Social Media Policy

Why?

Online conversations about ringing take place every day and we want our members to be able to join those conversations. Our members represent and can share the positive ethos of the Society and our role in the social media community is to act as brand ambassadors for the Society. This policy should guide your participation online both personally as well as when acting in an official capacity on behalf of the Society.

Who?

This policy applies to all members of the Society whenever they use social media. Online comments should reflect the standard of behaviour which the Society expects of its members and all members should be absolutely clear that they can be held to account for poor online behaviour if it should reflect poorly directly on the Society.

The Society is not responsible for any material, opinions or views posted to social media sites by members using personal social media accounts (or an anonymous or pseudonym account - see below). All members should remain vigilant to poor behaviour and step in to stop any such activity.

The Society and Social Media

The Society has official social media accounts across several platforms. These will remain under the control of the Webmaster, the officers and any other member at the discretion of the officers. It is the responsibility of those appointed control to ensure that all posts and comments on these platforms are in keeping with the standard expected of the Society and reserve the right to remove any posts or comments if they should not meet these standards.

Those in control reserve the right to remove access to any individual, after sufficient warning, who are persistently in breach of the standards expected.

Do’s and Don’ts regarding Social Media

Social media includes sites such as: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr, YouTube, blogs, chat rooms, or similar social media forums.

You Can: participate in unofficial social media forums. However, You Should Not use social media forums to vent your frustrations, grievances or concerns which may damage the Society’s reputation.

You Should: message someone privately if you think they should take something down instead of drawing attention to it publicly.

You Should: keep everyone safe by abiding by the Society’s Safeguarding Policy to ensure the safety of young people and vulnerable adults.

You Should: think who can see your account, posts and comments and be a good ambassador for the Society. The Society prides itself and is well known for being friendly, welcoming and encouraging to all. This should extend to all social media activity.

You Should Not: post content which may cause offense or bring the Society into disrepute.

You Should Not: assume anonymity. Although not encouraged, if you decide to set up an anonymous or use a pseudonym account, you still must follow all of the guidance in this policy.

Those in control of official society platforms reserve the right to remove any anonymous or pseudonym accounts.

You Should Not: share in a public forum any confidential, sensitive or official Society business that isn’t already available in public minutes.