City council members refreshed on social media etiquette

The council congregated for their first 8:30 a.m. study session, looking refreshed from that extra thirty minute leeway. And speaking of being refreshed, guest speaker Emily Guildner dropped in to refresh city council on how to navigate the tricky world of social media and engaging with constituents at the February 12 study session in City Hall. 

“It’s very easy for us to over speak on social media,” said Mayor Cheri Farivar. 

While they maintain their First Amendment rights as a private citizen, as elected officials they’re not entitled to the entirety of the First Amendment. 

“When you are speaking as a public official, you do not have the full First Amendment rights,” said Guildner. “You are speaking as a public official and in the eyes of the entity.” 

Guildner touched on some gray areas for social media that council members should tread lightly as to not cross any lines. Such as: campaign positions, sharing activities as council members and engagement with constituents. 

“So something to keep in mind when you are trying to decipher whether you are speaking as a private citizen or public official, does the public have access to your platform? If the regular public can’t have that kind of authority behind you, then you’re speaking as a public official, not a private citizen,” said Guildner. “It is based on the content of what you’re posting, not necessarily where you’re posting it

As a private citizen, there is slack on the social media leash for council members. When a council member is on their private page their allowed actions can range from liking a political candidate’s Facebook page to sharing that Kodak moment of their kids at Disney World. However, using social media, email or even personal texting as public officials, the rules are clearly much tighter and available as public record. 

“This is one of the burdens that you’ve accepted by becoming elected officials,” said Guildner. 

Even something as seemingly minimal like a council member emailing ‘reply all’ is considered not allowed, because it would be regarded as a serial meeting. Emojis are typically used as adding some flavor to a text - however they are discouraged for elected officials’ messages because of the broad interpretation of the context of the emoji being sent. 

“I know Leavenworth is a small town and so generally you’re engaged in a lot of community things,” said Guildner. “But as part of being a public official, you have to keep that line in mind.”

Their code of conduct for social media is a little different than those of us who jump on Facebook and slam our hands on the keyboard and fire out a status with whatever comes to mind.

Some other business tended to: 

• Nancy Smith gave the council some info on what’s unfolding for the Chamber. At the board retreat, they discussed how on brand Leavenworth is and making sure to maintain that charming Bavarian character. “We weigh that every year, pretty significantly.” Smith also brought up an individual’s brewing interest in a bike tour, which the chamber would be supportive of if the tour was wrapped up by 8 a.m. and not cause for downtown to be shut down during the lucrative weekend time. 
• Council seemed unanimously in agreement that providing some funding to the Hopkins Memorial Pool because 1) it’ll prevent further deterioration, 2) Larsen made the point that just seeing kids out there playing is a tourist draw and 3) it’s historically a one time funding.
• The upcoming spring newsletter in March - keep an eye out for topics like garbage disposal do’s and don’t’s, upcoming festivals and the announcement of Spring Clean Up for the city.