Last week Morris County, NJ announced it is embracing social media in a big way. County residents can now use Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and Scribd to access county news and information.
So, just how is Morris County using these social media tools to educate the public?
If you visited the county's Twitter feed or Facebook page, you'd know that the parks commission is holding golf clinics for adults in September. You'd also know a presentation called "Making Sense of Influenza" is being held at the Morris County Library, free or low-cost health insurance for uninsured children is available through the NJ Family Care program, and that county offices will be closed on Labor Day.
Over at Scribd, a site that is to documents what YouTube is to video, you can print the county's Programs and Services for Seniors, Disabled and Veterans guide, the county's directory of government services and the parks commission's quarterly magazine.
On You Tube there's "Focus on Morris County," a public affairs show, and videos on the county's parks and recreation facilities.
By embracing Facebook, in particular, the county has overcome a concern many organizations have about creating an online forum that allows public comments. Such concerns are legitimate, but unlike some blogs and news sites Facebook does not permit anonymous comments. If someone writes something scurrilous on Facebook, everyone will know who wrote it. Like cockroaches responding to light, the nameless commenter scurries to the safety of dark anonymity and avoids Facebook.
Morris County's step into social media will entice others to follow, and their example is more than worth exploring.
So, just how is Morris County using these social media tools to educate the public?
If you visited the county's Twitter feed or Facebook page, you'd know that the parks commission is holding golf clinics for adults in September. You'd also know a presentation called "Making Sense of Influenza" is being held at the Morris County Library, free or low-cost health insurance for uninsured children is available through the NJ Family Care program, and that county offices will be closed on Labor Day.
Over at Scribd, a site that is to documents what YouTube is to video, you can print the county's Programs and Services for Seniors, Disabled and Veterans guide, the county's directory of government services and the parks commission's quarterly magazine.
On You Tube there's "Focus on Morris County," a public affairs show, and videos on the county's parks and recreation facilities.
By embracing Facebook, in particular, the county has overcome a concern many organizations have about creating an online forum that allows public comments. Such concerns are legitimate, but unlike some blogs and news sites Facebook does not permit anonymous comments. If someone writes something scurrilous on Facebook, everyone will know who wrote it. Like cockroaches responding to light, the nameless commenter scurries to the safety of dark anonymity and avoids Facebook.
Morris County's step into social media will entice others to follow, and their example is more than worth exploring.
Comments