Royal Guernsey Golf Club - Social Media Policy


Royal Guernsey Golf Club (RGGC) is committed to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy environment, for all of our members, guests and employees.
Set out below are the expectations of RGGC relating to the use of social media websites which should be mainly used as a way of passing on information rather than a marketing tool.

Background
The web is not anonymous, users of social media websites should be aware that when using websites
• Any comments made can be traced back to them as individuals or to the Club in general.
• A clear distinction between their activities as a Member and their personal activities undertaken outside of Royal Guernsey Golf Club is required.
• The use of these websites can also be abused and potentially damage the reputation of Royal Guernsey Golf Club, and in extreme cases result in legal proceedings being brought.
• The Internet is a fast-moving technology and it is impossible to cover all circumstances.

Online activity
Members must not:
• Use as a formal correspondence to the Board or Management, inappropriate correspondences will be removed. The Board and Management will not reply using social media.
• Interfere with club operational commitments
• Post or link to libelous, defamatory or harassing content, including by way of examples
• Post or link to pornographic or indecent content
• Comment on or publish information that is confidential or proprietary to RGGC or its affiliates
• Bring Royal Guernsey Golf Club into disrepute
• Use the Royal Guernsey Golf Club brand to endorse or promote any product, opinion, cause or political candidate. It must be abundantly clear to any other user that any opinions expressed by a member are personal opinions only and do not represent the views of RGGC.

Use of official Royal Guernsey Golf Club blogs, social pages and online forums
• Posts must not contain or link to pornographic or indecent content;
• RGGC has the right to remove any content it deems to be inappropriate
• Members must not promote personal projects or opinions
• All materials published or used must respect the copyright of third parties

Consideration towards other Members when using Social Networking sites
Social media websites allow photographs, videos and comments to be shared with other users.
- It is not appropriate to share club-related information in unauthorised social media forums without approval from the Club Manager
- Members must be considerate to other Members, Staff and Club and must remove information about a Member or the Club when requested by the Member or the Club.
- Under no circumstance should offensive comments be made about RGGC, Members and Staff online. This is deemed a disciplinary matter.
- Members are encouraged to use their best judgment in deciding if or at what level they want to connect with other Members on social Media websites. RGGC will support Members decisions to keep online relationships strictly professional.
- Be respectful, polite and patient, when engaging in conversations on RGGC’s behalf.
- Users should avoid speaking on matters outside their field of expertise when possible. Everyone should be careful not to answer questions or make statements that fall under somebody else’s responsibility.

USE OF OFFICIAL ACCOUNTS
Royal Guernsey Golf Club operates a number of accounts on social media websites for the promotion of activities and events, and as a communication method. The following outlines the limits of their use:
- a) An official account on any social media website may only be set-up with written consent from the Board via the Club Manager.
- b) Only authorised members may use these accounts to post online and access to the account should be strictly limited.
- c) All information published on the Internet must comply with the Club’s confidentiality and data protection policies.
- d) Copyright laws must be respected, with references or sources cited appropriately.
- e) Any member who becomes aware of social networking activity that would be deemed distasteful should make the Club Manager aware as soon as possible.

All members using official accounts must adhere to the above guidelines; breach of this Policy may result in administrative access being removed.


NOTE: Any media enquiries must be referred to the Club Manager in the first instance.


January 2019