top of page
VICTORIA PARK BELMONT BASEBALL CLUB (Inc.)
POLICY MANUAL - SOCIAL MEDIA
SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
PURPOSE
To ensure control by the Victoria Park Belmont Baseball Club (VPBBC) in relation to bullying and vilification of any type via electronic and other communications media.
SCOPE
This policy applies to all grades and groups within the club at all times.
RESPONSIBILITIES
All members of the committee have input into the policy, however the following person is predominantly responsible:
-
The President;
-
The Secretary; and
-
The Committee.
PROCEDURES
Our club acknowledges the emergence of new technology and communication media and wishes to encourage the use of social media for the benefit of the sport and its participants. VPBBC also recognises that its members need some level of protection from possible threats of vilification and/ or cyber bullying through such social media channels. Hence this policy document outlines the recommendations and restrictions when discussing baseball related matters on a public forum like social media and the subsequent punishment process for members who have been found to be non-compliant.
WHAT VPBBC NEEDS TO DO
When using technology, Baseball WA and its associated clubs need to ensure that members' privacy is protected, clear boundaries are maintained and bullying and harassment does not occur.
WEBSITE
-
Information on competitions, social events, committees, policies, constitution, rules and by-laws will be placed on the VPBBC webpage and audited in accordance with the Governance Policy.
-
No offensive content or photos will be uploaded to the club's webpages.
-
Permission will be sought from parents/ guardians to upload photos of their children and care will be taken not to provide information that identifies them.
-
A dedicated web master will be appointed to provide accountability and control over what goes on VPBBC webpages.
SMS AND EMAILS
-
VPBBC committee members, coaches and team managers may use SMS and email to communicate club business and club sanctioned social events,
-
Text communication should be short and only about club/ team matters.
-
Email communication should be used when more information is required.
-
Communication about children should only be made through parents/ guardians, using only their email/ phone number.
-
Posting and uploading of videos will only feature positive club news and events and should gain the consent of all featured individuals.
-
Personal information about members will not be disclosed.
-
No statements will be made that are misleading, false or likely to injure the reputation of another person.
-
No statements will be made that might bring the game of baseball in WA into disrepute.
-
Destructive or negative users must be deleted and blocked from engaging with any VPBBC related forum.
WHAT WE ASK OUR MEMBERS TO DO
When using technology based forums VPBBC members are expected to use the internet and electronic communication appropriately, following the blow rules and recommendations.
RULES
-
Communication should not offend, intimidate, humiliate nor bully any member of the baseball community; this includes the WA Scorers and WA Umpires Associations.
-
Communication must not be misleading, false nor injure the reputation of members or others.
-
Communication should seek to protect the privacy of members and others.
-
Communication must not bring the sport into disrepute.
-
Members should not engage in negative or destructive discussions or postings.
-
Abusive, harassing, discriminatory or offensive communication should not be posted.
RECOMMENDATIONS
-
Do not use personal information of yourself in any social media channel.
-
Use your best judgement.
-
Refrain from posting/ writing if you're feeling emotional or upset or are intoxicated.
-
Always ask for a person's permission before posting their picture on a social networking forum.
-
Never comment on rumours, do not deny nor affirm them nor speculate about rumours.
-
Only use social media channels to promote the sport/ club in a positive light.
-
If you feel you have been vilified on a baseball related matter through social media then you are encouraged to contact one of the VPBBC committee members.
NON-COMPLIANT MEMBERS
The VPBBC treats the misuse of social media as a serious breach and as such non-compliant members may be subject to the following disciplinary measures;
-
Any VPBBC member found to have clearly broken one of the above mentioned rules may face disciplinary action as outlined in the Constitution and be immediately banned from posting on Baseball WA related pages.
-
Any Baseball WA member found to have clearly broken one of the above mentioned rules may be asked to explain their actions to the committee which may result in subsequent disciplinary action.
-
Members publishing false or misleading comments about another person in the public domain may also be liable for defamation and face charges in a legal setting.
Effective Date: 19/07/2015
Approved by: VPBBC Committee
bottom of page