USA Softball of Alaska Use of Social Media Policy

This policy shall apply to all coaches, players, parents, guardians or other persons associated with USA Softball of Alaska regarding the use of social media.  This policy applies to the above participants on and off the field. The goal of USA Softball of Alaska is to assure that its participants – coaches, players, parents, official, guardians, fans – maintain the highest standard of sportsmanship and ethical behavior at all times.  Adherence to this policy shall be a condition for continued participation in the USA Softball of Alaska program.  All who register in their local association acknowledge this policy with their membership. Each association will inform the participating players and officials of this policy.  This policy will be included in the USA Softball of Alaska State Code. This policy will be documented on the USA Softball of Alaska website.

We have a zero tolerance policy for inappropriate use of social media.

Social media is defined to include:  Web sites, Web logs (blogs), wikis, social networks (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Flickr, YouTube, etc.), online forums, virtual worlds, email and any other social media generally available to the public or consumers.

Inappropriate is defined to include:

1. Players, parents, coaches, umpires or any participant associated with USA Softball of Alaska who denigrate (attack the character or reputation of, speak ill of, defame, disparage or belittle) other individual’s players, teammates or evaluation processes as related to USA Softball of Alaska.
2. Parents, who send harassing emails, denigrate the evaluation process or board members or officials; or swear as it relates to USA Softball of Alaska.

REQUIREMENTS

All participants in USA Softball of Alaska are expected to serve as positive ambassadors of our organization.  Because readers of social media networks may view the participant as a representative of USA Softball of Alaska, requires participants to observe the following rules when referring to USA Softball of Alaska, the players, activities, volunteers, coaches, parents, umpires, on any social media networks:

1.  Use of any social media network and postings, displays or communications on any social media network must comply with all state and federal laws and any USA Softball of Alaska policies and USA Softball of Alaska code of conduct.
2. Participants must be respectful and professional in all communications (by word, image or other means).  Participants shall not use obscene, profane or vulgar language on any social media network or engage in communications or conduct that is harassing, threatening, bullying, libelous or defamatory or that discusses or encourages any illegal activity or the inappropriate use of alcohol, use of illegal drugs, sexual behavior, or sexual harassment.
3. Participants may not act as a spokesperson for USA Softball of Alaska except as authorized by the USA Softball of Alaska State Commissioner. 
4. When authorized as a spokesperson for USA Softball of Alaska, participants must disclose their relationship with USA Softball of Alaska.
5. Participants may not disclose information on any social media network that is confidential or proprietary to USA Softball of Alaska, its players, parents, coaches, umpires, or that is protected by data privacy laws.
6. Participants will be held responsible for the disclosure, whether purposeful or inadvertent, of confidential or private information, information that violates the privacy rights or other rights of a third party, or the content of anything posted on any social media network or internet site as it relates to USA Softball of Alaska.
7. Anything related to USA Softball of Alaska posted on the participants Web site or Web log or other internet content for which the participant is responsible will be subject to all USA Softball of Alaska policies, rules, regulations or guidelines. 

VIOLATION

An USA Softball of Alaska participant who is responsible for a social media network posting that fails to comply with the rules set forth in this policy may be subject to discipline as outlined in the USA Softball of Alaska State Code Article 12 Disqualification.

Cross Reference:

USA Softball of Alaska State Code

Children’s Internet Protection Act

GUIDELINES

These are the guidelines for social media in USA Softball of Alaska.  If you’re a participant contributing to blogs, wikis, social networks, virtual worlds or any other kind of social media, these guidelines are for you.  We expect all who participate in social media to understand and follow these guidelines.  Failure to do so could put you at risk.  These guidelines will continually evolve as new technologies and social networking tools emerge, so check back once in a while to make sure you are up to date.

It’s your responsibility.  What you write is ultimately your responsibility.  If it seems inappropriate, use caution.  What you publish is widely accessible and it will be around for a long time, so consider the content carefully.  Trademark, copyright and fair use requirements must be respected.

Ensure the safety of the players.  When participants choose to join or engage in the social networking groups, they do so as an ambassador of USA Softball of Alaska and have the responsibility for monitoring content and addressing inappropriate behavior or activity on these networks.  This includes acting to protect the safety of minors online.

Be transparent.  Your honesty-or dishonesty-will be quickly noticed in the social media environment.  If you are posting about your involvement, use your real name and identify your relationship with USA Softball of Alaska.  Be clear about your role; if you have a vested interest in something you are discussing, be the first to point it out.

Protect confidential information.  Be thoughtful about what you publish.  You must make sure you do not disclose or use confidential information.  Players, parents, coaches and other participants should not be cited or obviously referenced without their approval.  For example, ask permission before posting someone’s picture in a social network or publishing a conversation that was meant to be private.

Respect your audience and other participants.  Always express ideas and opinions in a respectful manner.  Make sure your communications are in good taste.  Do not denigrate or insult others.  Remember that our communities reflect a diverse set of customs, values and points of view.

Keep your cool.  One of the aims of social media is to create dialogue and people will not always agree on an issue.  When confronted with a difference of opinion, stay cool.  Sometimes, it’s best to ignore a comment and not give it credibility by acknowledging it with a response.

Be careful with personal information.  Make full use of privacy settings.  Know how to disable anonymous postings and use moderating tools on your social media sites.

Be a positive role model.