Area Communications Officers’ Roles and Responsibilities

Appointment:

Appointed by the Provincial Communications Officer (PCO), having responsibility to promote and enhance all aspects of internal and external communications within the Province of Somerset in general, and within their specified Provincial area in particular.

Suitable skills:

The appointee must possess a good standard of computer skills (including Wordpress use) essential for the effective delivery of the key tasks. Relevant training will be provided, where required. A sound understanding or personal experience in the roles of LCO / LCO would be advantageous. Being a current RA Chapter member would be advantageous, though not essential. Good literacy and interpersonal skills will greatly assist the appointee’s effectiveness. A working knowledge of Social Media use would also be advantageous.

Liaises with: Provincial Communications Officer. LCOs / CLOs and the Management Teams of the Masonic Centres within their designated area. The other ACO’s. Head of Provincial IT. Provincial Social Media Officers.

Key Tasks:

• To provide support and advice to the LCOs / CLOs and Masonic Centres within their designated areas in order to enhance effective communications, thereby promoting those Lodges / Chapters and the positive image of Freemasonry within their local communities.

• To forward any relevant communications information to the LCOs / CLOs from Province or UGLE upon request of the PCO, and vice versa.

• To post articles of Lodge / Chapter / Masonic Centre news submitted by the LCOs / CLOs within their designated area onto the Provincial Website, and to ensure the same is made available for publication via all Provincial media channels.

• To make personal visits and attend Provincial Fraternal and Team Visits to Lodges and Chapters in their designated areas, where possible, in order to develop and strengthen their working relationship with their LCOs / CLOs, Lodges and Chapters.

• Encourage and promote the creation and use of Lodge / Chapter Websites and Social Media in those Lodges / Chapters not currently operating them. The IT and Social Media Teams are available to actively assist with training and advice.

• To assist in identifying suitable forthcoming community events in their designated area, in which Masons can be pro-actively involved and, from which, a positive image of Freemasonry can be promoted within those communities.

• Where requested, to assist LCOs / CLOs and Masonic centres to produce suitable articles for submission to external local press / media and or internal Provincial news publication methods.