Social Media Policy

Social Media Policy V1.0

Major Taylor Cycling Club Chicago

Major Taylor Cycling Club Chicago (“MTC3”) recognizes the importance of the Internet in shaping the public’s perception of our organization. MTC3 also recognizes the importance of our Board members, committee members and general members in leading and setting the tone of social media interactions in a manner that advances MTC3’s mission and goals.

DEFINITIONS

Social media are defined as media designed to be disseminated through social interaction, created using highly accessible and scalable publishing techniques online. Examples include but are not limited to: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn, Strava, Garmin Connect, MyFitnessPal .

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Major Taylor Cycling Club Chicago (MTC3) is to promote good health by supporting recreational and social cycling activities in the community. Our membership is open to all, regardless of race, creed, or skill level. We are dedicated to safe and enjoyable cycling, with rides offered for all ages and abilities. We do this with inspiration from our namesake, Marshall “Major” Taylor, who in 1899, became the 1st African-American world champion in cycling.

APPLICABILITY

This Social Media Policy applies to all Board members, committee members, and volunteers (“MTC3 Members”). This Social Media Policy applies to all social media content posted by MTC3 Members in their professional and personal capacity to the extent such content is related to MTC3.

ASPIRATIONS

MTC3 strives to promote good health by supporting recreational and social cycling activities in the community. In furtherance of this goal, MTC3 aspires to engage members of the internet community in positive, honest, transparent, and knowledgeable dialogue about MTC3 through social media. MTC3 views social media as an important tool for communicating its successes and opportunities for athletic and individual development. MTC3 also views social media as a platform for receiving constructive feedback from the community and for discussing MTC3’s challenges and opportunities for improvement in a positive and constructive way.

GUIDELINES

All MTC3 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 MTC3 Board of Directors for advice on how to disengage from the dialogue in a polite and respectful manner that reflects well on MTC3.

  1. Do not post content that would harm MTC3 or damage MTC3’s reputation. Remember that even while you are on your own personal time, you are a representative of MTC3, and people may interpret your online postings or social interactions as though they were official MTC3 statements.
  2. Use good judgment when posting comments on any official MTC3 sites. Bear in mind that your comments can create liability for MTC3. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Encourage others to engage in positive interactions on social media. If you are concerned about any MTC3 Member’s use of social media, please bring your concerns to the attention of a member of the MTC3 Board of Directors.
  5. 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 MTC3 social networking sites without the approval of the MTC3 Board of Directors.

VIOLATIONS OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

The MTC3 Board of Directors shall have the authority to monitor and enforce this Social Media Policy. The MTC3 Board of Directors, and any individual appointed by the Board of Directors, shall have the authority to remove any inappropriate or offensive comments from MTC3 sites and to block any individual or organization from posting on any official MTC3 social media platform if they determine, in their sole discretion, that such removal or block is in the best interests of MTC3.

The failure of any MTC3 Member to adhere to this Social Media Policy shall be considered a violation of the MTC3 Code of Conduct, and any MTC3 Member who fails to adhere to this Social Media Policy shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or revocation of membership.