Social Media Guidelines - Update
Rotary District 9520
Social media policy guidelines. January 2020.
Purpose.
Social media offers the opportunity for people to create, share and consume content connecting and engaging with others in the community, across the district and around the world.
The global popularity of social media has grown to the point where it is often a primary source of information and interaction.
Rotary embraces social media is an important tool to assist their public image as well as attracting potential members and community partners. Social media enables like-minded people and organisations to connect and create opportunities to serve.
Rotary also recognises the value of social media on a personal level enabling the sharing of information and ideas with family friends and communities.
With the rapid growth in the impact of social media, district 9520 recognises the need to provide policy guidelines. This ensures members understand the district expectations and standards when communicating about its services, people and program partners.
Scope.
Under these guidelines social media includes any online tool, platform, website or digital publishing medium that allows individuals to interact, upload, share or engage online.
These tools include, but are not limited to
Social networking sites-Facebook, Snapchat, WhatsApp, LinkedIn.
Video and photo sharing sites-Flickr, Instagram, YouTube, Vimeo.
Microblogging sites-Twitter, Tumbler.
Blogs-corporate, personal or media hosted.
Forums and discussion boards-Whirlpool, Yahoo! groups, Google groups.
Information portals-Wikipedia, Answers.com.
Review websites-Trip advisor, Yelp.
Crowdfunding websites-GoFundMe, Kick Starter, MyCause.
These guidelines recommend that Rotary clubs research which platforms best suit their needs, the capability of their members and how best to utilise them for their objectives.
Applications of the guidelines.
These guidelines are intended for all clubs and Rotarians in district 9520.
Clubs are encouraged to apply these guidelines, ensure that they are circulated and understood by their members.
Clubs may wish to develop these guidelines further as being relevant to specific club activities or to address concerns raised by members.
Club develop guidelines should be circulated to all club members.
As Rotarians, we always hold ourselves accountable to a high standard of conduct and we must be mindful of this even in new and unfamiliar forums. Clubs are expected to maintain the same core principles and values as they would do in any off-line social interaction.
If you become aware of any social media interaction that is detrimental to Rotary, regardless of whether it is your club social media site or others, do not respond but make your President aware of the incident who may wish to seek district guidance to develop a plan to address the matter accordingly.
Social media guidelines.
The three pillars of social media engagement to protect the interest of Rotary and members are
Representation.
Responsibility.
Respect.
Representation.
Considering you are a Rotarian 24 hours a day, your conduct must always reflect the values upheld by Rotary.
You are required to.
Identify yourself as a Rotary member if commenting on a matter linked to Rotary
Ensure you do not imply any way that you are authorised to speak on Rotary’s behalf unless authorised to do so.
Ensure you do not knowingly use the identity of another Rotary member.
Be mindful during your media engagements of the importance of not damaging Rotary's reputation and interests or bring Rotary into disrepute.
Responsibility.
You are personally responsible for the content of your online activity. In this context, you have a responsibility to ensure.
Any information about Rotary provided is informed and factually accurate.
If you wish to express your own opinion, please ensure you state that they are your personal opinions.
If you're offering your perspective on a matter related to Rotary, ensure that your commentary and opinion does not cause or have the potential to cause, damage to Rotary, its interests or its official opinion.
You are required to
Use a simple disclaimer to ensure that the views are your own and not those of Rotary D9520 or Rotary International.
Ensure you do not post material that is obscene, threatening, hateful, defamatory or discriminatory to any other person or entity including Rotary, its members' volunteers and partner organisations.
Think before you post and carefully consider the text and images from the perspective of those who may see them and react to them.
Be wary of student photographs and ensure they comply with the relevant privacy provisions and Rotary youth protection policies, as well is required school parent permission is.
Respect.
You are required to be
Respectful of the district, its clubs and members in everything you post online.
Be respectful of other individuals and communities you interact with online.
Be polite and respectful of other opinions and we counsel against engaging in heated discussion or debate on social media
Adhere to the terms and conditions of the social media channel you are using and conform to cultural and behavioural norms.
Respect copyright privacy and other applicable laws.
The four way test.
Keep the four way test in mind when engaging on any social media or other online activity. Inherent values of the code have stood the test of time in an era long before the advent of computers. At the press.
The Law.
Over and above these guidelines, there are national and state laws and regulations that apply to online activity. These include but are not limited to.
Commonwealth of Australia.
Broadcasting services act 1992.
Copyright act 1968.
Crimes act 1914.
Privacy act 1988.
Criminal code act 1995.
Spam act 2003.
Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales vary in their Data Protection, Equal Opportunity, Defamation, Electronics Transactions and Consumer and Business Laws. It is your responsibility to ensure that you comply with the relevant State and Commonwealth laws while online.
You must keep in mind that your online activities must remain within the law. It is recommended you do your research or consult your electronic Information Systems committee if you are in any doubt.
Misuse and legal consequences.
Some considerations with a legal consequence are noted below.
Misuse of social media may involve.
A breach of Rotary obligations.
Sexual harassment.
Unlawful discrimination.
Infringement of the privacy of Rotarians.
Exposure to legal liability.
Defamation
A criminal offence*.
*This will be regarded as a serious matter and appropriate action may be taken where there is a reasonable belief illegal activity has occurred. The district Governor may report suspected illegal activity to the police.
Offences and criminal charges.
State and Commonwealth legislation creates criminal offences for the misuse of social media and such offences include.
Menace harass or offend.
It is a criminal offence under the criminal code act of 1995 to use a carrier service to members, harass or cause offence.
Defamation.
If a person publishes information that identifies a person in the published content, lowers the person standing, brings that person into hatred ridicule or contempt or causes others to shun that person the publisher may find themselves personally defending an action of defamation.
Copyright.
Copyright is a legal protection of literary, dramatic, artistic and musical works and performances. It provides creators with legal right to control the use of their creations. Publishing such works without permission from the creator may mantle breached the Copyright act 1968.
Concerns.
If you have any concerns or questions about the above information please contact the District Governor, the district protection and compliance officer or the district public image chair.
Social media is a powerful tool for the promotion and development of Rotary goals. We encourage all Rotarians to become actively engaged and participate in this flexible and engaging medium.