks and contact us about issues,” said Gisborne. “I don’t think we should be using Facebook.”
Board chair Patrick Brabazon said he suggested Gisborne rethink the matter.
“What you are doing is raising an issue of policy that is far broader than campgrounds,” said Brabazon. “I would prefer that we seriously consider the policy of whether we should be using Facebook in any way, shape or form. In the meantime, since we do, we should make the best of what we have.”
Gisborne said the regional district had one foot in the swamp and it was like putting the other foot in the swamp.
“I’m saying we have a bigger policy issue and we’re getting deeper into it,” said Gisborne. “We should be looking at how we should be using our platform, rather than a platform which is outside of Canada.”
Electoral Area E director Andrew Fall said there is a need to talk about communications through Facebook or just through the regional district’s website.
“It’s a general policy, communication issue and I would like to make sure it doesn’t get lost,” he added.
Fall suggested the matter could be discussed during the board’s May strategic planning session.
Brabazon said that would be an appropriate discussion.
The parks and campgrounds motion carried with Gisborne opposed.
In addition to the social media component, the regional board approved several recommendations for the two parks/campgrounds:
· Construct a limited number of wooden tents or camping sheds to help open new market opportunities
· Improve campground maps and guides
· Install a shelter at the Shelter Point park group site
· Sell ice and other commodities at the campgrounds
· Create a WiFi hotspot at Shelter Point concession area
· Begin accepting reservations on a limited basis and advertise it
· Create and implement a marketing plan and advertising strategy that includes improved internet presence and function
