This Policy has been developed by the Stour Sailing Club Committee to provide a framework for the Club’s use of social media.

This Policy applies to all users of Stour Sailing Club’s social media, whether that be the public (Club) Facebook Page or any private/group (Club) Facebook pages Whilst the activities of the Stour Sailing Club are recreational, in nature, there is a responsibility on both the Club and its members to ensure that (the Clubs) social media services are used in an appropriate and controlled manner. It is important to remember that we are all Ambassadors for the Club and that social media is never private.

What do we mean by Social Media?

Currently the Club primarily uses Facebook for our social media presence. However
there are several types of social media that we, as a Club, use now or may use in
the future and this policy covers all types, for example:

  • Social networking (Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+)
  • Microblogging (Twitter, Tumblr).
  • Photo sharing (Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest)
  • Video sharing (YouTube, Facebook Live, Periscope, Vimeo)

This policy also covers private messages sent over online channels such as direct
messaging via Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp.

What do we want to use Social Media for?

The Club wants to use social media as part of the Club’s formal ‘shop window’ to
interact with Members and the wider Community to:

  • promote and publicise the Club and Club events in a positive and clear way to Members, prospective Members, members of the wider Community, and
    partnership organisations
  • respond clearly and correctly to specific, non-sensitive or personal posts from Members of the Club and the public
  • provide information, advice and guidance (particularly in emergency situations)
  • contribute positively to the image of the Club as professional, human, approachable and part of the wider community

Who can post as the ‘Official’ Voice of the Club?

Only Officers or Members of the SSC Committee, or, exceptionally, Non-Committee members, formally nominated by Committee may post on Social Media representing the ‘Official’ voice of the Club, either specifically as ‘Stour Sailing Club’ or offering information or comments that appear to members and the public to formally represent the Club.

Managing Social Media – Club Facebook Pages

The Club maintains an official public Facebook page which offers information to members and non-members on Club activities and events. Members and nonmembers of the Club can post comments and send messages to the Club but only appointed Administrators and Editors can post information and respond to messages.

Whilst only a small number of individuals are able to use social media speaking formally on behalf of the Club, many Club members will use social media to talk, not on behalf of, but about the Club and Club activities. In addition to the Club Facebook page the Club has established a Stour Sailing Club Members Facebook Group. Any Member of the Club can ask to become a member of the Group to see and post information, stories, photos and videos. The Group is Private, and only members of the group can see posts.

There is also a Stour Sailing Club Rowing Members Facebook Group which exists specifically to share information about Club rowing, this is also a Private Group. For the Club Facebook pages only Members of the Club Committee (or exceptionally non-committee members formally agreed by Committee) may act as Administrators or Editors.

There will be at least two Administrators at any time for each of the Club’s Facebook Pages – whether that be public or private groups/pages. The Administrators will be agreed by the Committee. When an Administrator leaves the Committee or is asked to stand down from the position by the Committee, the Committee will make a new nomination and the roles will be updated. The number of Editors may vary, but when an Editor leaves the Committee or is asked to stand down as an Editor the Administrators will update the roles.

Expectations on Administrators and Editors

  1. Use common sense: Use your best judgment at all times. If you’re uncertain if something is inappropriate or questionable, don’t post it.
  2. Mind your manners: Be respectful, kind and civil – do not make any comments that discriminatory, unpleasant or hateful about anyone.
  3. Be human: Use your own voice; speak in a warm, approachable tone. Anything posted on the behalf of your club is permanent and a reflection of the club and its members.
  4. Respect copyrights and fair use: Always give people proper credit for their work, and make sure you have the right to use something before you publish, for example – photographs taken by someone else.
  5. Be aware of confidentiality: Only reference information that is publically available.
  6. Security: Social media accounts should be created using an official club email address, which a designated individual should have responsibility for. Passwords should be protected and any suspicions of account hacking should be raised with the social media platform immediately.

Managing Social Media

When posting about the Club or Club activity on any social media platform including a private group, members are reminded:

  • Everything on the internet is public – you should assume that all of your social media communication is visible to everyone everywhere. Comments and posts are permanent and often public even with privacy settings in place. So think carefully about the content you post online.
  • Be responsible – when in doubt don’t post. All social media content and communication must not be unlawful, discriminatory, offensive, bullying or defamatory
  • Respect copyright – don’t post content created by someone else (videos/documents/links) without checking that you have given credit for them and where possible include links to the original source.
  • Children online – never post personal information (schools, full names, addresses, emails) which could lead to a child being identified.

Any Member using any of the Club’s social media in a negative, disruptive or disrespectful way may be subject to withdrawal of access to all of the Club’s social media and/or disciplinary action by the Club.