Navigating Social Media Policies: Protecting Your Brand and Engaging Your Community

In today’s digital landscape, social media is a powerful tool for nonprofits and small businesses to engage with their communities, share their mission, and build their brand. However, without clear policies, organizations can face challenges in managing their online presence, maintaining professionalism, and handling difficult interactions.

This session will provide a comprehensive look at social media policies from two key perspectives:

1. Internal Policies – Guidelines for staff, board members, and volunteers on appropriate social media use, personal accounts, and representing the organization online.
2. Public Engagement Policies – Best practices for managing an organization’s social media pages, including when to engage with or remove comments, blocking considerations, and maintaining a professional, inclusive online presence.

Participants will leave with practical strategies and frameworks to implement effective social media policies that align with their mission, mitigate risk, and foster positive engagement.

 Cost: $25

Facilitators:

Suzanne Clem has worked in nonprofit marketing and communications for more than 20 years. Her experience includes roles in higher education and healthcare, most recently serving as Vice President of Community Engagement at Open Door Health Services.  She received a bachelor’s degree in advertising and master’s degree in social psychology, both from Ball State University, and holds Online Marketing Certified Associate certification through OMCP.

In public relations, social media, and other marketing efforts, Suzanne’s focus is clear communication that shapes feelings, beliefs, and actions. She loves helping marketing teams and nonprofit leaders understand their audiences — both internal and external — as a foundation for how data is interpreted and communications decisions are made.

Originally from northeast Indiana, Suzanne has called Muncie home since the early 2000s. She has volunteered with neighborhood engagement efforts in the Thomas Park Avondale and Industry neighborhoods, with local environmental efforts, and as a writer for The Facing Project. She enjoys hiking, traveling, gardening, and finding other reasons to be outside.

Kourtney McCauliff is the Vice President of Consulting Services at Purple Ink. She loves to cultivate cohesive teams and develop strong leaders to lead them.  

Kourtney is an experienced Human Resources Professional, with a demonstrated history of working in HR for over 15 years in a variety of different industries – from hospitality to health care that also includes the non-profit sector. She has a focus in recruiting, retention, people development, workforce readiness, and employee engagement. Throughout her HR career, Kourtney has assisted clients with several training topics. She loves to help clients with her expertise in general HR best practices, such as HR assessments and compensation. 

Kourtney is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a degree in Sociology and Communications. She is a SHRM-CP and has a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion for HR from eCornell. Kourtney is also DiSC Certified and a Mental Health First Aid instructor. She has volunteered with the HR Indiana SHRM State Council, East Central Indiana HR Association, Cornerstone Center for the Arts, Non-Profit Support Network, and Kenmore Neighborhood Association in Muncie. 

 
When she isn’t working, Kourtney likes to enjoy the many state parks and trails with her husband and dog, and spend time with family. She is always interested in connecting with new individuals, so don’t hesitate to find her on LinkedIn or send her an email!