The Content Creator is responsible for creating social media and website content for the Lancaster Canal Boaters Association. This includes writing posts, taking photographs, recording short videos, gathering stories, preparing updates, and helping show the work of LCBA in a clear, positive and accurate way.
The Content Creator will also act as the official photographer at LCBA events where needed, making sure photographs are suitable for public use and that consent, safeguarding and dignity are respected.
The role helps LCBA tell the story of the boating community, promote events, share useful information, celebrate members, and keep the public informed about the association’s work.
The Content Creator should sit under the communications function rather than being a full constitutional officer role. The role may be held by a committee member or by a trusted volunteer appointed by the committee. It could be held by a media student and provide a clear training ground for students.
If the Content Creator is not a committee member, they must not publish sensitive content, public statements or policy-related material without approval from the Head of Communications and Liaison or the full committee.
What is expected of the person in the role:
- Create regular content for LCBA’s social media pages and website as agreed with the Head of Communications and Liaison.
- Take photographs at LCBA events, meetings and community activities.
- Act as the official photographer at events when asked by the committee.
- Produce short written updates, captions, news items and event summaries.
- Help gather member stories, volunteer stories and boating community updates.
- Work with the Head of Communications and Liaison to make sure all content is accurate, appropriate and in line with LCBA’s agreed message.
- Collaborate with the Head of Communications and Liaison to develop public awareness campaigns.
- Work with the Events Manager to promote events before, during and after they happen.
- Work with the Membership Secretary to promote membership and member involvement.
- Work with the Fundraising Officer to create approved fundraising posts, campaign updates, sponsor acknowledgements and donation messages.
- Work with the Boat Specialist to check boating-related content for accuracy where needed.
- Work with the Safeguarding and Welfare Officer where content involves children, vulnerable adults, welfare situations, complaints, distress, privacy or consent.
- Make sure photos or videos of people are only used where appropriate consent has been given.
- Be especially careful when photographing children, vulnerable adults, welfare situations or people in distress.
- Avoid publishing anything that could embarrass, expose or unfairly identify someone.
- Avoid sharing private welfare issues, personal disputes, safeguarding concerns or sensitive committee matters.
- Make sure posts are respectful, inclusive and helpful.
- Check facts before publishing information about CRT, stoppages, services, facilities, events or other organisations.
- Keep a simple record of photos, videos and content created for LCBA.
- Use LCBA branding, tone and visual style where agreed.
- Pass any press, complaint, safeguarding or sensitive issue to the appropriate officer rather than responding personally.
- Make sure no content is published that commits LCBA to a policy position, public allegation, spending decision or partnership without approval.
- Attend any relevant training courses needed to fulfil the requirements of the position.
- Maintain a good standing in the community and represent LCBA in accordance with all internal policies.
Event photography responsibilities
When acting as official photographer, the Content Creator should:
- Check with the Events Manager what images are needed.
- Make sure people know photography is taking place.
- Respect anyone who does not want to be photographed.
- Avoid photographing children or vulnerable people without clear permission.
- Avoid intrusive photos of welfare support, private conversations or people in difficulty.
- Take a mix of useful images, such as speakers, volunteers, food, displays, boats, signs, group activity and general atmosphere.
- Provide selected images to the Head of Communications and Liaison after the event.
- Delete or avoid using any image that could cause embarrassment, upset or risk.
Reports to:
- The Head of Communications and Liaison.
- For events, the Content Creator should work closely with the Events Manager.
Where content involves safeguarding, welfare, complaints or vulnerable people, the Content Creator must take advice from the Safeguarding and Welfare Officer before anything is published.
Deputised by:
- The Head of Communications and Liaison should deputise for the Content Creator where urgent posts, website updates, statements, captions or public updates are needed.
- At events, the Events Manager may appoint another trusted volunteer to take photographs if the Content Creator is unavailable.
- The Membership Secretary may support membership-related content, such as recruitment wording, member sign-up messages or consultation reminders.
- The Fundraising Officer may support fundraising-related content, such as donation wording or campaign updates.
- Any person deputising for the Content Creator must follow LCBA’s communications, safeguarding, consent, branding and data protection rules.
- No deputy should publish sensitive content, safeguarding-related information, complaint-related material, personal welfare details, public allegations, policy statements or content committing LCBA to a position without approval from the Head of Communications and Liaison or the full committee.
Deputises for:
- The Head of Communications and Liaison on routine social media posts, website updates, event photographs, event summaries, captions, posters, short videos and approved public updates.
- The Events Manager on event publicity, event photography, post-event reports, visual records and promotional material.
- The Membership Secretary by creating membership recruitment content, member stories and volunteer promotion.
- The Fundraising Officer by creating campaign graphics, donation posts, fundraising updates and visual content for grant-supported activity.
- The Content Creator should not deputise for the Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Safeguarding and Welfare Officer or Boat Specialist.
- If the Content Creator is not a committee member, they must not publish sensitive content, policy statements, public allegations, safeguarding-related information, complaint-related material, or anything that commits LCBA to a position without approval from the Head of Communications and Liaison or the full committee.