OAK HILLS YOUTH ATHLETICS, INC.
Social Media Policy
Oak Hills Youth Athletics, Inc. (“OHYA”) recognizes the importance of the Internet in shaping the public’s perception of our organization. OHYA also recognizes the importance of our Board members, executive directors, sport coordinators, sport committee members, coaches, employees, and volunteers in leading and setting the tone of social media interactions in a manner that advances OHYA’s mission and goals.
Mission Statement
Oak Hills Youth Athletics is dedicated to the development of well-rounded youth through positive sports competition. We strive to develop fundamental skills through active participation of our players and to promote good sportsmanship from our players, coaches, and parents. Oak Hills Youth Athletics is dedicated to the support of the organized sports in the Oak Hills Local School District. OHYA believes that our mission is to provide these organized sports with as many athletes as possible, that are as well prepared as possible for that next level.
Applicability
This Social Media Policy applies to all Board members, executive directors, sport coordinators, sport committee members, coaches, employees, and volunteers (“OHYA Members”). This Social Media Policy applies to all social media content posted by OHYA Members in their professional and personal capacity to the extent such content is related to OHYA.
Aspirations
OHYA strives to create a positive and inclusive organization that is dedicated to helping young athletes reach their potential. In furtherance of this goal, OHYA aspires to engage members of the Oak Hills community in positive, honest, transparent, and knowledgeable dialogue about OHYA through social media. OHYA views social media as an important tool for communicating its successes and opportunities for athletic and individual development. OHYA also views social media as a platform for receiving constructive feedback from the community and for discussing OHYA’s challenges and opportunities for improvement in a positive and constructive way.
Guidelines
All OHYA Members shall abide by the following guidelines when using social media:
1. Be positive and respectful, and always take the high road. When disagreeing with others’ opinions, remain appropriate and polite. If you find yourself in a situation online that is becoming antagonistic, ask the OHYA Board of Directors or your sport coordinator for advice on how to disengage from the dialogue in a polite and respectful manner that reflects well on OHYA.
Do not post content that would harm OHYA or damage OHYA’s reputation. Remember that even while you are on your own personal time, you are a representative of OHYA, and people may interpret your online postings or social interactions as though they were official OHYA statements.
Use good judgment when posting comments on any official OHYA sites. Bear in mind that your comments can create liability for OHYA. If you are unsure whether a comment is appropriate to post, either do not post it or obtain prior approval from the Board of Directors.
Be smart about what you publish. Once something is posted, it exists online forever. Ask yourself, “would I want to see this published in the newspaper or posted on a billboard tomorrow or ten years from now?” If the answer is “no,” do not post.
Encourage others to engage in positive interactions on social media. If you are concerned about any OHYA Member’s use of social media, please bring your concerns to the attention of your sport coordinator or a member of the OHYA Board of Directors.
Personally identifiable information (information, such as a name and date of birth and/or a street address which, when taken together, can identify a particular individual) should not be disclosed in any manner on official OHYA social networking sites without the approval of the sport coordinator or OHYA Board of Directors.
Violations of the Social Media Policy
The OHYA Board of Directors shall have the authority to monitor and enforce this Social Media Policy. The OHYA Board of Directors, and any individual appointed by the Board of Directors, shall have the authority to remove any inappropriate or offensive comments from official OHYA sites and to block any individual or organization from posting on any official OHYA social media platform if they determine, in their sole discretion, that such removal or block is in the best interests of OHYA.
The failure of any OHYA Member to adhere to this Social Media Policy shall be considered a violation of the OHYA Code of Conduct, and any OHYA Member who fails to adhere to this Social Media Policy shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of such individual’s involvement in OHYA, in accordance with the OHYA Disciplinary Procedures.
Adopted by the OHYA Board of Directors: _________________________________
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