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Community Corner

Falmouth Elks Facebook Shutdown Vote Sparks Criticism

"The administrator should be ashamed," posted one Facebook user on the Falmouth Elks Facebook page Wednesday. Should the club shut down its page? Tell us in the comments.

For an update on this story, please see Falmouth Elks Facebook Administrator Responds to Flap.

Posted Nov. 6, 12:10 p.m.:

While Boston voters were electing a new Mayor and West Tisbury's town meeting debated marijuana dispensary zoning, Falmouth Elks also voted Tuesday — to shut down the club's Facebook page

According to a post on that page Wednesday morning:

"At last nights House committee meeting the Exalted Ruler ask the house committee to shut down the Falmouth Elks Face Book page. A motion was made to do so. And the motion passed. This page will be shut down when the administrator receives official notice in writing."

With two hours, the post had gathered more than a dozen mostly-critical comments from Facebook users, one of whom referred to "inappropriate posts" on the page that appears to be devoted to Elks events like fish fry nights, community events and volunteering.

Here's a sampling of what people posted in response to the Elks' Facebook announcement:

  • "Certainly shows pettiness on behalf of the administrator. What a shame to see in an organization that does such good things in our town. The administrator should be ashamed."
  • "may I ask why this was requested? Social Media is the wave of the future. It allows us the ability to connect with the public for our charitable works as well as networking with other lodges to expand our resources."
  • "What a shame. I always enjoy seeing what is happening. Sounds like a control issue to me. You have over 600 of us that like the page. Over 400 talking about it. As with all groups, you need a good administrator monitoring the page and deleting anything inappropriate."
  • "Maybe the vote should have been to replace the admin."
  • "as in all things in Elkdom, this can surely come to a reasonable conclusion with a little cooperation and understanding. I pray the Falmouth Lodge works this out, maybe with some help of a mediator. All the best to you all!"
  • "this is crazy."
  • "The administrator is the one who has made the inappropriate posts."
  • "Wouldn't it be technically the "membership" decision and not the HC?"
  • "Change the administrator!"
  • "I do believe that request was made several times" 
  • "You are only hearing about this TODAY because this is the day the Admin CHOSE to SHARE. POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA."
  • "Face Book is a way for out of area Elks members to see what we are doing and make connections."
  • "Are committees and Chairpersons still appointed by the Exalted Ruler? Why would the ER need to put such a request in writing. Seriously....? Run for a position and get ELECTED TO IT if you want CONTROL."
Now it's your turn: What do you think of the Elks Facebook post? Tell us in the comments. 
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