TMCP are pleased to let Managing Trustees know that there are four new data protection resources available for immediate use. These are additional tools developed across the Connexion:
- QR Code for the Managing Trustees Privacy Notice.
- Data Protection Symbol Truth Promise.
- Sheffield District’s data protection website pages.
- Social Media slides from a recent District Data Champion Forum and links to additional resources.
QR CODE FOR THE MANAGING TRUSTEES’ PRIVACY NOTICE:
After liaising with the Darlington District Data Champion, TMCP have produced a QR Code which links directly to the most up to date version of the Managing Trustees’ Privacy Notice.
Managing Trustees simply gain access to the Privacy Notice. By displaying the QR Code (along with some explanatory text to say what the QR code is for) prominently in all rooms accessible by church members, volunteers, church users etc will help Managing Trustees demonstrate that they are complying with Check 3 of the Data Protection Annual Checklist.
Managing Trustees should however remember that not everyone has a phone which is capable of scanning a QR Code. You should therefore continue to display a printed version of the Managing Trustees’ Privacy Notice, ensuring that it is the most up to date version as appears on the TMCP website as well as having links to the privacy notice on your websites.
DATA PROTECTION SYMBOL TRUTH PROMISE:
The Darlington & Teesdale Circuit have produced a simple Data Protection Symbol Truth Promise as part of their work and commitment to their WAVE workshops.
WAVE For Change is an organisation whose focus is on enabling people to connect, encourage and support people who want to see vibrant mixed-ability social and worship groups within their community. Further information can be found on their website: HOME | Wave For Change (wave-for-change.org.uk)
The document is a simple visual statement explaining that the Methodist Church will take care of information they collect about individuals and is another testament to TMCP’s stance that data protection is always seen and promoted as ‘People Protection’.
SHEFFIELD DISTRICT’S DATA PROTECTION WEBSITE PAGES:
The feedback TMCP received from the District Data Champions and Managing Trustees directly is that the Data Mapping exercise on the Annual Checklist is perceived to be the most daunting.
The Sheffield District have significantly expanded TMCP’s Data Mapping guidance by providing sample data mapping forms for both the Church as a whole to use but also for individuals who process personal data.
At the invitation of the Sheffield District Data Champion, please use this additional resource to assist you with your Data Mapping exercise. We wish to assure Managing Trustees that when you have undertaken this exercise once, it is much easier the following year as it will then simply involve an annual review to confirm that the information is still relevant and correct.
Below are links to the Sheffield District’s data protection website pages, including the Data Mapping page:
Sheffield Methodist District Privacy Policy
Sheffield Methodist District - Data Mapping
SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDANCE FROM THE CHARITY COMMISSION:
On the 18th September 2023 the Charity Commission issued new guidance on the use of Social Media by charities: Charities and social media - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The pertinent points raised by the guidance was presented to the District Data Champions at our most recent Forum held on the 22nd January 2024. The slides from the presentation are available in the ‘Videos and slides’ section of the main Data Protection page on the TMCP website. The guidance provides an array of additional resources for charity trustees navigating the complex world of Social Media and we have listed the most relevant links to Managing Trustees below:
Additional resources to help improve social media knowledge & skills:
Online media literacy resources - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Resource Hub | Media Trust
Help in drafting a Social Media Policy:
Checklist_for_developing_a_social_media_policy_formatted.odt (live.com)
Social-media-policy-template.docx (live.com)
Fundraising on Social Media:
Code of Fundraising Practice | Fundraising Regulator
Charity fundraising: a guide to trustee duties (CC20) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Ethical fundraising, sustainable giving | Fundraising Regulator
Staying safe on Social Media:
Social media: protecting what you publish - NCSC.GOV.UK
Social Media: how to use it safely - NCSC.GOV.UK
These resources are additional to the Digital Communication guidance published by the Methodist Church in Great Britain which includes Social Media amongst other useful information such as ‘Getting Started Online’ and ‘Zoom for Churches’:
Digital communication guidance for churches (methodist.org.uk)
If Managing Trustees have any queries then please contact TMCP (dataprotection@tmcp.methodist.org.uk) for further assistance regarding general data protection matters and the Conference Office for queries specifically relating to safeguarding or complaints and discipline matters (conferenceoffice@methodistchurch.org.uk).