Congregations often find themselves in the unfortunate position of having started a Group or a user profile for their congregation then deciding that they need to switch to having an organizational Page. Making the switch usually entails asking all of the congregation’s current friends or Group members to “like” the congregation’s new Page, and then eventually deleting the Group or deactivating (or deleting) the user account. (For more information about why a congregation may want to have a Page rather than a Group, please read this earlier post.)
Getting the word out to friends or Group members can be tedious. But Meck Groot, program coordinator for the Clara Barton and Massachusetts Bay District, recently showed how to communicate such a switch with humor and clarity. She sent the following e-mail to constituents earlier this summer (and generously gave permission for it to be shared here):
Subject: We’re looking for Fans, not Friends on Facebook – sorry!!!
We made a Facebook mistake!
Unfortunately, Judy Murray and I have made a mistake about how to set up a page for Clara Barton and for Mass Bay Districts. We accidentally created two accounts as though CBD and MBD were individuals who wanted friends. We have since learned – through the generous help of true friends – that it is better to set up an organization page and to ask people to become Fans.
So, I have deactivated the CBD and MBD “personal” accounts and created two organization pages of which you can become a fan. To become a fan – and thereby receive information about upcoming events and news – please go to Facebook, find “Clara Barton District of UU Congregations” and/or “Mass Bay District of UU Congregations” and click on the “Like” button to become a fan of one or both organizations.
Sorry to all those who already signed up as friends. We do appreciate your friendship, but now the nature of our relationship must change. It happens!
-Meck Groot, Program Coordinator
Clara Barton and Mass Bay District of UU Congregations